Houlton area From our Files – Week of February 22, 2023

1 year ago

75 Years Ago Feb. 19, 1948

Houlton Man Leads Maine N.Y. Life Agents in ‘47 – Charles W. Harmon of Houlton, Maine, a representative of the New York Life Insurance Company, in 1947 for the third successive year led all agents of the company in the number of new applications for life insurance. It has been announced by Dudley Dowell, vice-president of the company. 

New Pastor Feted At Island Falls – John E. Nelson, who was called to serve the Whittier Congregational Church, has taken up residence in the parsonage and opened his pastorate here. He comes to Island Falls after having served for five years as minister of Newington Town church (Congregational) of Newington, N. H., the oldest Congregational Church in continuous use in the United States. 

50 Years Ago Feb. 21, 1973

First Day Care Center Is Operating In Houlton – Mrs. Marie Williams, a personable and capable individual, is operating the first licensed day care home in Houlton, and is caring for Andrew and Jody Brown, children of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Brown. It is the hope of the Community Coordinated Child Care Association and the Health and Welfare Department that more women will be interested in becoming day care mothers. 

Major Burton Is Serving At Base In Japan – U.S. Air Force Major Donald E. Burton, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Burton of Oakfiled, has arrived for duty at Tachikawa AB, Japan. Major Burton is chief of medical material services at USAF Hospital. He previously served at the U.S. Air Force Academy. The major, a 1951 graduate of Oakfield Community High School, attended the University of Maine at Orono. He was commissioned in 1957 by direct appointment. 

25 Years Ago March 4, 1998

Linneus opens recreation department – Emerging from near destruction, the Linneus Recreation Department was conceived. The recreational department is found housed within the Community Center, which is located a quarter of a mile past the blinking lights in Linneus. It is the site of the former Roosevelt School.  Last October, according to Recreational Director Carrie Palmer, the Linneus Town Selectmen called a special town meeting to vote on whether to allow the volunteer fire department to utilize the vacant gymnasium space.

Officials lean toward new, improved arena –  Before the John A. Millar Arena in Houlton is rebuilt, officials are considering expanding its space and scope. A group looking at arena options met recently to discuss what features they would like in the new building. The group hasn’t made a decision yet on which direction to take, but there are a lot of ideas. “We’re still trying to work out the format and a list of what events could be held at the arena,” said Houlton Parks and Recreation Superintendent Gary Edwards. Officials want to design the new arena to seat more people, have a solid floor and have wider use than the old facility. Possible uses could include concerts, shows, home shows, exhibitions and circuses.