From our Files: Headlines from 100 years of local news

Compiled by Karen Donato
Special to the Pioneer Times
100 Years Ago-March 1, 1911
Aroostook Times
    Concert — The concert and entertainment which is being planned by St. Mary’s Church will take place on Friday evening March 17, at Mansur Hall. The committee is sparing no pains to provide a program which will be very pleasing.
    New home — Mr. and Mrs. S.L. White gave a reception on Friday evening to their many friends as a house warming in their beautiful new home on Main Street.
    Straw ride — A large number of the members of the M.E. Church enjoyed a straw ride to the home of Mr. and Mrs. A.A. Stewart, where a most entertaining evening was spent. Delicious refreshments were served and all went home feeling much indebted to the host and hostess.
75 Years Ago-Feb. 27, 1936
Houlton Pioneer Times
    Chairman — Thaddeus R. Grant was elected chairman of the Retail Merchant’s Bureau of the Houlton Chamber of Commerce.
    Boston Post Cane — When the Board of Selectmen arrived at the home of Luther S. Smith on High Street to present him with the Boston Post Cane, he had just finished splitting wood, a task he had been engaged in for two hours. He makes his home with his daughter, Miss Thirma Smith, a teacher on the Houlton High School faculty.
    Bread making — Charles Smith, foreman of Tingley’s Bakery has just returned from the General Mill’s Inc. Specialty Bread School in Buffalo, N.Y. Smith completed a 10-day course in specialty bread making.
    Air service — Extension of air service for mail and passengers into Aroostook and Washington counties has been the subject of discussion this past week with the various authorities in Washington, D.C. who are concerned.   
50 Years Ago- March 2, 1961
Houlton Pioneer Times
    Ice storm — The heavy ice storm inconvenienced 356 telephone subscribers and 70 patrons of the company on the Ludlow Road were without their means of communication when 12 poles in a row were toppled over like children’s dominoes. The strong wind snapped off the heavily coated poles at the base and one by one, the “crosses” fell to the ground.
    Mais oui — An interpreter was needed at Smith’s Lunch in Linneus, popular truck stop when 26 cars loaded with French-speaking Quebec caravaners heading back to their province stopped for lunch and gasoline. Mrs. Vallie Smith, manager, said she and two waitresses suggested in English, which was understood, a variety of items on the menu and on the shelves.   
25 Years Ago-Feb. 26, 1986
Houlton Pioneer Times
    Champions — The Houlton Lady Shires won their fifth consecutive Eastern Maine Class B championship defeating previously unbeaten Mt. View, 46-38. The Hodgdon High boys team defeated previously unbeaten Calais 77-75 for the Class C title.
Houlton Pioneer Times 1986 File Photo
A CHAMPION — Elwood Scott, center, principal of Houlton High School is retiring at the close of the school year and he attended his last varsity basketball game at the school gym Thursday night, in his capacity as principal. Since 1967 when he became principal, Mr. Scott has missed just three home varsity basketball games. He was honored before the start of the Houlton-Caribou game, being presented with a varsity jacket with the No. 36 (the number of years he has been in education) and a “gold” basketball to designate that he is a Champion. Making the presentations are Mary Jane Safran, president of the Senior Class and Athletic Director Wayne Quint.
    SAD 70 — The Building Committee of the SAD 70 Board of Directors will meet at the central office building this week with architects. They will discuss planned renovations and proposed additions to both Hodgdon Elementary School and Hodgdon High School.
    Joins staff — Celine Fitzpatrick has joined the staff at Mirage Hair Fashions. She is a graduate of Mansfield Beauty Academy.
    Ribbon-cutting — Donald and Linda Goodridge have opened the Military Street Laundromat in the former Houlton Car Wash.