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

Compiled by Karen Donato
Staff Writer
100 Years Ago-Aug. 31, 1910
Aroostook Times
    Local — The B&A has recently put eight new solid vestibule coaches in service and the first one made its appearance in Houlton Saturday night.
RECOGNIZED – The National Honor Society of 1961 held a banquet to honor the basketball team at the school cafeteria. Invited guests included the cheerleaders and members of the faculty. Shown from left at the head table are coach Eugene Lovely, player Ted Mason, Superintendent George Milner, and emcee Alvin Cotton.
    New sign — Perks Drug Store has placed a very neat electric sign in front of their place of business.
    Dancing party — A very jolly party enjoyed a dance at Crescent Park when Miss Frances Richards and Miss Maude Reynolds entertained a number of their friends with dancing in the Pavilion. The hall was tastily decorated with evergreen and golden rod, while the music by the Hurdy Gurdy, the fine dance order, the dainty refreshments served at intermission and the clear atmosphere of Nickerson Lake added to the enjoyment. It was about 3 a.m. when the last dance was finished and the party left for their homes.
75 Years Ago-Aug. 29, 1935
Houlton Pioneer Times
    The Women Reader — When asked what she loved most to do a modern woman answered, “To clean up my house,” and she meant it. “I just love to get down on my knees and wash my linoleum floor,” she said, “and when I dust a chair, I handle it tenderly and think ‘Oh, I just love this chair’.” What a beautiful spirit to put into housework. It eliminates all the drudgery. With modern conveniences and the proper co-operation of the members of the family, housework should not be a difficult task, but a soulful and beloved occupation.
50 Years Ago- Sept. 1, 1960
Houlton Pioneer Times
    Family outing — Almon Lilley, Leroy Lilley and Nathan Lilley enjoyed the weekend trout fishing at Fowler Pond in Baxter State Park.
    New reporter — Mrs. Iona Nadeau of Oakfield replaces Mrs. Catherine Boutilier who recently resigned.
    Houlton — School enrollment is up 67 over last year with a total of 1,634, Supt. of Schools George P. Milner reported. In Littleton, the enrollment is 198, an increase of 14 over 1959.
    WHOU — There’s a frog in the cellar of WHOU according to Ralph Bickford. Ralph can usually be relied upon to report the news correctly, so when he says there’s a frog in the cellar of WHOU, you can just bet there is one. And you can bet it’s no ordinary frog, it’s green and it has two large edible rear legs and it hops about yelling, “Crook-up”, but it’s no ordinary frog, not if it’s in the cellar of WHOU and not if it was seen by Ralph. Here’s the story. Ralph had to go down in the cellar to get the latest newscast from the AP machine. Usually Ralph gets the news without incident, but today, he saw a frog. The frog was hopping about crying, “Crook-up”.
    “What are you doing in our cellar, little green frog?’ said Ralph.
    “Crook-up”, the frog answered belligerently.
    “Shouldn’t you be out in the swamp playing with the other little frogs? asked Ralph.
    “Crook-up”, said the frog.
    “I know,” said Ralph happily, “you are listening to the music.”
    “Crook-up”, the frog answered smiling broadly, “Crook-up,” he said again.
    “Amazing,” said Ralph quietly. After running upstairs to tell of his experience, Ralph asked, “Why should a frog talk to me?”
    “You have a good show,” Glen the boss answered.
25 Years Ago-Aug. 28, 1985
Houlton Pioneer Times
    Crash victims — The crash Sunday night of a Bar Harbor Airlines twin-engine plane at Auburn claimed the lives of eight persons including former residents Arthur Smith, who had been head of the English Department at Ricker College until it closed in 1978 and his internationally famous daughter Samantha Smith. Also killed was Earl Dunphy, a cousin to Woody Dunphy of Houlton.
    Winners — Rusty Taylor of Ludlow was the overall winner in Houlton Regional Hospital’s 4th Annual Fun Run with a time of 16 minutes and 37 seconds on the 3.1-mile course. Kelly Belyea was the first women’s finisher in 22:07, while Sean Brennan (8:34) and Pam Lambert (10:17) took top honors for the 1.5-mile wog (walk-jog).
    Champion  — Martha Fasulo won her fourth consecutive women’s title at the Houlton Community Golf Course.
    Service Awards — John Fitzpatrick, plant manager for Smith & Wesson Co. presented service awards to Gene Spellman, Terry Drake, Terry Cronkhite, Larry Vincent and Doug Thompson.