From our Files: Headlines from 100 years of local news.

Compiled by Karen Donato
100 Years Ago-May 11, 1910
Aroostook Times
    Advertise — If anyone thinks it does not pay to advertise, they should have seen the crowds that flocked to Merritt’s Shoe Store on Saturday. The doors had to be closed about every half hour in order to take care of the many customers.
    Resignation — Geo. A. Russell who for the past 20 years has been clerk at the Exchange and Snell House has resigned and will take a much needed rest.
75 Years Ago-May 9, 1935
Houlton Pioneer Times
    Queen — Miss Alice Donovan was selected as the fifth Houlton High School Circus Queen. She is a member of the junior class.
    Number plates — The 87th Maine Legislature will require the word ‘Vacationland’ to be embossed on all future number plates and for the first time they will be manufactured at the Maine State Prison by convict labor.
    Speaker — Miss Helen Hughes, Houlton High senior will represent the northern Maine district in the annual Spear Prize speaking contest in Augusta. This will be her third appearance. She has won three consecutive victories in the district event.
Houlton Pioneer Times 1960 File Photo
GOOD CITIZENSHIP TEA — Good Citizenship Girls were honored at a tea. Shown pouring is Mrs. F. Douglas Lowrey. From left, Mary Barbara Lee of Houlton High School, Katherine Hersey of Oakfield Community High School, Sandra Fitzpatrick, Hodgdon High School and Sharon Kennard of Island Falls High School. In back, Mrs. Isabelle Hess, Good Citizenship chairman, Carol White, R.C. I., Sandra Bragdon of Sherman High and Diane Hall of Bridgewater Classical Academy.
50 Years Ago-May 12, 1960
Houlton Pioneer Times
    Gold plaque — Arthur Putnam, 78, general manager and treasurer of Putnam Brothers Company received a gold plaque from the Gulf Oil Corporation commemorating his company’s half-century association with the corporation.
    Island Falls — Everett Curry has taken over the Emerson Insurance Agency, formerly operated by the late Ralph Emerson, and will retain the name Emerson Insurance Agency and for the present will be at the office in the Emerson home. This business began in 1900 and was started by the late Samuel R. Crabtree and has been in the family ever since to the present time.
    Sherman Mills — Two Holstein cows owned by Beverly Rand of Sherman Mills have produced outstanding official production records. One cow, produced 17,612 pounds of milk and 616 pounds of butterfat in 365 days on twice daily milking as a seven-year old. The second cow produced 14,795 pounds of milk and 635 pounds of butterfat in 342 days on twice daily milking as a three-year old.
25 Years Ago-May 8, 1985
Houlton Pioneer Times
    More honors — William H. Cumming was presented the National Weather Service’s Edward H. Stoll Award. The award is presented to a volunteer weather observer who completes 50 years of service, and is named for Ed Stoll of Elwood, Neb. Cumming has now taken every award the Weather Service has to offer.
    The Ruth Room — The affection and love John and Virginia Ruth have expressed have had such a strong effect on the lives of the members of the New Limerick Baptist Church that recently they dedicated the Fellowship Hall in their memory. This represents 42 years of dedicated service.
    Littleton — We are glad to welcome back several folks who have been in Florida for the winter. They are Mr. and Mrs. Linwood Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Gentle, Mrs. Alta Campbell, Mrs. Mabel Bubar and Mrs. Joann Gentle.