Editor’s Note: The following is the second of two articles highlighting some of the top news stories from 2019. This article highlights events from July to December. The first installment appeared in the Dec. 25 issue.
July
Despite off and on rain showers throughout the weekend, the inaugural Barbecue-Music-Mud Run Festival proved to be popular with those who attended. The two-day food and music event featured the band “Framing the Red,” a southern rock band from Jackson, Mississippi.
The soggy weather was also proving difficult for McGill’s Community Band to get its concert in at Monument Park, so the band took its show indoors to the Houlton Community Arts Center.
Merle E. Fenlason was presented with re-issued war medals Thursday, July 4, for his service in the United States Navy during World War II. Fenlason, now 92, is a resident at Madigan Estates. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
Merle E. Fenlason was presented with re-issued war medals prior to the start of Houlton’s annual Fourth of July parade. The medals, which were lost many years ago, were for his service in the United States Navy during World War II. Fenlason, now 92, is a resident at Madigan Estates.
Downtown Houlton was the place to be Wednesday evening, July 3, as the Fourth of July festivities began a day earlier with the traditional Midnight Madness celebration
While the city of Bangor has its Waterfront concerts to entertain the masses, the community of Danforth was doing its best to bring music on a smaller scale to its residents. Located about 100 miles to the northeast of Bangor, the town’s leaders have turned to music in an effort to draw more people to its community and also boost tourism.
The town of Houlton celebrated the completion of Phase III of the Riverfront Park project in downtown Houlton. Included in this phase was the creation of a three-mile walking trail.
A complete septic system, valued at $8,000, was one of several items auctioned as a fundraiser for a 24-year-old Littleton man, Sam Dunbar, who was battling Crohn’s disease. The auction and fundraising dinner was held July 27, at the Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum.
Construction was proceeding on schedule for the bridge replacement project near the Hodgdon Mills dam and so far the disruption had not negatively affected residents or businesses. Contractors built a temporary, one-way bridge for traffic, complete with traffic lights, and removed the previous structure so they could access its base. The original bridge was constructed in 1933 and at 86 years old was well beyond its lifespan.
Matthew Oliver, a 1987 graduate of Hodgdon High School, was returning to the educational field after a 15-year hiatus. Oliver was named as the new principal at Mill Pond Elementary School by the SAD 70 school board during a special July 22 meeting. He succeeded Loreen Wiley, who resigned from the position in early July.
The Aroostook Recovery Center of Hope, located at 36 North St., opened its doors in Houlton and is helping individuals in their recovery. The center is a substance abuse recovery peer center located near downtown Houlton.
August
Houlton Police Chief Tim DeLuca intends to sue his employer — the town of Houlton — on a claim that the actions of the town council damaged his reputation, according to a court document. A Notice of Tort Claim was served to the town on Aug. 1, by DeLuca’s attorney, Kirk D. Bloomer of Houlton. A notice of claim is the first step in the process of filing a lawsuit against a municipal agency.
U.S. Border Patrol agents nabbed two Mexican nationals for violations of United States immigration laws during its three-day immigration checkpoint on Interstate 95. Border Patrol agents conducted the immigration checkpoint on the southbound lane of Interstate 95 just past Exit 264 in Sherman Aug. 12-14.
Hollie McAfee, left, and Bethany Crone brace for impact as they get splattered with a wet sponge at the 11th annual Adopt-a-Block of Aroostook Back to School Party at Military Street Baptist Church. A huge crowd came out for the popular event, which included children’s games, free food and backpacks for kids. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
Not even a steady rain could dampen the spirits of the hundreds of people enjoying the 11th annual Adopt-a-Block of Aroostook Back to School Party at the Military Street Baptist Church. Children’s games, face painting, free backpacks and clothing, and a barbecue lunch complete with ice cream drew a steady stream of participants for this year’s event.
Trading in tutus and ballet slippers for work jeans and gloves, a group of young women from Gardiner have learned the time-honored tradition of picking potatoes by hand, thanks to a local farm. For the past four years, dancers with the Rain Dance Production studio of Gardiner have journeyed more than 200 miles north to pick potatoes for Albert Fitzpatrick at Fitzpatrick and Peabody Farms.
More than 100 residents from Maine and Canada packed into East Grand High School in Danforth on Aug. 28 to hear information and discuss a Baileyville pulp mill’s controversial proposal to abandon a dam it owns. In late 2016, Woodland Pulp asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for permission to surrender its license to operate the Forest City hydroelectric dam on East Grand Lake. The company said the cost of maintaining and operating the dam outweighs the benefit of using the electricity it generates.
September
The state’s Department of Education notified superintendents from RSU 29 (Houlton), SAD 70 (Hodgdon), RSU 50 (Southern Aroostook) and SAD 14 (East Grand), as well as the Region II Career and Technical Education Center that their consolidation project had been approved to receive up to $120 million in state funds. It marked the second regional high school project to receive state funding for consolidation. In 2018,the state approved a regional high school project that will merge Fort Kent Community High School, Madawaska and Wisdom High schools, setting aside up to $100 million for a new St. John Valley educational facility that would replace three high schools and serve students from Grand Isle to Allagash.
Effective Thursday, Sept. 19, Maine law prohibited the use of handheld phones and devices while driving. Gov. Janet Mills signed the new legislation into law in July to add further weight to an existing law that already made texting and driving illegal.
For some children, going back to school after a fun-filled summer vacation stinks. Such was the case for students at Hodgdon Middle-High School this week, but it had little to do with returning to the classrooms. Sometime in the evening of Sept. 3, a skunk infiltrated the school when a back door to the gymnasium was left open, according to Superintendent/high school principal Stephen Fitzpatrick. Luckily the skunk did not spray while in the school.
In the summer of 1971, a trio of teachers decided it was far more fun to play rock and roll on their time off instead of grading papers and formed what would be one of the most popular local bands in that era. Known as “Rock Renaissance,” the group was formed by bassist/vocalist Tim Humphrey of Hodgdon in 1973 and included David McGillicuddy of Houlton on drums, Scott Emack of Houlton on guitar, Neal Wetmore of Orono on guitar and Kathy Pond Evans of St. Albans on vocals. The group reformed and was enjoying success on the local music circuit.
A trio of large paintings on Kendall Street have helped brighten up Houlton’s downtown and more could be on the way. Hodgdon artist Gina Parent was commissioned to create three paintings for an outdoor area near the Kendall Street apartments owned by John Harvell of Presque Isle as a way to spruce up the apartment complex.
October
Helping to plant trees at Houlton Southside School Thursday morning, Sept. 26, are, from left, Sage Bettencourt, Kloe Skehan, Richard Hodges (from ReTreeUS), Izabella Nason and Brooklynn Smith. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
Thanks to a grant from TD Bank, in partnership with ReTreeUS, Houlton Southside School received apple and peach trees for students to enjoy for many years to come. ReTreeUS is a Maine-based, nonprofit program whose mission is to promote an environmentally sustainable, socially just food system through education, practical resources and mentorship. Students spent a day planting 40 fruit trees behind the school with help from an arborist.
An undercover investigation has once again determined that businesses throughout Aroostook County are mainly in compliance with laws prohibiting the sale of alcohol to minors, according to local law enforcement.
The top officials with the Maine State Police journeyed from Augusta to Houlton to get a first-hand look at the department’s personnel and equipment. Col. John Cote, Lt. Col. Bill Harwood, Special Services Maj. Chris Grotton and Operations Maj. Brian Scott all made the trip north from Augusta to tour the Houlton facility.
Col. John Cote, left, commander of the Maine State Police, speaks to Lt. Brian Harris of Troop F during the department’s inspection Wednesday morning, Sept. 25, in Houlton. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
Shelly Bouchard, a French teacher at Houlton Middle-High School, was doing her part to fight student hunger. This fall, Bouchard created “Edie’s Cupboard,” a food pantry for students in grades six through 12 at Houlton Middle-High School.
With the fall colors in full autumn splendor, the town of Island Falls celebrated the grand re-opening of its historic Robinson Mountain Hiking Trail Oct. 5. The 4.5-mile trail is categorized as being “intermediate” on the difficulty scale. Although there are not any steep cliffs to scale, there are a few spots that could prove tricky for some individuals. The trail technically ends with a picnic area and views of Upper Mattawamkeag and Pleasant lakes.
Life in the early 1900s was vastly different from the technological era that we live in today. Houlton Southside School fifth-graders learned that lesson first hand Oct. 8, as the class took a field trip to the Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum in Littleton.
Museum volunteer Mari Glatter, middle, shows Izabella Nason and Gabe Henderson how to dip string for candle making at the Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum Tuesday, Oct. 8, in Littleton. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
Local high school students were given a taste of what official court proceedings were like Oct. 10, and in return, the justices were given a taste of Aroostook County. The Maine Supreme Judicial Court held a session at Houlton Middle-High School to hear three appeal cases before students from Houlton, Hodgdon and Southern Aroostook high schools. The justices were presented with bags of Aroostook County potatoes by Leigh Cummings of the “HomeTown Proud” committee.
The 14th annual Bridge to Hope Cancer Walk drew 225 walkers to the Gentle Memorial Building to show their support for those who are battling cancer or to remember those who have lost their battle. This year’s walk raised a whopping $12,306, including $2,300 as part of the group’s quilt raffle.
Downtown Houlton was the place to be for Halloween as the southerly side of Market Square was closed to automotive traffic to allow little ghosts and goblins to safely visit more than 30 tables that will be set up with people distributing candy. The idea for a downtown Halloween event started with Bastion’s Tavern owner Emily Harvey, who came up with the idea of a trick or treat activity in Market Square.
Chrissy Hiscoe, right, got into the Halloween spirit as she dressed up as “Woody” from Toy Story along with her children Jaeda and Beckett. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
The A.J. Allie Cole building at the Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum was officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
November
The magic of Christmas and the giving spirit is already alive and well at Houlton Regional Hospital. The 7th annual Festival of Trees, sponsored by the Health Services Foundation, is in full holiday mode in the hospital’s conference room on the second floor. Last year, 29 trees and 18 wreaths were donated to the group. That number has bloomed this year to nearly 50 trees on display.
East Grand students Madison Napoli, Emma Davis, Nathan Frye and Lucas Potter traveled to Washington, D.C., Nov. 2-6, along with teachers Jennifer Fronczak, Kim Gray, Jill Plummer and principal/superintendent Margaret White.
The streets of Paris were brought to the Houlton Community Arts Center for four shows of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” by Houlton Middle-High School students Nov. 21-24. Directed by Kevin Mania, the production was based on the Victor Hugo novel and songs from the Walt Disney film of the same name.
Mia Findlater, left, and Ellie Grant act out a scene during Houlton Middle-High School’s production of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” Saturday afternoon, Nov. 23. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
A proposed regional high school for southern Aroostook County was heading back to the Maine Department of Education for reconsideration after one of the member schools pulled out of the project. East Grand Superintendent Margaret White confirmed that the RSU 84/SAD 14 school board voted to withdraw from the project, citing a number of concerns. The project must now be reapproved by the state in order to proceed.
That old familiar holiday spirit returned to the Shiretown with the arrival of the official town Christmas tree in Market Square. Members of the Houlton Water Company and Houlton Public Works Department volunteered their time to cut down, transport and erect the tree in downtown Houlton on Nov. 20.
December
A bitterly cold night, with temperatures in the single digits and a stiff wind, did not deter people from participating in the annual Holiday Light Parade through Houlton. The parade heralds the official start to the holiday season, complete with the lighting of the town’s Christmas tree and the arrival of Santa Claus. After illuminating the tree, Santa and Mrs. Claus met with children eager to whisper their Christmas wish list at the County Co-Op and Farm Store on Main Street.
During a public hearing in Caribou, Aroostook County Commissioners approved the 2020 budget for the county and the unorganized territories. The hearing was held at the District Court in Caribou. During the meeting, County Administrator Ryan Pelletier gave an overview of the $7.43 million general fund budget.
Bell ringers were out in force in Aroostook County collecting donations through the annual Red Kettle campaign for the Salvation Army. Donation buckets began popping up around a week before Thanksgiving and will continue to be staffed at local grocery and convenience stores in the days leading up to Christmas. According to Frank Nataluk, envoy/pastor for the Houlton Salvation Army, the Red Kettle campaign is the primary fundraiser for the Salvation Army. Last year, The County branch brought in a near-record $70,000 during the drive.
Shopping for just the right present for a parent or sibling can be a daunting task for any youngster. Fortunately, the Ladies Auxiliary of American Legion Post No. 47 in Houlton have been helping youths in southern Aroostook area with their shopping needs for a number of years. That annual tradition continued as the “Children’s Penny Shopping Day” and was held with a good crowd of kids participating.
Pups of all shapes, sizes and ages were on display Saturday in downtown Houlton as the Ark Animal Sanctuary conducted its annual “Twelve Dogs of Christmas” fundraiser. Also known as the “Miracle on Mechanic Street,” due to the fact that the Hollywood Pet Salon is located on the corner of Main and Mechanic streets, the yearly holiday gathering serves as a fundraiser for the Ark Animal Sanctuary.
Displays of small ceramic villages are among the more popular holiday decoration ideas found in homes and for many, the small, illuminated buildings give off a sense of wonder and excitement for the Christmas season. Multiply that feeling by about a thousand and that is the feeling Janice Lovely gets from the scenes she creates each year when the holidays roll around and she unveils her massive collection of homes, stores, carousels and churches.
Ceramic village dwellings of all shapes and sizes can be found in the front window of the Livingston International brokerage firm on Broadway in Houlton. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
Smiling broadly in their new white coats, 15 of the newest nurses in Aroostook County were honored at a pinning ceremony at the Houlton Community Arts Center. It was a milestone for both the nurses and Northern Maine Community College, as it marked the graduation of the first class of practical nurses since launching the program earlier this year in response to health care industry needs.
Despite a cold, consistent rain, more than 100 people turned out at the Littleton Cemetery for National Wreaths Across America Day. The event works to bring both young and old together to remember the fallen, honor those who serve and teach the next generation about sacrifice and freedom.
