75 Years Ago – December 29, 1949
Houlton Theatre To Celebrate 9th Year With Special Party — A birthday party for youngsters born during the week of January 8 to the 14th in 1941, and a run of special screen attractions, will highlight the ninth anniversary of the Houlton Theatre opening in a special week-long program starting Sunday, January 8. Youngsters born during the week in which the theatre was opened in 1941, and who will now be nine years old, can learn the details of the party by calling at the theatre office. The gala birthday party will consist of a dinner at the Northland hotel and a special movie party. The hospital records and the records at the Town Clerk’s office are being checked in an effort to locate the children born within the week of the Houlton Theatre’s initial opening in 1941. The movies selected for the observation of Anniversary Week are as follows: Sunday and Monday, January 8 and 9, “The Inspector General,” a technicolor production; Tuesday and Wednesday
Farm Bureau Members Increase — TMembership in the Farm Bureau in Maine has increased more than two thousand since the dates of county annual meetings this fall, reports Norman R. Ness, of Farmington, acting county agent for the Agricultural Extension Service of the University of Maine. On December 1, Farm Bureau membership in Maine totaled 17,713 men and women. This is an increase of 2,056 since annual meeting time, says Ness.
50 Years Ago – December 25, 1974
SAD 70 Students Present Annual Christmas Concert — Students from SAD 70 presented their annual Christmas concert December 16, with Mrs. Debbie Duff as Music Director and Joseph Robinson as Band Director. “Ten Little Angels” was presented by kindergarten students, Emily Putnam, Mark Scarano, Lisa London, Timothy Shorey, Kimberly Smith, Lisa Suitter, Sandra London, Joseph Ewings, Stacy Tidd and Gregory Sherman. Other numbers included “Jingle Bells” and “Christmas Song.” First grade students presented “Jolly Old St. Nicholas” and “Stowaway,” Second grade, “Up on the Housetop” and “Santa’s on His Way;” third grade, “Marshmallow World,” “Pinata” and “Zumba Zumba” with presentations of Triangle by Kathy Rowe, cymbal by Ronald Wellington, drum by Kevin Winslow and tambourine by Nancy Ruliffson and fourth grade, “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “Christmas All Over the Place,” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” Also, fifth grade, “Go Tell It On the Mountain,” “Deck the Hall’s” and “Drummer Boy” with drums by John Poole and triangle by Tammy McQuarrie; sixth grade, “Westminster Carol,” “Silver Bells” with the triangle by Barry Ivey.
Shires Rout Madawaska, Enter Rockland Tourney — Houlton High waltzed to an easy 66-47 victory over Madawaska High Friday night at Madawaska, giving the Shires in two wins in their three pre-holiday games. The Christmas holidays will not be a recess, however, for Coach Terry Spurling and his crew, as they are slated to take part in a two-day tournament this weekend at Rockland. It will be but one of many holiday tournaments throughout the state, none of which will count on the official point ratings. With all five starters scoring in double figures, the Shires put together a solid game Friday as they swept past the Madawaska Owls. They jumped to a 16-7 lead after one period, were in front by 31-17 at the half, and doubled the Madawaska score at 54-27 after three periods. Brent Haggerty had 16 points to lead the even Houlton scoring. Bob Danache had 15, Mark Dobbins had 15, and George Pringle and Joel Oliver each had 10.
25 Years Ago – December 29, 1999
Celebrations Abound In The Shiretown — Local residents and people across the nation are being presented with numerous gala events to help ring in the new year and millennium. One such event that stands out among the rest is the New Year’s Ball being held by the Bridgewater Historical Association. The Historical Association has been renovating the town hall and is looking forward to ringing in the new millennium in the restored building by holding the New Year’s Ball.
Championship Communities Named In Aroostook County — Officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will sign an agreement today that designates certain areas of Aroostook County as Champion Communities, a priority title for rural development that will make it easier to obtain federal grants and loans for development.
