100 Years Ago – July 31, 1918
Benefit — A number of Houlton people took advantage of ‘The Canteen’ at Davidson Sunday, where lunches were served under the direction of Mrs. Ora Gilpatrick for the benefit of the Red Cross.
Accepted position — S. C. Shea has accepted a position with John Watson and Co., and assumed his duties last week.
75 Years Ago – Aug. 5, 1943
Magic Show at Air Base — General Electric’s “House of Magic,” one of the hit shows of the New York World’s Fair and of every major exposition since Chicago’s Century of Progress, will be presented at the Base Theatre here in Houlton, Aug. 10. The presentations for the soldiers will be under the direction of William A. Gluesing, who in private life is a real magician as well as a scientific one, endowed with a great gift of showmanship. The “House of Magic” is the name given to the research laboratory of the General Electric Company. From that research laboratory come from the effects had demonstrations of the show which suggest new developments for the future that the average layman never dreamed of. A man walking away from his own shadow, the world’s first sun motor of its size and kind, and visible sounds and audible light are some of the demonstrations which will be seen here.
50 Years Ago – July 31, 1968
Receives scholarship — Michael A. Ayotte, 12, son of the late Pauline Ayotte and Fred W. Ayotte Jr., of Houlton, was awarded a scholarship to Mast Landing Science Camp at Freeport. The camp is operated by the Society of Natural History in Portland. Michael lives in Falmouth with his sister, Susan Ayotte Wood.
New postmaster— The Postmaster General has announced, through the Boston Regional Office of the Post Office Department, that George E. McGillicuddy has been designated acting postmaster of the Houlton post office. On July 31, 1968, the present postmaster, Leo T. Spain, will retire, and McGillicuddy will assume the duties of the office. Mr. McGillicuddy has lived in the Houlton area all of his life. He attended Houlton High School and the University of Maine.
25 Years Ago – Aug. 4, 1993
Store to close — JCPenney announced last Friday that it is closing its Houlton store on Jan. 29, 1994, after 55 years of business, leaving the downtown without a major retailer to help attract shoppers. The store’s 11 part-time and full-time employees have the option of working in the JCPenney that will open at the Aroostook Centre Mall in Presque Isle, according to JCPenney Manager Kathleen Armel.
Service awards — John Fitzpatrick, manager of Smith and Wesson, presented the following with firearms for 15 and 20 years of service at Smith and Wesson: Tom Goff and Virgil ‘Joe” Drake, 20 years; Gary Thompson and Rick Wotton, 15 years.
