75 Years Ago – December 20, 1949
2500 View New Caribou Fried Potato Freeze Plant — More than 2,500 residents of Caribou and surrounding communities, as well as state, county and local officials and many potato growers and dealers, went through the new quick-frozen French fried potato plant of the Birds Eye-Snider Division of General Foods Corporation here today during an “open house” officially launching the plant. The plant will employ about 150 persons for the major part of each year and is equipped with up-to-date machinery and lighting. On hand to greet the visitors, including hundreds of children, were Franklin G. Delaney, plant manager, Joseph D. Nevins, assistant manager, and other members of the staff. Employees at work readily answered questions and explained the steps in processing.
Over 1,000 Youngsters Expected To Attend Giant Christmas Party — Detailed plans for Houlton’s giant Christmas party to be held at the Houlton and Temple Theatres Friday, December 23rd, were announced today by Mrs. Donald McCluskey, chairman of the committee in charge of the event. Mrs. McCluskey said that over a thousand youngsters who are twelve years of age and younger are expected to attend the affair being presented as a climax to Houlton’s 1949 Community Christmas program.
50 Years Ago – December 18, 1974
State Will Buy Crescent Park For Public Use — The purchase by the State of Maine of the Crescent Park property on Nickerson Lake in New Limerick and Linneus has been approved by the Governor and Executive Council. The area will be acquired by the Maine Department of Conservation’s Bureau of Parks and Recreation, and will be retained for public recreational use.
Sixth Graders Involved In ‘Living Experience’ — Members of the sixth grade in SAD 70, Hodgdon and Linneus, are involved in a “Living Experience” Health Education Model Course, as one of seven schools throughout Maine to have this program in its curriculum. The program is now developed state-wide for Grades 5, 6 and 7 in seven schools in the State and will in the future be expanded until all grades K through 12 will have the complete course. The teachers are trained at a workshop held during the summer in the Health Education Resource Center at the University of Maine at Farmington.
25 Years Ago – December 22, 1999
Brent and Neil Grass Recognized — Three years ago, Brent and Neil Grass were dealt a blow that might have knocked other growers out of the business: The sudden death of their father, Bryant Grass, with whom they had only been farming for two years. At the ages of 24 and 26, the brothers took over the farm and have not only survived, but become an Aroostook County success story. Last week, the Maine Potato Board recognized their achievements by naming them co-recipients of the 2000 Young Farmer of the Year Award. They will be honored at the board’s annual meeting Jan. 26, 2000, at County View Hotel and Convention Center, Presque Isle.
Local Basketball Teams Pick Up Several Wins, Few Losses — The Houlton Junior High School boy’s basketball team opened its season with two wins over Millinocket and Skyway. The junior Shiretowners are 1-0 in Aroostook League play, which consists of six games overall against Caribou, Skyway, and Cunningham. The Shiretowners overtook Skyway, 48-42. A trio of players scored in double figures – Collin York, Jordan Hill and Leif O’Connell, all tallied 12 points. Playing a strong defensive game for Houlton was Brock Campbell, who also chipped in with six points.
