By Cary Brunswick

                                                                News from March 1926

Calno Baker, Franklin County’s leading violinist years ago, won the county fiddling competition held at City Hall. Sherman Parker took second place, and Baxter Weed third. Baker then went to Rutland to represent the county in the state contest and was voted the best player. Players were judged on their rendition of “Turkey in the Straw” for technic, expression and fidelity to old-time music. He had said he wasn’t looking forward to “making the hard trip to Rutland” but would do it to keep Franklin County on the map.

The annual St. Patrick’s Day banquet this week at St. Mary’s hall had its usual success, with 577 people sitting down to “a most excellent meal.” S.J. Driscoll presided for the after-dinner program that included a chorus of girls singing “The Dear Little Shamrock.” H.A. Dowling sang “Kavanaugh” and Mrs. John Hurley recited John Boyle O’Reilly’s “Feast of the Gael.”

The Rev. T.A. Nolin, pastor of St. Patrick’s Church in Fairfield, told parishioners Sunday that he was being transferred to Woodstock. During his four years in Fairfield, Rev. Nolin reduced the church’s debt from $9,000 to about $800.

Congress Street will be roped off tomorrow night as usual for those who wish to go sliding.

Three Quebec men were apprehended this week near North Hero after they crossed the border with a sleigh full of liquor. Customs officers caught up with the trio and a search of the sleigh disclosed 144 bottles of hard liquors. Two of the men resisted arrest and had to be forcibly subdued while the third man fled. He was chased for more than two miles through deep snow before he surrendered.

A play titled “The Prime of His Life” was given last evening in the Bay Town Hall before a good-sized crowd by the Georgia Players for the benefit of the Stone School House. Dancing was enjoyed after the performance with the Lang Orchestra furnishing music until midnight.

MP Bontrest, a member of Canada’s Dominion Parliament for Labelle, told the House of Commons that he was informed by the head of the British navy that Great Britain would never defend Canada against possible aggression from the United States.

Ted’s Sweet Shop at 12 N. Main St. has specials for Easter eggs, bunnies, roosters, turkeys and fancy chocolate baskets.

Franklin County fiddler wins state championship

The ministers of St. Albans met at The Tavern this week and formed a club to be known as The Ministers Club of St. Albans. The Rev. T.L. Drury was elected president, and the Rev. J. Graydon Brown secretary.

American Legion officials reported that the recent minstrel show raised about $1,100 to aid disabled Great War service men and their families. Reports said the event raised much more than expected, and that those involved should be proud and the community thanked for their support.

Oliver Turner was fined $10 in city court this week on a larceny charge for stealing coal from a coal car in the rear of the Central Vermont Railway shops.

A St. Albans Men’s Club has formed with the following officers: President, M.N. Buck; vice-president, H.W. Wood; and secretary-treasurer, W.C. Hamm. The mission of the club is to “stimulate interest in matters of public importance and to provide opportunity for discussion and enlightenment regarding subjects of general interest.”

Miss Croft and Miss Clark, graduates of the Posse-Nissen School of Physical Education and Massage, have opened a fitness and massage business at 21 So. Main St.