Houlton area From our Files – Week of March 8, 2023

1 year ago

75 Years Ago, March 4, 1948

Pierson Is Named As Exalted Ruler – Earl Pierson was nominated for exalted ruler of the Houlton Lodge of Elks at a meeting held Tuesday night. He was named to succeed Thomas C. Vose who has served the lodge for the past year.

Election will be held at the next meeting, March 16 and the new officers will be installed April 6. George E. Roach, who has served as secretary of the lodge since the death of John K. Palmer tendered his resignation and Keith Lilley was named to assume this position.

Nine Aroostook Utility Companies Vote Protest Of Higher Rate Schedule – Representatives of nine public utility companies serving Aroostook County, at a meeting held in Mars HIll yesterday afternoon, unanimously agreed to protest the new company and took steps to translate their decision into prompt action by requesting that a hearing be held as soon as convenient. 

50 Years Ago, March 7, 1973

Walter Peabody Elected President Of Chamber – Walter J. Peabody, treasurer of the Houlton Savings Bank, was elected president of the Houlton Chamber of Commerce during its annual meeting Wednesday afternoon at the Northland Hotel. Mr. Peabody will succeed Gary L. Adams as head of the Chamber. Also elected for the coming year were Robert Matthews as vice president and Herschel McIntosh as treasurer.

Pack 157 Makes Awards At Blue Gold Banquet – The first Blue and Gold banquet for Cub Scout Pack 157 of Houlton was held at the new Houlton Elementary School Tuesday. A pot luck supper was served. Special guests present were Roger Gergent, institutional representative, Dick O’Leary, neighborhood commissioner; Arnold Duff, president of the PTA; Jay Brewer principal of the elementary school and parents. Scoutmaster Gene Ross awarded the bob cat pin to Leo Southerland in the presence of his parents with instructions to wear it upside down until a good deed has been done by the scout. Receiving the wolf badge (first-year star) was Mark Sinclair. Also awarded was wolf badge, gold arrow point and silver arrow points to Eugene Cole Awarded the wolf badge were Shawn Nickerson, Arden Williams, Barton Newhouse Jr., Richard Miller and Philip Grant Jr. Also awarded the engineer activity badge to Duane Williams, Dave Hogan, Jeffery Pride, Christopher Anderson, Walter Burlock and Michael Lenentine.

25 Years Ago, March 18, 1998

Monticello approves $1,500 for basketball court – Monticello residents approved a $185,147 budget for 1998 at their annual town meeting Monday night. The budget was $1,500 higher than the proposed budget as residents unanimously decided to raise and appropriate the money for a new basketball court for local kids. The current basketball court, located near the baseball field, is worn and could pose several risks for children.

Local bank donates money to foundation – The Houlton Regional Health Services Foundation is now $25,000 richer. At a luncheon held last Thursday, Katahdin Trust Company presented the Foundation with a check. “The new Center for Community Health Education serves a significant portion of our market area and is a wonderful asset for this region,” said Jon Prescott, president of Katahdin Trust Company. “We are celebrating our 80th anniversary this year and as a part of our on-going commitment to the communities in Southern Aroostook, we are extremely proud to support a project dedicated to enhancing the lives and health care of area residents,” Prescott said.