75 Years Ago – October 13, 1949
Local Schools Take Part In Fire Program — Several local officials visited all local schools Tuesday morning and witnessed fire drills in connection with local observance of Fire Prevention Week sponsored by the fire prevention committee of the Chamber of Commerce. Those who made the inspection tour were: Francis Gooch, chairman of the Chamber Fire Prevention Committee, Fire Chief Guy Smith, Supt. of Schools George Cumming and Louis Abrams, Chamber Secretary. President Truman, in proclaiming Fire Prevention Week, October 9 to 15, said “I earnestly request that during the week all of us undertake a year-round campaign against destructive fires in our homes and in our communities. Circulars containing information on how to prevent fires were distributed to business establishments and public buildings by Boy Scouts as part of the week long program, Mr. Gooch said.
Newspaper Day At U. of M. Orono Friday — One of the special features of Maine Newspaper Day at the University of Maine Friday, will be an exhibition of commercial printing processes. The display has been designed and arranged by James M. Brown III, director of the Farnsworth Art Museum, Rockland, with the assistance of Francis Hamabo, Aiman B. Cooper, and William W. Cross. On exhibition recently at the Farnsworth Art Museum, the display has been lent to the university by the museum especially for Maine Newspaper Day. The colorful presentation traces the history of printing processes from the first practical development of Gutenberg in 1448 to the new offset lithography. Examples of printing in books illustrate the various processes of relief printing, color printing =, engraving, lithography, and offset.
50 Years Ago – December 11, 1974
Sno-Rovers Have Winning Float In Santa Parade — Santa Claus was escorted to the Houlton business district Saturday by six floats, the Houlton High School Band and Majorettes and Houlton’s newly crowned Junior Miss, Cindy Michaud. Santa arrived at the Gant’s shopping plaza and riding atop a Fire Department pumper in his red sleigh, he waved a cheery hello and Merry Christmas to several hundred along the parade route. Entering floats in the parade were the Sno-Rovers, who won first place; Boy Scout Troop No. 163 of Hodgdon, second place, and the Full Gospel Assembly, who placed third. Other floats were by the VFW Auxiliary, the Houlton Grange and the United Methodist Youth Fellowship.
Town Has Potato House It Can’t Give Away — “We’ve tried to sell the building on bids, we’ve tried to negotiate a sale, and we’ve even tried to give it away, but have had no luck at all,” Town Manager Thom Willard told the Town Council Monday night. He was referring to the Moore potato house on the Canadian Pacific tracks off outer Military street. The Town acquired the potato house on tax liens, but the land it sets on is owned by the CP. The railroad is requesting the Town to sign a lease for the land, at $100 a year. Mr. Willard said that all of his efforts thus far to dispose of the building have been fruitless, and he could see no alternative than to comply with the CP’s request to sign the lease.
25 Years Ago – December 15, 1999
Bridgewater Residents Marvel at Living Nativity Scene — After braving two nights of freezing rain, the Free Baptist Church finally managed Sunday night to draw a crowd to tis Living Nativity. This is the fifth year the church has put on the event, in which church members depict the birth of Jesus Christ, complete with angels, shepherds, wise men and animals in the manger. Due to the cold weather, Baby Jesus is a doll. Nativity coordinator Clarice Clowater said the entire church is involved in the event, from making goodies for guests, to setting up and tearing down the manger. There are two casts of actors, each standing in the manger for 20 minute shifts, she said.
Hurricanes Continue to Win — The Southern Aroostook Minor Hockey Association (SAMHA) Hurricanes 10-11-year-old Atoms team continued their winning ways in District 2 action last weekend. The Atoms defeated Nackawic, 6-0, and Presque Isle, 10-3, for a league record of 5-0 and an overall mark of 7-1 on the season. The hurricanes have outscored their opponents 52-17, picking up 39 assists, showing their passing skills, as assists are not usually handed out in this age group, unless a very good pass is made.
