From our Files: Headlines from 100 years of local news

Compiled by Karen Donato
Staff Writer

    Smyrna Mills — Leroy Pomroy who has been in J.A. Millar’s Fruit Store for the past few months in Houlton, is visiting his parents Mr. and Mrs. B.T Pomroy.
    Women wanted — To take orders for our new Singer Stocking Darner. Fits any machine, will sell at every house where there is a sewing machine used. Apply Tuesdays at the Singer Sewing Machine office, 7 Court St. G.B. Churchill, Mgr.

    Narrow escape — Mr. and Mrs. Willard Putnam, Miss Mabel Clark and Donald McNutt had a narrow escape from death or serious injury when the automobile in which they were riding became imprisoned between two piles of snow thrown up by a Bangor and Aroostook plow train on either side of the crossing in Littleton. The car, proceeding toward Monticello, with Mr. McNutt driving, negotiated the first pile and dropped down to the cleared tracks. It was unable to plow through the snow on the opposite side of the track nor could it back up. After working some time in an effort to extricate the car from its precarious situation, one of the occupants noticed the reflection of fire from the stack of the returning plow train, against the snow. Blowing snow and high drifts obscured the headlights. Those in the car were barely able to reach safety when the car was struck directly in the middle. The car was carried 300 feet and only the tires were salvageable.

    Northland Hotel — George R. Hannigan has been appointed Northland Hotel manager. Hannigan was the unanimous choice for the position. He is a veteran with almost 30 years of experience.  He was born in Houlton and attended school here. He has been the manager at the Penobscot Hotel in Bangor.  He is married to the former Dexa Benn, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. C.B. Benn of this town.
    Warning — Chief Bert Wetmore issued a warning to citizen’s concerning false alarms. Those convicted of this offense could be fined $500 or sentenced to two years in jail.
    Storm forces landing — A USAF C-119 ‘Flying Boxcar’ landed in Houlton with 25 men after being forced to turn back from a landing at Willow Grove Naval Air Station in Pennsylvania due to poor visibility resulting from a snowstorm and freezing rain.
    Potatoes — During the past five months, nearly 60,000 of the state’s public school children have eaten their way through 550 tons of Maine potatoes. The potatoes were served baked, boiled or scalloped on the average of three times weekly in each of the schools.

    Bowdoin St. School — Bowdoin Street School built in 1907 has been demolished. The school closed in 1978 and students moved into the Houlton Elementary School’s new addition. All classes K through 4 will be in one building.
    State Champs — Shane Lambert, 10-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Rodney Lambert of New Limerick and a grade 5 student at Hodgdon Elementary School, won a state championship in his age division during the Elks Club state foul shooting contest at Lewiston. Shane tied with two others after the initial 25 tries, and then made good on all five attempts in the shoot-off. Shane had made 99 out of 100 foul shots a week before the contest.
    McDonald’s Award — Ed Degenhardt, owner-operator of McDonald’s of Houlton, Calais, Millinocket and Lincoln presented Joel Voisine with an Eagle Award. This award represents success in leadership, decision-making and overall management. Mr. Voisine has been with McDonald’s seven years in a managerial capacity and is area supervisor for the four McDonald’s.
Houlton Pioneer Times File Photo 1984
HODGDON STUDENTS — The week of March 5 was designated as “National Music Week” and the students at Hodgdon Elementary School were working on ideas for posters. Northern Musical Supply  donated prizes. Working on their posters are left to right, Helena Rouse, Wade Jay, Chris Dube, Audra Karnes, Shane Howe, Jenny Kervin, Adam Stewart, Tony Stewart, Kelley Richardson and Matthew Gray.