From our Files: Headlines from 100 years of local news

Compiled by Karen Donato
Special to the Pioneer Times
100 Years Ago-Feb. 22, 1911
Aroostook Times
    Chamber of Commerce — The gathering of business and professional men at Mansur Hall is one of which any town might feel proud. An impressive number of young men who are and of late years have been assuming the active business interests in Houlton. Hon. James Archibald, presided at the recent meeting in the absence of President Elect William A. Martin.
    Memorial recital — An occasion of unusual promise for the future of musical matters in Houlton was the recital given at the Congregational Vestry by the pupils of Mrs. Maty Burpee.
    Landmark destroyed — The Lafayette Hotel located on Main Street was destroyed by fire last week. The loss was $35,000 with only $12,000 worth of insurance coverage. Robert Hull, the barber who was burned out has leased a chair room in the Mansur Block next door to the First National Bank; in the store occupied by Mr. Clark’s Amusement Parlor.
75 Years Ago-Feb. 20, 1936
Houlton Pioneer Times
    Valentine’s Tea — Mrs. Isabelle Hess entertained a number of friends at a delightful Valentine Tea Friday at her home on Court Street, the decorations in keeping with the holiday.
    Travel plans — George Haskell plans to leave Thursday for Boston on a business trip. His daughter, Mrs. Thomas Vose plans to leave Friday for Boston and will be joined in Waterville by her brother, Floyd Haskell, a Colby student who will also spend the weekend in the city.
    Hammond — Owing to the drifted roads, it was considered advisable to discontinue the school bus on the back Ludlow Road, driven by Miles Clark and the three scholars that had been conveyed to Moose Brook School are being taught by Miss Martha Oliver at the home of her father, Fred Oliver.   
50 Years Ago- Feb. 23, 1961
Houlton Pioneer Times
    Tuition increase — Ricker College announces an inevitable tuition increase to $750 for the 1961-62 academic year.
    Lilley Farm — The loose-housing dairy operation built by Burns Lilley of Smyrna was featured in the March Eastern States Cooperator magazine. This magazine will go into 100,000 farm homes in the Northeast.
1961 HHS Yearbook Photo
SHIRETOWNERS — The members of the 1961 Houlton High School varsity boys basketball team were from left in front, Coach Eugene ‘Dint’ Lovely, Ronald Downie, Rodney Doody, Ted Mason, Tim Taylor, Vaughn Hersey, Dick Nason and Oscar Grant, Jr. Back row, manager, Joel McLaughlin, Peter Lambert, Alan Burton, George Embleton, Dick Felker, John Fitzpatrick and Jim Smith, manager. Not pictured was Johnny Gildart, another key player for the team. Seeded eighth in the LL tournament, they lost to top-seeded, Presque Isle, 83-75.
    Town manager — After interviewing 20 applicants for the position of Houlton town manager left vacant by Robert E. Curtis, the Town Council selected Walter Benson 49, of Gardiner.
    Engagement — Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Ricker of Littleton, wish to announce the engagement of their daughter Ardella Grace to Eldon Arthur Bennett, son of Geneva and Arthur Bennett.   
25 Years Ago-Feb. 19, 1986
Houlton Pioneer Times
    Tourney time — Both Houlton girls and boys teams will be at the Bangor Auditorium participating the Eastern Maine Tournament. Both teams are top seeded. The Houlton girls are defending state champions in Class B and the boys will be making their second appearance in 13 years. They are coached by Brian Plourde.
    Cook-out — The annual Log Drivers Festival, began 15 years ago when about 100 persons gathered on snow sleds at Mud Lake in Island Falls. It is expected that upwards of 1,000 persons will attend the now famous cookout this year.
    Honored — Charles Smart and Darrell Tidd received gifts from the Staley Manufacturing Co, for completion of 25 years employment.
    Nurses aides — Six students enrolled in the SAVE program have successfully completed the nursing assistant course. They are, Barbara Rockwell, Carolyn Crandall, Melinda Grant, Ann Wright, Karen Hoffman and Rosalinda Richardson. Dorothy Armstrong was the instructor.