Houlton area From our Files – Week of March 16, 2020

4 years ago

100 Years Ago – Mar. 24, 1920

     Main Street block sold The second important transfer that has taken place in the last few days was Monday when T. V. Holdaway and Ray L. Young purchased from John A. Tenney the McLeod store, so called, and this too is a valuable piece of property.

As soon as Mr. McLeod cleans up his stock from this store, the Houlton Meat Supply will move and occupy this centrally located business block. The price paid was a fancy one, and even at that this is one of the best located blocks for doing business and goes to show what real estate in Houlton is worth.

     Returned from trip R.L. Berry and wife and Mrs. Claire French returned Saturday from Boston where they attended the Auto Show.

75 Years Ago – Mar. 22, 1945

     Blood donor clinic One hundred and four donors gave their blood at the Blood Donor Clinic held Sunday at the Madigan Memorial Hospital. Miss Ellen Newbegin, as chairman of the Blood Donor Service, wishes to thank all those who made the clinic a success in every way. 

     Reelects president Mrs. J.K. McKay was reelected president of the Patroness Association of the Madigan Memorial Hospital at the annual business meeting that was held at her home on Saturday.

50 Years Ago – Mar. 25, 1970

     New Business for Danforth The town of Danforth enjoyed its first ribbon cutting ceremony in many years when a new coin operated laundromat called the Country Wash Tub officially opened its doors for business. Mrs. Joan Chadwick, owner and manager of the business, stated that the equipment includes eight Maytag washers, two Big Boy washer-extractors and six Hoyt dryers. With her for the ribbon cutting were Sherrill Colford, second selectman of Danforth, and Clarence More, third selectman.

     Souvenir album Lewis Potter, president of the Houlton Chamber of Commerce, presented a souvenir album for the U. S. Air Force Band to Town Manager Arthur Curtis. 

25 Years Ago – Mar. 22, 1995

    Roll out the barrel What Aroostook product is sold in Sweden, Saudi Arabia, Finland, Germany, Japan and Mexico? The humble potato barrel. Bradbury Barrels in Bridgewater makes these barrels and employs about 25 people involved in the process. According to Wayne Bradbury, who helps run the operation, the company’s barrels distinguish themselves from the competition with traditional Aroostook tongue-and-groove barrel construction. Adelle Bradbury, Wayne’s mother, is president of the company her husband Bill took over in 1978. Wayne estimates that the company is about 70 years old.

    Announced appointment— Arlene Pelletier-Keaton, director of the Aroostook Retired and Senior Program (RSVP), has announced the appointment of Mary Lawler of Patten as RSVP coordinator of the greater southern Aroostook area. Lawler currently resides in Patten and is a native of Island Falls.