100 Years Ago-March 24, 1909
Dedication — Arrangements for the dedication of the Soldiers Monument in the park are progressing well and the committee having the collection funds on hand, are especially anxious that all subscriptions are paid as soon as possible in order that the money be available for payment before unveiling.
Eastern Star — The ladies of Fidelity Chapter O.E.S. went to Woodstock yesterday where they organized a chapter of Eastern Star. The members drove over and returned after the meeting.
High school speakers — Awards were presented to girls, first prize, Laura Brown McCready and second, Lydia Boardman White. For boys, first prize, Thaddeus Rex Grant and second, James Cottrel Madigan. Honorable mention was made of the work of Moses Burpee Alexander and Harriet Clara Vincent.
75 Years Ago-March 22, 1934
Milk train to Aroostook — Disgusted with fruitless efforts to sell milk in the Boston market and make a reasonable profit, a Boston newspaper reported that dairy farmers in central Maine are organizing a “cooperative” for the purpose of selling dairy products in Aroostook County. The perception is the county farmers grow only potatoes and will not diversify, that they use canned milk because they cannot get fresh milk and they eat oleo instead of butter. Needless to say the local dairy farmers were quite amused. The article went on to say the Aroostook farmer does a mighty fine job with potatoes, but the farmer will not keep cows for milk, nor will he grow his own vegetables. He prefers to concentrate on potatoes and when the market is good and the price high he is happy and wealthy. When the price falls he is usually in hot water. Sometimes he is too poor to pay for his fertilizer. To set the record straight — Aroostook has 1,500 milk cows producing 82,000,000 pounds of milk annually. Milk and cream can be procured freely in all sections of Aroostook at a lower price than central Maine or any other part of the state. The county does not need and cannot use dairy products from central Maine.
50 Years Ago-March 19, 1959
11-year-olds call police — Three alert youngsters spotted a burglar in the A&P Supermarket crouching near an illuminated area next to a wall safe and then the trio calmly walked 20 feet away and called the telephone operator from a public telephone booth. She in turn notified police. The boys Stephen Moore, son of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Moore and Peter and Paul Homchuck, twin sons of Mrs. Fred Homchuck were on their way home after attending a Boy Scout meeting.
New streets — South Street, Brook Street and Rogers Street were accepted by taxpayers at the recent town meeting and Lane Court was also accepted as a town street. There will also be a name change of Fourth Hill Street to Hillview Avenue.
New staff — The J.L. Putnam Company, Inc. appointed Miss Polly Thompson as private secretary and Bert Daniels as personnel manager. The announcements were made by Joseph L. Putnam, president.
ONE-ACT PLAY — The senior class of the Oakfield Community High School won the Katahdin Valley League trophy for a one-act play called ‘The Room Upstairs’. Faculty member, Mrs. Shirley Cook coached the play. Shown seated from left are, Marjorie Bowen, Darylene Crandall and Maureen Brown. Standing, Gerald Crane, Philip Sherman and Nelson Morton, Jr. Absent was Jeanette Boutilier.
25 Years Ago-March 21, 1984
Snowfall — 20 inches of snow fell overnight in the Shiretown making walking the order of the day. Public works crews worked from 3:30 a.m. Wednesday until 1:30 a.m. Thursday with only a half-hour lunch break.
Typist — Aimee Putnam, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Vaughn Putnam and a junior at Houlton High School has been selected to compete in the Olympia National Scholastic Typing Contest.
Retires — Eugene Brown received a plaque from President of the Board, James Pierce for 41 years of service at the Almon H. Fogg Company.
Joins staff — Mark King was welcomed by Al Butler, sales representative to the sales staff of Thompson, Buick, Chevrolet, Pontiac, Inc. Mr. King will be selling new cars, trucks and used vehicles.
