Mahone Bay Old School_A Life and Times_Bob Sayer

Forew0rd
The Mahone Bay School Oral History Project was launched jointly in 2004
by Bob Sayer and the Mahone Bay Centre. Since then, Bob has interviewed
more than 50 former students, teachers, and officials to capture their stories
of the “life and times” of the old school. What started out as a fairly modest
enterprise, has grown into an extensive collection of historical record and
personal memories of people and events over almost a century. In addition,
Bob’s extensive research and personal contacts have led to a compilation of
a remarkable collection of photographs, documents, newspaper articles, and
other memorabilia. The large “coffee-table” format is designed to enable
easy access to the rich treasures. It should provide hours of information,
entertainment, and fun, perhaps around the kitchen table with family and
friends, for years to come.
The board wishes to express its appreciation to Bob Sayer for undertaking
this daunting enterprise and seeing it through to completion. He has produced
a richly documented account, and carried it off with flair. We see the
result as a major contribution to the life of our community.
We wish to express our thanks to the Nova Scotia Department of Tourism,
Culture, and Hereitage, the Town of Mahone Bay, and individual donors
for their generous financial support for this project. We are also grateful to
the civic-minded business leaders who contributed through paid advertisements.
Their support continues to enrich our community.
The old school was at the heart of the Mahone Bay community for almost a
century. The story of its foundation and perseverance through some tough
times is a testimony to the vision, courage, and determination of the people
of Mahone Bay. The accomplishments and many stories of the good times
and wonderful people speak to the strong sense of community that the
school inspired. It is our hope that the same spirit can be kept alive and
enriched through the many activities of the Mahone Bay Centre, “building at
the heart of the community”.
Paul Seltzer
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Mahone Bay Centre Society
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