75 Years Ago – August 7, 1947
Commended for outstanding work — The Houlton Fire Department recently received a letter of commendation for the work they have done in firefighting the past year. The letter was sent by Arnold Peabody, acting chairman of the Town Council, and said, “Chief and Members of the Houlton Fire Department, Gentlemen:
The Town Council at a recent meeting voted to write to the Fire Department, commending them on the fire work that they have been doing and particularly on the outstanding job the Department did on the Collins’ potato house fire. The interest and pride that the firemen have in the Department and their efficient, untiring work have been responsible for Houlton’s low fire rate.”
Airport news – New students enrolled in the flight training school of the Houlton Flying Service are, Stephen Adams, Robert Brewer, Asbra Hutchinson, Ronald Brewer, Benjamin Hussey, John Marshall and Maynard Tingley. New solos are Emery Nightingale and woodrow Estabrook. Recently James Chambers, Duncan Chambers and Obed Smith went on their dual cross-country flight. Ralph Farris, James Chambers, Duncan Chambers and John Graham have successfully completed their solo cross-country flights. Morse Gillis, a student at the Houlton Flying Services, received his private pilot’s license last week after taking a flight test from John McKinnon in Caribou. The Houlton Flying Service has sold a Piper Cub to Paul Jackins to be used in this area for dusting potatoes.
50 Years Ago, August 9, 1972
Outstanding in 4-H — Miss Paula Cropley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Cropley of Danforth, was selected as an outstanding member from the Danforth 4-H Club, and was chosen to spend a week in Washington, D.C. Miss Cropley will be a senior at East Grand High School this fall.
Houlton to be site of tournament — Houlton will be the site of the first annual Shiretown Invitational A.S.A. Softball Tournament for Class B teams. Any Class B team will be eligible to enter the 16-team tournament to be held Aug. 19 and 20. Any interested team may contact: Gerald Karnes.
Parachute drop — A parachute drop commemorating the early morning drop on St. Mere Eglise in France on June 6, 1944, marked activation day activities at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, for men of the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Battalion, 505th Infantry. Army Specialist 4 Dale W. Peers, 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Peers, Fort Road, Mars Hill, was one of the participants to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the activation of the 1st Battalion.
25 Years Ago, August 20, 1997
Fishing Derby Winners – Though conditions were unfavorable to anglers during the third annual Houlton Fish and Game Club’s Fishing Derby, contestants “cast out” good spirits, while enjoying the day. Wendall Little reeled in a $50 cash prize for nabbing the largest fish of the contest. The 17-inch brown trout, caught at Drew’s Lake, weighed 2 pounds, 5 ounces. Claiming second place was Chris Eastham, who snatched a 1-pound, 13.5-ounce pickerel. Ray Eastham’s 1-pound, 8.5-ounce pickerel was good enough for third place, and Roxie Brown finished fourth with a 1-pound, 5-ounce pickerel. In the youth division, Jillian Miller captured the first-place trophy with a 7-ounce brook trout.
End season with 20-2 record – The Monticello junior girls softball team recently ended their successful summer season with a win over Houlton. Co-captain Val Lenentine paced the winners in her final game with four hits. Rebecca Lenentine and Jessica Swimm, April Graham and Alyssa Foster also pitched during the game. The win capped a successful season for the team, as the girls finished with an overall record of 20-2. The team posted single wins over Lee, Ashland, Calais, Presque Isle and Madawaska; two wins each over Littleton, Hodgdon, Easton, Oakfield, Mapleton and Caribou; and three wins over Houlton.
