It was another exciting year for the Shiretown and southern Aroostook region. Here are some highlights of what happened during the second half of 2016.
July
After several long months spent reviewing photographs, songs and personal writings, Susan York unveiled her 108-piece mural for local residents to see. York, a native of Houlton who now resides in Shokan, New York, is an award winning artist and author who decided the best way for her to raise awareness for a cause that affects her personally would be to put paint to paper.
A longtime deputy from the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office was lauded during her retirement party. Deputy Sheriff Sgt. Kris Miller of Ludlow said goodbye to friends, colleagues and a large group of active and retired sheriff’s office employees 27 years after she first stepped through the doors of the facility into the position of corrections officer.
Members of the Houlton 11-12 Baseball All-Stars raised the championship trophy after beating Brewer/Orrington 13-1 in a five-inning game in Orrington. It marked the first time since 1976 that Houlton has won District 3.
The fourth annual Wings and Wheels event drew scores of people to the Houlton International Airport for a day filled with thrilling aerial acrobatic displays.
August
Citing an inability to work with the town manager, Houlton Police Chief Joe McKenna submitted his resignation.
A group of more than 80 walkers turned out to honor the memory of a Houlton woman, Darcie Hutchinson, who was killed 20 years ago by a drunk driver during the first official Walk Like MADD event in the Shiretown.
Stressing the importance of maintaining strong border relations, Rep. Bruce Poliquin toured Aroostook County Thursday, Aug. 25, with members of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
September
The town of Houlton lost two former leaders with the passing of R. Lewis Bonem who served the community as town manager, and Phil Bernaiche, who sat on the town council.
During a solemn, dignified ceremony in Hodgdon, the remains of a Civil War veteran received one final salute before burial in a local cemetery after being lost for nearly a century. The ceremony to bury the cremated remains of Army Pvt. Jewett Williams at Hodgdon Cemetery on the Walker Road was attended by nearly 200 people, including living members of the Williams family. It signified the final chapter of Williams’ story, but also the last part of a combined effort by a wealth of people who worked to bring the Union veteran of the 20th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment-Company H back to his home state.
October
The Gentle Memorial Building was flooded with a sea of pink as more than 200 walkers turned out for the 11th annual Bridge to Hope Cancer Walk.
State police investigated the death of Douglas Morin, 31, of Oakfield as a homicide. His body was found in a vehicle on PD Road, which is located off Cold Brook Road.
November
U.S. Senator Susan Collins received Maine Community Action’s 2016 Star of Community Action award at the Aroostook Community Action Program Center (ACAP) in Houlton.
Timothy DeLuca, deputy chief of the Old Orchard Beach Police Department was selected as the new chief of the Houlton Police Department.
The Shiretown lost another of its cultural icons as Catherine “Kay” Bell died Friday, Nov. 25, at the age of 97.
Cecilia Rhoda of Houlton has always had a knack for adding just the right decorative touch to her family’s home during the holiday season. Now, she can add “White House decorator” to her impressive resume. Rhoda and 124 other decorators and designers from around the country were chosen to go to the White House in November to transform 1,600 Pennsylvania Avenue into a winter wonderland.
December
An early-morning fire at the Houlton Salvation Army headquarters on Court Street caused minor damage to the sanctuary, but destroyed much of the group’s collection of toys.
