From our Files: Headlines from 100 years of local news

100 Years Ago-Oct. 29, 1913
Aroostook Times
Hodgdon local news — Mr. S. W. Gerow has purchased the blacksmith shop at Hodgdon Corner and will continue his business there in the future. Ernest Turney has had the telephone installed in his home, number 424 13.
Blight-proof potato discovery — A new blight-proof and frost resistant potato has been discovered by John Harris of Raethi, New Zealand. Some time ago, Mr. Harris noticed a healthy stalk growing among a crop of Northern Stars and El Dorados, all of which were affected by blight. As a result, a new potato called the New Era has been grown, and under the closest observation, on no occasion has there been the slightest trace of blight or disease caused by frost.
75 Years Ago-Nov. 3, 1938
Houlton Pioneer Times
Boy Scout council formed — On Monday, Nov. 14, the Northeastland Hotel will be the scene of the first Scouters Convention held in Aroostook County for the purpose of forming the Aroostook County Committee of the Katahdin Council. The Chairman of the District Committee of Houlton is Alfred L. Rogers.
High school teacher pens novel — “Rebel,” the story of an idealist, who unlike most others, did something about it, is a first novel by Philip M. March, the Head of the English Department at Houlton High School.
50 Years Ago-Oct. 31, 1963
Houlton Pioneer Times
Halloween snow damage — Nine inches of wet, sticky snow fell on Southern Aroostook Tuesday and was accompanied by winds that gusted up to 35 miles per hour, causing heavy damage to phone and power lines. An estimated 65 to 75 poles were brought down by falling trees and limbs, and as of yesterday, some 30 hours after the start of the storm some 500 telephones were still out of service.
Campus honors Island Falls woman — The new dormitory for women at the Aroostook State Teachers College in Presque Isle is to be formally dedicated as Emerson Hall in honor of the late Mrs. Ralph W. Emerson of Island Falls, chairman of the State Board of Education at the time of her death in 1961.
25 Years Ago-Nov. 2, 1988
Houlton Pioneer Times
New soup kitchen — The Salvation Army in Houlton opens another door of service for its community. To meet the rising number of persons who are in need of feeding, the Salvation Army will begin operation “soup kitchen” out of its Court Street building. Grand opening is Monday, Nov. 7.
File photo 1988
RETIREMENT DINNER — A dinner honoring and thanking retirees of the staff and board members of SAD 70 was held at the Atrium Restaurant. Present were, from left, seated: Mrs. Virginia Doescher, language arts teacher for the past 12 years; Mrs. Polly Warman RN, school nurse for 17 years; and Paula Scott, retiring school director. Standing: Superintendent Terry Comeau; Roy Aldrich, retiring school director; Wynne Lee Tidd, librarian at the elementary school for 21 years; Susan Clifford, board member; Harvey Harrington, guidance director for 12 years; and Board Chairman Clint Cushman.
Veterans’ monument dedicated — Three hours after the bells toll the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, Houlton’s veterans will dedicate a monument to their comrades in arms who fell on battlefields from Europe to Asia. John A. Millar II, who led a battle of sorts of his own to bring a monument to the town honoring its World War I, World War II, Korean and South Vietnam war veterans, said the gray and black obelisk will be dedicated in a 2 p.m. ceremony on Veterans Day in Monument Park.