100 Years Ago-Feb. 26, 1913
Aroostook Times
Racing challenge — The Houlton Driving Club offers to match the pacing mare Strathleen Burns against any horse owned in Aroostook County, to race quarter mile heats on the ice at Houlton for $50 or $100 a side. The club would like to hear from Americo 2.10 1-4, Thoughtful 2.11 1-4, Stingy Dick 2.14 1-4 or Black Velvet 2.18 1-4.
Sheriff cleans house — Sheriff Bryson, realizing that springtime is a time for general house cleaning, started last week together with his deputies to clean up the town. How well he succeeded can be answered by the unusually large number of new boarders now at the “hotel de county.” For the greater part, these men are well known around town as booze peddlers, too lazy to work, but satisfied to stand around on the streets and take a shy at the prohibitory law with a pint of 15 cent whiskey, the market price of which was proven to be 75 cents per.
75 Years Ago-Mar. 3, 1938
Houlton Pioneer Times
Ricker expansion announced — Ricker Classical Institute, now in its 91st year, announces the beginning of a campaign for funds to build and endow a $300,000 main building and central heating plant in accordance with the vote of the Board of Trustees at their June meeting.
Local items of interest — Normal Miller of Littleton has bought the farm of Mrs. George Watson on the Foxcroft Road, which will later be operated by their son, Roland. Mrs. Watson plans to move to Houlton. Ralph Sullivan, chauffeur for Gov. Lewis O. Barrows, was a visitor in town Saturday at the home of his aunt, Mrs. Oscar Robinson, Military Street, having accompanied the chief executive and his wife to Houlton, where the former was a guest speaker at a meeting of the Houlton Grange.
File photo 1963
MASONIC INSPECTION — J. Allen McKay, left, deputy grand master of the First Masonic District, had the honor of making the annual inspection of his own lodge, Monument Lodge 96, of Houlton. During the evening ceremony, the master mason degree was conferred on Budson Anderson, a teacher at Houlton High School. At right is Joel Mills, worshipful master of the lodge.
50 Years Ago-Feb. 28, 1963
Houlton Pioneer Times
Extending driver’s license — This week’s editorial speaks out in favor. “The Legislature is going to be asked to consider a bill that would permit the issuing of two-year drivers’ licenses, rather than the one-year license now in effect. The cost for a two-year license would be $5, whereas the cost for a one-year license is now $2. This is a bill which we heartily endorse, particularly the feature that would have the State notify a driver that his license is due to expire.”
Scholarships awarded — Nine students from Southern Aroostook are among the 498 University of Maine upperclassmen to receive scholarship awards. Among those receiving awards are, from Houlton, Robert Clark, Terrance Hannan, Karen Hennigan, Daniel Lilley, Janet Small and David Smart; from Island Falls, Jane and James Tompkins; and from Ashland, Lloyd Weaver.
25 Years Ago-Mar. 2, 1988
Houlton Pioneer Times
Sherman hosts winter carnival — The Sherman Recreation Department will sponsor a winter carnival on March 12 at the Sherman gym. A ski/run/snowshoe triathalon begins at 10 a.m. with snowsled races scheduled at 1 p.m. For youngsters, there will be sledding and foul-shooting contests, and rollerskating for all age groups. Food and crafts will be sold and children’s games available throughout the day. A video dance at 9 p.m. with music by Dana Lavertee is the evening entertainment.
Crane Farm wins diversity award — Crane Farms of Hodgdon has been recognized with the diversified farmers of the year award by the Southern Aroostook Conservation District Board. Roy Crane bought the farm from his father in 1960 and in 1981 went into partnership with his son Mark. He has cut back on potatoes and increased the dairy herd from 15-20 head to 48-50. The farm also grows oats and barley.
