100 Years Ago-Feb. 11, 1914
Aroostook Times
Sarsaparilla, a body’s February cure — The advertisement reads: “We heard a man say the other day that the abbreviation for February — Feb. — means Freeze Every Body, and that man looked frozen in his ulster. It was apparent that he needed the kind of warmth that stays… We could have told him from personal knowledge that Hood’s Sarsaparilla gives permanent warmth, it invigorates the blood and speeds it along through artery and vein, and really fits men and women, boys and girls, to enjoy cold weather and resist the attacks of disease.
Town spending debated — The editor comments: As Houlton’s annual town meeting approaches many people say the town is too extravagant, we should not spend so much for this or that public improvement. Men have arisen and told that the town should keep out of debt and get along without this or that municipal improvement, and yet these same men are as proud of the advantages which we have as the most enthusiastic Booster in our community.
75 Years Ago-Feb. 9, 1939
Houlton Pioneer Times
Notes from Hodgdon — Coming to work before the others in his crew to cut ice, Earl Adams received an icy ducking in the Mill Pond Saturday while Martin Perry who was working nearby was attracted by Earl’s calls and helped him out. Sergeant R. M. Sullivan and Officer Forrest Clifford visited the Hodgdon Schools last week, organizing the children for the Safety program.
National Defense, topic for debate — The next in a series of Round Table discussions, sponsored by Houlton Women’s Club will be held Wednesday. The subject will be “National Defense: Resolved that our present armament is adequate and should not be increased.” There are two questions “What is to be our Foreign Policy; and with that policy, is our present armament sufficient?” Harry A. Baulch will be leader. The panel consists of: affirmative, Rev. A. N. Moore, Edwin Arnold and Rev. T. L. Brindley; negative, Prin. Roy M. Hayes and Roy Bither of the Ricker faculty and Col. F. M. Hume.
50 Years Ago-Feb. 6, 1964
Houlton Pioneer Times
Community’s loss: Cora Putnam dies at 91 — Mrs. Cora M. Putnam, a life-long Houlton resident and one of the town’s most distinguished community and civic leaders, died Thursday after a brief illness. She was 91 years old. Mrs. Putnam was particularly active in Eastern Star work. She also organized the Southern Aroostook Chapter of the American Red Cross, and the auxiliary to the Chester L. Briggs Post of the American Legion. She was a charter member and past president of the Houlton Woman’s Club. For 30 years she was a news correspondent for Maine and Boston newspapers, and at the age of 86, her book “The Story of Houlton” was published.
File photo 1964
PEDIATRIC WARD — This large area, with chrome and glass partitions separating the beds of the children, is the Pediatric Section on the first floor of the new wing of the Madigan Memorial Hospital.
Houlton native is featured jazz composer — John Benson Brooks, a Houlton native, is the subject of an article in the Jan. 2 issue of Down Beat music magazine. It tells of the “daringly unconventional, controversial music” which Mr. Brooks plays with his three-man ensemble. He was born in Houlton in 1917 and studied at New England Conservatory of Music. During the period of 1943-47 he was arranger for such bands as Tommy Dorsey, Les Brown and Randy Brooks and wrote the hit song, “Just As Though You Were Here,” among others recorded by big names Frank Sinatra and Nat Cole.
25 Years Ago-Feb. 8, 1989
Houlton Pioneer Times
Looking for liars — The ad’s headline reads: “Lie Through Your Teeth. Win Prizes.” It’s just one of many activities at this year’s Yamafest, Yamaha snow festival. For our “Snowmobile Liar’s Contest,” we’ll be looking for people who know how to spin yarns and weave stories. If you have the skill to whip up a real whopper about snowmobiling, then come out to the Yamafest Party and tell the tale.
Hospital auxiliary install officers — Houlton Regional Hospital Auxiliary held its annual meeting at the Parkview Terrace on Jan. 19 where the nominating committee presented its slate, with the following new officers installed: Malee Putnam and Jan Nickerson, co-presidents; Ida Ricker, first vice president; Blanche Cyr, second vice president; Carlene Romanelli, recording secretary; Pat Veal, corresponding secretary; Pat Niles, financial secretary and Jean Collett, treasurer.
