— Socrates A group of folks was recently reminiscing about the

Biddeford days before many of the businesses left. We are fortunate that communities and neighborhoods are still places where people live as neighbors. A place safe and life meaningful. A place where folks socialize, laugh, eat, and enjoy each other. It is common knowledge that true happiness and a meaningful day-to-day life comes through work and connection with others. The good news is that we keep the deepest meanings of life: richness of family, friends and personal communications. We cherish and want to keep the spirit that flows over our shores.

We spoke of Youlands as one of the businesses that closed. It reminds us of wonderful people that were in our life. I can still see the small man stooped over his workbench repairing jewelry with his hands and special goggles perched upon his forehead. He learned jewelry repair from Roger Labbe over 30 years at Youlands. Labbe was a watchmaker who went to Waltham and Bouleva schools in New York and Connecticut.

Walter Buczacy is now the owner of Walter’s Watch and Jewelry Repair at 238 Main St. in Biddeford. He was always “wowing” us by mending our broken jewelry. Walter’s contented smile reflects that he has lived a life to which he felt drawn. He has a unique purpose that is distinctly different. He lives and radiates an authentically directed life dwelling peacefully and quietly in his work.

Roger Buczacy grew up in New Jersey and came to Maine in 1966 to attend the University of Maine in Orono, where he earned a BS in biology. He also worked the darkroom and was on the school paper. He was casting around trying to settle on a career. He was a temporary mail carrier and worked in Greenwich Village. As a youngster, he took great satisfaction in photography, and he still does.

Walter is acutely aware of the beauty in the environment. He organizes his collection, and the beautiful landscapes and more are on display at his shop. He specializes in finding the right balance of scenes. Their message is meaningful to Roger, and he hopes they will be to other people. He gathers up his hopes and keeps moving forward with his passion for photography. His first exhibits to sell started at the Mill and Oceanpark.

As a youngster in the 10th grade, he was interested in organic farming, which he still does.

He smiles and twinkles when he speaks of his family. He married Michelle Labbe, who is a nurse. The Buczacys have two children, Anna and Nathan. Nathan has two sons, and Anna has learned basic watch repair and engraving.

Walter is following a dream to accomplish something that drew him.

— Zaffie Hadiaris of Saco is the host of “Zaffie,” a weekly television talk show on Channel 3 Biddeford public access. It can also be seen at biddefordmaine.org. Contact Hadiaris at [email protected].