‘Fireside Chats’ on local history resume in Saxtons River

SAXTONS RIVER — Main Street Arts and the Saxtons River Historical Society continue the Fireside Chats series Sunday, Jan. 13, at 5:30 p.m., in the dining room of the Saxtons River Inn with an evening of reminiscences by folks who grew up in the village.

Members of the Williams, Campbell, and Aldrich families and others will give new arrivals an idea of what life was like in the '50s, '60s, and '70s when the “River Rats,” as they were known, held sway. Anyone with an early connection to the village is invited to participate.

The series concludes Jan. 20 with local expert Laurence “Skip” Lisle of Grafton speaking on “Beavers: Answering Your Gnawing Questions.”

Lisle is best known for creating the Beaver Deceiver and the Castor Master, devices that make it possible to live in harmony with Castor canadensis.

He received a master's degree in wildlife management from the University of Maine and worked with the Penobscot tribe to help them control beavers while maintaining their habitats, a dedication he continued with the founding of Beaver Deceivers International. He has worked in habitats all over North America and in parts of Europe.

He recommends that those attending read Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter by Ben Goldfarb for good background information.

Attendees are always invited to share their own experiences, photos, artifacts, and stories related to the topic of the evening.

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