Houlton area From our Files – Week of August 31, 2022

2 years ago

75 Years Ago – Aug. 28, 1947

Madigan gets recognition — One of Maine Polio Reconstruction Centers- A well – organized and enthusiastic group of the first division appeal solicitors for the Madigan Memorial Hospital Appeal Fund began activities Tuesday. Under the leadership of James B. Callnan, a rally was staged at Fitzpatrick’s newly-opened dance pavilion Monday evening.

During the meeting which was called as a school of instruction for appeal solicitors, many of the team members turned in their personal subscriptions. No reports of amounts received by the campaign fund are to be published until the third meeting of the appeal organization is held. Chairman Callnan advised the general committee that the amount received showed a remarkably large amount per capita contribution and a grand total that would be an inspiration for those who are going ahead to work for the needs of the community demands.

Graduation for Day Camp Friday — The Houlton Recreation Department’s Day Camp for GIrls will close Friday with an attractive program which will be held at the Recreation Center at 7:45 p.m. For the past seven weeks approximately 200 girls have been experiencing the thrill of camping and its many pleasures right in the community. The youngsters have been exposed to many interesting, entertaining and educational activities. The net result has been a summer filled with pleasure and participation in healthy, constructive experiences. 

50 Years Ago – Aug. 30, 1972

Smith & Wesson Will Expand Houlton Plant — An expansion program that will nearly double the size of the Smith & Wesson plant on the Bangor Road, and nearly double its number of employees, has been announced by the Houlton Regional Development Corporation. The enlarged facility, according to plant manager John Fitzpatrick, is designed to manufacture gun parts and experimental components. Smith & Wesson, long a leader in the manufacture of handguns, is now marketing long guns and has selected the Houlton plant to manufacture the new gun mechanisms.  The addition will be 30 by 60 feet, so when the addition is completed the building will be 70 by 60 feet. 

Post office will move — The U.S. Postal Service, which has been operating out of temporary  quarters on School Street for nearly a year, will be back in its Court Street location as of Monday morning. The move will be done over the three-day weekend, and although the lobby at the Court Street building will be open to patrons at 8:30 Monday morning, only box service will be available because of the holiday schedule. 

25 Years Ago – Sept. 10, 1997

Girls soccer is going at full speed — The Hodgdon Lady Hawks are continuing their drive toward postseason, recording four wins, one tie and three losses. Last week, the Lady Hawks nearly escaped the Katahdin Cougars as they pulled out a late 1-0 win. With less than 14 minutes left in the game, Sarah E. Stewart crossed the ball in front of Katahdin’s net, pulling Katahdin goalie Laura Ordway out of position. Ordway couldn’t recover in time to stop Carrie Edwards from scoring.

HHS golfers at 6-6 — Andy Guy has been keeping a torrid shooting pace, leading his Houlton High School varsity golf team to a 6-6 season record. Guy has earned low medalist honor eight times in 12 matches. His latest accomplishments were in contests against Madawaska, Caribou, Calais/Woodland and Limestone. At Birch Point Golf Club, he scored a 42 and earlier in the week, at home, he finished with a 41. He shot back-to-back 38s against Limestone and Calais/Woodland to pace his team in their victories.