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

Compiled by Karen Donato

    Monticello — The community has gone back to kerosene lamps again Saturday night as our electricity left us some time during Friday night, leaving the town in darkness. For some reason, yet unexplained, the transformer burned out in the sub-station this being a very unfortunate accident as it will be about three months before we can have the lights again.
    Houlton — Gordon P. Haley has accepted a position with the Houlton Music Store. Mr. Haley is a young man of sterling qualities and will be a valuable addition to the selling force of this popular music house.  

    Rare find — A valuable old book on British Naval achievements was found by Mrs. Althea Brockway, who has for the past few months, been engaged on a relief work project of cataloguing the books in the Cary Library. The book was found in the attic and is estimated to be worth $100 even though it has been rebound. It is reported she also found a long envelope containing a thousand dollar bond with 30 unclipped coupons and a sheaf of $5, $10 and $25. The only obstacle is that it is in the form of Confederate money.
    Woman perishes — Miss Edna P. Gentle is the victim of a terrible sea disaster in which 46 lost their lives on the ill-fated Ward Liner Mohawk that sank off the coast of Sea Girt, New Jersey. She was the only daughter of the late George S. and Endora Bradford Gentle.
    Laundry practices — Housewives in Maine are defying the traditions of their pilgrim ancestors in regard to laundry practices. One hundred and forty women have decided to banish ‘Blue Monday’ from their calendars by washing on Tuesday instead of Monday. This enables them to straighten up the house and replace cooked foods that were consumed over the weekend.

    Monetary gift — Three Houlton institutions became $60,000 richer this week when the terms of the will left by the late Clare L. Browne were disclosed. The Aroostook General Hospital received $25,000, Ricker Classical Institute a similar amount and $10,000 for the Church of the Good Shepherd.
    Happy news — Wonderful news for Houlton motorists this morning, gasoline prices dropped as much as 3.7 cents per gallon. New price for regular gasoline are 32.1 cents and high-test 37.4.
    Laundromat — Doug Folsom will be opening the Houlton Laundromat in the former location of Broadway Record Shop on Mechanic Street. This marks the first self-service Laundromat in Houlton.
    New production manager — John Dombek of Houlton has been named production manager of WHOU.
    Ricker scores — The Ricker College Bulldogs scored 229 points in two games. The prolific Purple ran up their school-record breaking total at the expense of Ft. Kent Normal, 117-52 and stampeding against Ft. Kent a week earlier 112-72. George Larlee is the coach.

    Resignation — Houlton’s Fire Chief, Lawrence Haggerty has resigned his position as chief effective Feb. 28 or until a replacement is found. He cited that his leaving is strictly for health and personal reasons.
    Dollars for Scholars — Members of the Houlton-Hodgdon Dollars for Scholars Chapter have set this year’s goal at $18,000 for the 1985 senior class.
    Promotions — Houlton Police Chief Darrell Malone has announced promotions within the Department. They are, Wayne Scarano promoted to lieutenant and Dan Pelletier to sergeant.
    Assistant nursing director — Larry Tonzi, director of nursing at Houlton Regional Hospital has announced that Alma Fournier has been named assistant director of nursing at the facility.
    Student teachers — The University of Maine at Presque Isle has announced the placement of several students in local schools. They are, Sharon Kinney at SAD 70 Elementary School, Mary Peabody at Lambert School and Rosemary Roberts at Houlton High School.
Houlton Pioneer Times File Photo 1985
OFFICERS — The Houlton Regional Hospital Auxiliary officers for the upcoming year are, seated from left Ginny Urbanek, president; Peg Kelley, second-vice-president; standing, Carlene Romanelli, recording secretary; Jean Collett, treasurer and Patty Niles, corresponding secretary.