Voices of Biddeford | A new partnership

The Biddeford Gazette is extremely proud to announce the launch of a new partnership that is sponsored by volunteers from the Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center.

The “Voices of Biddeford” series is produced and coordinated by Nicole Morin -Scribner, a woman who has long been fascinated by Biddeford’s interwoven, personal fabric — the people who live work and play in Biddeford.

There is already an extensive archive of fascinating interviews on the Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center’s website.

Going forward, the Gazette will be able to exclusively feature, promote and share each interview at a special place on our website before it is published by the Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center.

This is so exciting,” said Randy Seaver, the Gazette’s editor and founder. “This is exactly what Laura and I envisioned when we started this venture nearly 18 months ago.”

Seaver says he is hoping that other non-profit community groups and organizations will consider working collaboratively to ensure the widest possible distribution of news, opinion and feature stories connected to Biddeford.

“Our mission is straightforward,” Seaver said. “In everything we do, we work to keep Biddeford people connected to their community on a one-stop platform. I am honored that the Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center is willing to work with us to share their captivating and fascinating stories about the people who make this city tick.”

**AN EXAMPLE OF THE ‘VOICES OF BIDDEFORD’ SERIES**

_____

What is ‘Voices of Biddeford?’

Nicole Morin-Scribner, a volunteer with the Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center describes the series

What is so special about Biddeford that people want to come here, stay, or leave and come back?

Voices of Biddeford is a project inspired by Diane Cyr of the Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center. Since 2018, we have gathered oral histories from more than 60 people who have provided insights on that topic.

From Jennie Aranovitch’s great-grandmother’s harrowing ocean journey from Russia, the countless families who originated from Quebec to work in our mills, the many atrocities some fled and barriers they had to overcome to get here, to some like Delilah Poupore who has lived in other areas of this country but was inspired to engage in contributing to Biddeford’s potential.

My involvement in this project stems from my sister’s great idea to record a conversation I had with my grandmother, Valeda Couture, who shared stories of her life on the family farm in the Beauce region of Quebec. She then related what it was like when seven of her 12 children left that country to move to Biddeford. That recording is a priceless gift treasured by our family and I wanted to find a way to share it with others. Voices of Biddeford was the perfect place to further build a collection of our community’s personal histories.

“You’ve seen them,
you’ve heard of them,
you think you know them.
I am consistently surprised
by their fascinating stories!”
— Nicole Morin Scribner

We made it a point to capture the stories from everyday people: your teacher, coach, barber/hairdresser, grocery store owner, notable local athlete, musician, city government representative or community service provider. You’ve seen them, you’ve heard of them, you think you know them. I am consistently surprised by their fascinating stories! What are the behind-the-scenes experiences of family businesses like Reilly’s Bakery, the Wonderbar, Pizza By Alex, the Puritan or Hope Memorial Chapel?

What are our residents’ countries of origin and how have these different cultures contributed to what we are today? I am continually intrigued to discover the inevitable inter-connections between all of us or the impact that military service has had on peoples’ lives and those of their families. I’ve also been inspired by the major health issues experienced by many and their determination to overcome the resulting hardships.

I have gained so much appreciation for our community and its people through this project! I am confident you will find something of interest when you check it out online at Voices of Biddeford.

You can watch their video or listen to the audio (like a podcast). Click the link “Pictures and additional information” to quickly scroll through relevant pictures and newspaper articles.

Discover for yourself the common thread that why, despite some challenges, so many people have chosen to call Biddeford home.

— Nicole Morin Scribner, volunteer

_____

STAY CONNECTED | SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE TODAY!