100 Years Ago-May 7, 1913
Aroostook Times
Panama Canal to open soon — Col. Goethals, chief engineer on the Panama Canal, in a report to the war department, reiterated the hope he expressed some time ago that he would pass a ship through the canal before the close of the present year.
Smyrna area news — Mr. and Mrs. Herman Lougee of Dyer Brook, spent Sunday in town, guests of Mrs. Lougee’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Arno Clark. Miss Virginia Estabrooke left Monday for Square Lake, where she will be employed during the summer. A well-attended meeting was held in Fisher’s Hall in the interest of the Smyrna Mills Electric Light and Power Co.; the people are glad to know the time is not far distant when they can have their homes lighted by electricity.
75 Years Ago-May 12, 1938
Houlton Pioneer Times
Town beautification — Plans for beautification for the Snell house lot were announced today. A flower bed 90 feet across the front of the lot next to the square and 25 feet deep will be set off to the best advantage by a lattice fence at the back. It will be a community project with town officials, the Chamber of Commerce and Garden Club cooperating. W. P. A. labor will be furnished by the town.
Bridgewater club elects officers — On Tuesday afternoon, members of the Bridgewater Women’s Club gathered at Odd Fellows Hall for their meeting. A history of the club during its two years of existence was given by Mrs. Edith Thompkins. The following slate of officers was elected for the coming year: President, Mrs. Doris Stackpole; Vice President, Mrs. Aletta Smith; Secretary, Mrs. Jessie Bradstreet; and Treasurer, Mrs. Clara Hartley.
50 Years Ago-May 9, 1963
Houlton Pioneer Times
Corduroy road unearthed — A little bit of Houlton’s past was literally dug up this week when workmen repairing a catch basin on Market Square uncovered cedar poles that had been used as part of a corduroy road a century and a half ago.
File photo 1963
GIFT TO KATAHDIN LIBRARY — Ronda Stairs and Candace Newman, treasurers of the Seventh and Eighth Grades of the Island Falls Junior High School, present a check for $5 to Mrs. William Lord, librarian at the Katahdin Public Library in Island Falls. The money was to be used to purchase a book on Maine.
Remember Mom — Local businesses are ready with a variety of products in time for Mother’s Day: Gaymode seamless dress sheer nylons at Penneys, a family birthstone ring from Day’s Jewelers & Appliance Store, Mother’s Day roast beef or lobster dinner at the Northland Hotel, artistic designed corsages from Chadwick Florist and White Drug Store’s new line of ladies’ Timex watches.
25 Years Ago-May 11, 1988
Houlton Pioneer Times
Parade set for Island Falls festival — A report by committee chair Pete Marini at the May 6 Island Falls Development Association meeting held at the VA-JO-WA clubhouse states “Summer Fest Week” will start with a parade Saturday, July 30 and end with the annual Alumni Homecoming Banquet on Aug. 6.
Patten drum corp recruiting for summer — The Red Berets Drum Corp and Color Guard of the Patten and Sherman area is entering its 1988 parade season and once again seeking to enlist new members. According to Tom Sheehan, current co-director with Christie Crouse of Patten, over the years, the Corp has averaged from 20-50 junior high and high school aged members.
