Houlton area From our Files – Week of January 12, 2022

2 years ago

115 Years Ago – Jan. 9, 1907

Rockabema Lodge – – Rockabema Lodge I. O. O. F. have elected the following officers for the ensuing year: N. G., Chas. A. Lyons; V. G, O. A. Jacobs; secretary, C.B Whitcomb; and treasurer, Geo. H. Wiggin. Mr. C. L. Fox, who has been secretary of the lodge during the last 10 years, was obliged to resign the office this year on account of poor health.

The installation takes place on Thursday night.

Turn-of-the-century prices — M.C. Somerville listed for sale the following: 20 pounds of sugar for $1.50 and three cans of Maine corn for 25 cents.

75 Years Ago – Jan. 16, 1947

Nurse’s cap awarded – – Smyrna girl, Miss Ena E. Noyes, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Noyes of Smyrna Mills, a junior in the school of nursing at Simmons College, received her white nurse’s cap at an annual capping ceremony held in the college auditorium Sunday, Jan. 12, as a symbol that her pre-clinical nursing studies at the college have been completed. 

Hodgdon for the win – The Hodgdon boys went on a scoring spree at Wytopitlock last week when they soundly trounced their opponent 65-33. Benn was very effective under the basket, scoring 27 points. 

50 Years Ago – Jan. 12, 1972

Houlton hospital  — Houlton’s two hospitals now have a single name. Justice James P. Archibald has announced that the compelge physical merger of the Aroostook General Hospital and the Madigan Memorial Hospital became final as of January 1. The combined facilities will now be known as the Houlton Regional Hospital, School Street Division and Military Street Division. Justice Archibald, who is president of the board of the Houlton Regional Hospital, also announced that Sister Mary Corinne, administrator at the Madigan Memorial Hospital since 1966, has been appointed administrator of the Houlton Regional Hospital.

Sampson’s Supermarket — Spaghetti sauce is on sale for 19 cents, with bananas only 29 cents for 2 pounds. 

25 Years Ago – Jan. 22, 1997

New business in town – –  Chalmerize, an automotive detailing service, has set up a shop on Military Street near the top of Drake’s Hill in Houlton. Attending the official ribbon cutting ceremony last week were, left to right, Walter Goodrich of the Retail Trade Board; Robert Reece, President of the Greater Houlton Area Chamber of Commerce; Nancy Ketch, Executive Director of the Chamber; co-owners Sandy Karnes and her husband Chalmer, Allan Bean, Houlton Town Manager; and Cathy Davis, Chair of the Houlton Town Council.

Updated police barracks — While the snow fell from darkened skies, “the sun was shining” inside the state police barracks in Houlton last week. Reacting to new that Maine’s Legislature had just approved $5 million is spending for capital improvement, and that part of those funds will be destined for the North Road Trooper facility, Troop F commander Lt. Barry Smith said the news was welcome and long overdue.