Lorna (Hood) McCutcheon
I was born in Magaguadavic. My parents were Walter and Elizabeth (Grieve) Hood. I was the second child in a family of five.
In those days you always started school in the spring. After my older sister, Frances, started school, I missed her terribly and begged my mother to let me also go. Although I was only four, my mother relented and I was allowed to accompany my sister. I recall walking over the hill with the other Hood girls. When we reached the top of the hill, someone pointed out the school. However, since I was so small, all I could see was the rail fence and the tall grass.
Our school was a one-room school with forty children. There were large families in the community, therefore enrollment was high. Grades one to eight were taught by one teacher. My first teacher was Rhoda Young. Her father ran the York Hotel in Fredericton.
After completing Grade eight, my sister, Francis and I were allowed to continue with Grade nine. For Grades ten and eleven (there wasn't any Grade twelve) we attended the Fredericton High School. At that time, the Fredericton High School was located at what is now the George Street Junior High School. Although not in our home class, Dr. George Fletcher, who later lived and worked in Harvey, also was attending the Fredericton High School. While going to High School, my sister and I boarded at Mrs. Greene's. Her boarding house was located across the street from the old Victoria Public Hospital.
After graduating from high school, I went on to attend normal school, graduating in 1939. While there, I was able to see King George VI and Queen Elizabeth during their visit to Fredericton. From stands in front of the Normal School, we were able to view their procession as it went up Queen Street.
My first teaching position was at a small one-room school at Prince William Station. There were six children. I boarded at Jamieson's during the week but did get home on the weekends. During the winter, I would occasionally walk the five miles to home. I was paid $37.50 a month; $12.00 of which paid for my board. I went on a spending spree, ordering from the Eaton's catalogue.
During the course of my career, I taught in several areas in New Brunswick; Rollingdam, Upper Dumfries, Plaster Rock, Grand Manan, Hillsborough, Petitcodiac, St. Andrews, Magaguadavic, and McAdam. Each area was unique whether it was a farming or a lumbering community, a mining or a fishing community. The interests of my students were varied.
St. Andrews was the most expensive place to live. Although I was paid more ($120.00 a month) in St. Andrews, the cost of living was higher (board was $60.00 a month). I purchased very little here, choosing to go to St. Stephen for shopping.
I returned to Magaguadavic in 1949 to teach in the new one-room school. Compared to the majority of one-room schools, this one was ultra modern. There was indoor plumbing, a wood furnace and electricity. I remained here for eleven years.
In 1960 I began teaching at the McAdam High School. Initially, I was hired to teach Grade eight but by 1965 I was also teaching academic history to Grades 11 and 12. The last few years, until I retired in 1976, I taught only history.