In Ye Olden Times

(Continued from Page 1B) curriculum from an early date; alongside Fryeburg Academy, fiddle was actually taught in the music department at Bridgton Academy early in the 19th century, but while music may have been a part of the curriculum, its natural partner, dance, most certainly wasn’t. Dances might well be held in private, or at social functions like barn raisings or husking bees, but for the school itself to host a dance for its student body was a thing beyond the pale. It encouraged fraternization amongst the youth, and who knows to what unwholesome end that might lead. Well, the Trustees of the early Academy knew, or at least thought they did, and they didn’t like the prospect one bit. Imagine school without dances, without homecomings or proms, and that’s exactly what the majority of classes which have ever graduated from Bridgton Academy, or indeed any other old New England Academy, have had to endure.

But not the BA Class of 1866. For that year, for the first time – and certainly the last for several more decades – the students of Bridgton Academy did gather, on school grounds and with permission of the faculty no less, to enjoy a social dance together. And when they did, they danced a Virginia Reel.

Dana W. Watson

Dana E. Watson, 79, of Naples, Maine, passed away Friday, March 24, 2023. He was born on June 3, 1944, the son of Earle and Arona (Wight) Watson of Naples.

Dana was the oldest of four boys. As a young man he could be found working in several areas of the Sebago Lake State Park operating the Locks or Swing Bridge as well as watching over the beaches of the park as a certified life guard.

He graduated from Bridgton High School in 1962. Then, he went on to study automotives at SMVTI in Portland. After graduating from Tech School in 1964 he developed a successful career in automotives as a Volkswagen Certified Mechanic.

Dana later went on to incorporate the use of his antique trucks and hobby of building, moving into a full-time family business for over 30 years until his heath declined. Dana’s hobbies included reading, hunting and collecting a wide variety of antique automobiles and tractors. He also was a Civil War enthusiast and would plan his trips around historic landmarks along the way.

Dana was a big supporter of many local clubs and organizations that shared his same passions. He was also community minded and loved the town of Naples. He served on a variety of town boards and was a selectman for the Town of Naples for over 30 years.

Dana is survived by his wife Meryl J. Watson (Snell) and son Cole R. Watson and wife Shelly. Granddaughters Nicole A. Watson and Ashley R. Watson. Brother, Blair O. Watson and wife Susan all of Naples.

The family would like to thank Beacon Hospice for their continued support and care. In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to make a donation to Beacon Hospice in Dana’s name. Memorial visitation was held from 4-6 p.m., Tuesday, Mar. 28, 2023, at Hall Funeral Home in Casco. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in Naples. www.hallfuneralhome.net.

As Annette F. Barnard of South Bridgton, writing of her time at BA in the 1860s, related in a memoir which was afterwards quoted in the History of Bridgton Academy, she personally bore witness to and indeed participated in the Scandalous Events of May Day, 1866, when the students held a night social on campus under the supervision of Headmaster Charles E. Hilton. This party had everything which a youth could want and a parent could abhor — music, ice cream, and worst of all, dancing. As she says: “One more ‘notable event’ was the May night social in Gould’s Hall when the girls made ice cream in the basement with but little help from the boys, who were very ready to eat the finished product. The evening was especially notable because it was the first time a dance was allowed the Academy students, and I think the last for a long time. After an elaborate ‘promenade’ with as many intricate figures as the leader could devise, a young man from Bangor called ‘Billy Blake,’ more used to social life than the rest of us, approached Mr. Hilton, who was present, and asked if we might dance a Virginia Reel. Mr. Hilton hesitated only a little and then said he saw no objections. Two lines were quickly formed and I think they tried the ‘Lancers,’ which was hardly a success. Does anyone dance the Lancers or a Virginia Reel nowadays? The evening closed decently and in order, but that was not the end. The next day the whole village knew of our ‘doings,’ and at the next meeting of the board of elderly trustees, Mr. Hilton was censured, and he was informed of their disapproval. Mr. Hilton felt that he had done no wrong, and it was one of the causes that led to his resignation the next year and his finding a wider sphere of usefulness in Washington, D.C.” over a century and a half ago, provoked village wide outrage and led to the resignation of an otherwise wellrespected and qualified headmaster whose primary fault was only that “he saw no objections” in a Virginia Reel. I can certainly say that all who were present this past weekend would agree with him, and I’d bet most of our readers will, as well.

Be kind

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We can have wide impact, as acts of kindness help us, the people we reach, and even the “kindness bystanders” who watch or hear about our actions. As you think about setting Golden Rule goals, remember the words of the Dalai Lama: “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.”

Melinda Burrell, PhD, syndicated by PeaceVoice, is a former humanitarian aid worker and now trains on the neuroscience of communication and conflict. She is vice-chair of the National Association for Community Mediation, which offers resources for community approaches to difficult issues.