100 Years Ago-Dec, 24, 1913
Aroostook Times
Potato embargo in the news — It is reported that there are unscrupulous speculators getting British, Scotch and Irish potatoes into the United States through Rotterdam and Antwerp in the face of the federal quarantine. Dreading an invasion of the potato wart and powdery scab diseases as greatly as citizens fear a smallpox epidemic, growers and shippers of five leading potato states were present at Washington, Dec. 18, to secure an extension of the present quarantine. Realizing their danger, Aroostook growers last week selected W. A. Martin of Houlton to represent them at the meeting.
Houlton Grange elects officers — The annual meeting of the Houlton Grange was held recently and the following officers were elected: Master, Harry B. Crawford; Lecturer, Mrs. Alonzo Carpenter; Steward, Alfred Henderson; Asst. Steward, Leland Bither; Chaplain, John Crawford; Secretary, Miss Lena Carpenter and Treasurer, Geo. W. McGinley.
75 Years Ago-Dec, 29, 1938
Houlton Pioneer Times
Monticello churches usher in New Year — The Community Baptist and Methodist Churches will cooperate for a special Watch-Night service to be held at the Methodist Church from 9 to 12 Saturday evening. At 10:30, a special religious ceremony will be conducted by Rev. Gerald Beals and Rev. S. Stackhouse. Around an open fire and, weather permitting, the New Year will be ushered in.
In the holiday spirit — On Friday evening the pupils of the sixth grade of the Fort Street School visited the hospitals in town and several of the homes and sang Christmas carols. The schools of Mars Hill closed Friday for the holidays with programs and Christmas trees; all pupils received a gift as well as boxes of candy from the decorated tree. The out of town teachers have gone home for the holidays.
50 Years Ago-Dec. 26, 1963
Houlton Pioneer Times
Donald Duck featured in anti-littering film — The Maine State Highway Commission has acquired a Walt Disney film, “The Litterbug,” starring the well-known actor Donald Duck. It has been placed in the department’s film library and is available on loan to schools and other organizations. The seriousness of the litter problem is pointed up by the fact that the Highway Commission paid over $100,000 during the past year for picking up litter from along Maine’s roadsides.
Home for the holidays — Miss Carolyn Lee Lynds, a freshman at Westbrook Junior College in Portland, has arrived to spend three weeks here with her parents Mr. and Mrs. William Lynds. Miss Caroline Hannigan, a student at the Chamberlain School of Retailing in Boston, will arrive today to visit for two weeks with her parents Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Hannigan, Calais Road. Donald Hunter of Melrose, Mass., will spend the Christmas holiday with his parents Mr. and Mrs. A. P. Hunter.
25 Years Ago-Dec. 28, 1988
Houlton Pioneer Times
New minimum wage, $3.75 per hour — Maine Labor Commissioner John Fitzsimmons today issued a reminder to all employees and employers that on Jan. 1, 1989, the minimum hourly wage in Maine will increase from $3.65 to $3.75 per hour.
File photo 1988
BAND FUNDRAISER — Patty Fitzpatrick, right, awarded a hand-made quilt with log cabin design to Marie Carmichael, the lucky winner of the keepsake craftsmanship that was raffled off to benefit the St. Mary’s School Band.
New Year’s Eve: Music, mime and more — From folk to rock to strings and sing-alongs, New Year’s Eve Houlton promises something for just about everyone’s musical taste. Chamber officials say they developed the idea of the event as a celebration of the arts that could be an alternative to more typical New Year’s Eve parties. Headlining the featured acts are the folk-rock duo, Aztec Two-Step and Chuck Kruger with his band, the Fabulous Prizes.
