In this interview, Ms. Jones, who has lived in Skowhegan for 67 years, shared with us about her life and about her experience in 1st and 2nd grade and Bloomfield Academy. She explains to us that she and her husband used to be beekeepers, and they also raised coon and hunting dogs. They also pulled some of the horses that they raised at some of the fairs around Maine.

    Peggy then explained about her school career at Bloomfield Academy in 1st and 2nd grade. She told us that when she first got to school, they pledged allegiance to the flag and then they said prayer. After they said prayer, the teachers would take attendance, and then they started with schoolwork, which was usually writing, reading, and working on penmanship. She said she also went to other schools in Skowhegan, like the Park School, the Lincoln and Garfield School, the Junior High School, and the High School.

    She then explained to us about how they had to practice for air raids during school and when she was at home. She said the sirens went off usually from darkness on, and they had to get under something safe so they could be most protected. Usually at school it was her desk and at home it was a table. She also explained how people had to tape over their headlight three quarters of the way, so they did not attract attention from enemy planes. During the air raid drills, they had to cover up all the windows and turn all the lights off so that if there were enemy planes, they could not see any light.

    We would like to thank Ms. Jones for helping us with this interview and sharing with us what she knew about the past of Skowhegan, Maine.