From our Files: Headlines from 100 years of local news

Compiled by Karen Donato
Special to the Pioneer Times
100 Years Ago-Feb. 14, 1912
Aroostook Times
    Crystal — Abner Weed has taken a job to saw a number of cords of wood for the Crystal Lumber Co. Walter Anderson, Arthur Staples and Laurel Ross are working for Mr. Weed.
    Houlton — Preparations for the Fourth of July celebration when the new park will formally open have started in very auspiciously and many in neighboring towns will come to Houlton to celebrate this year as the reputation of the town in all celebrations has always been the best.
    Social event — One of the most delightful parties of the season was that held on Wednesday evening of last week when Mr. and Mrs. E.S. Powers entertained 50 couples at a dancing party at Watson Hall. The guests were received by Mrs. Don A.H. Powers and Mrs. E.S. Powers in the Guild Room and Bryson’s Orchestra furnished music for dancing which commenced at 8:30 p.m. At intermission delicious refreshments were served and dancing continued until nearly 2 o’clock.
75 Years Ago-Feb. 18, 1937
Houlton Pioneer Times
    Royalty — Miss Marjorie Stewart, candidate from the junior high school was crowned Queen of the carnival dance at Watson Hall to climax the first annual Winter Carnival.
    Skating — Philip Mason of the junior high school was high point winner of the meet with 110 points to his credit. Mason captured first places in the one lap and the three lap skating and the 100-yard snow shoe race and second in the 440-yard ski race in the elementary division.
    New owner — The Houlton Meat Supply Annex on Bangor Street was sold this week to Arthur Edwards and will be known in the future as Edwards Market.
50 Years Ago- Feb. 15, 1962
Houlton Pioneer Times
    Elks — For the first time in competition, the Houlton Lodge of Elks No. 835 won first place in the Elks Maine East Ritualistic Contest held in Old Town.
    John Deere Day — George Gobel, noted television personality, will star in the upcoming John Deere Day program to be held at the National Guard Armory according to James S. Peabody.
Houlton Pioneer Times File Photo
WINNER —Glenna Coombs, left of Mattawamkeag, holds one of the largest links of bologna in the State of Maine. Mrs. Coombs won the 60 pound, six-foot, meat sausage at the 35th anniversary party of the Petroleum Products, Inc. held at the Northland Hotel. Assisting her is Mahlon Jellison, employee of Petroleum Products. Seated at left is Leland O. Ludwig, Jr. treasurer of the company.
    Candidate — Philip McCarthy is a candidate for King of the University of Maine’s annual Winter Carnival.
    Cary’s Mills — Seventy representatives from the U.S. and Canada toured the Morningstar-Paisley Starch Company, the most modern facility of the company. Representatives met in New York and chartered two busses, arriving in below-zero weather neither chilled their spirits nor dampened their ardor for the plant inspection. Following the tour and meetings during the day, the group enjoyed a banquet at the Northland Hotel. The chairman of the board expressed his gratitude to the townspeople and the Houlton Regional Development Corporation in making possible the dream of many years that has culminated in this plant.
25 Years Ago-Feb. 18, 1987
Houlton Pioneer Times
    Houlton — Shonna Milliken was selected as Houlton High School’s candidate for the National Council of Teachers of English, Promising Young Writers Program.
    For the Kids — McDonald’s of Houlton conducted its first Kids Night in the Ronald Room. Children between the ages of 4 and 9 made Valentine cards for someone special.
    Tournament — The two Houlton teams, the Hodgdon boys and the East Grand girls were winners in the opening round of the Eastern Maine basketball tournaments. The Houlton girls are the No. 1 ranked team in Class B and posted a 47-25 victory over Mount Desert Island. The Houlton boys scored a mild upset as No. 5 defeated No. 4 Mount Desert. The Hodgdon Hawks, perfect at 18-0 and ranked No. 2 in Class C coasted past Penobscot Valley of Howland. The No. 3 East Grand girls beat Greenville 52-40.