Houlton area From our Files – Week of January 3, 2024

MUSIC MOVES THESE KIDS-- MSAD 70's Middle School grade one music and gym class performed their concert "Music Moves Me" on Tuesday, Jan 26 at 1 p.m.at the elementary gymnasium. The concert is directed by Barbara Hogan and Dawn Bossie, with accomanist Julie Allen. Getting ready for their concert are, left to right, front row, Jillian London, Destiny Ellis and Alyssa Hutchinson; middle row, Danielle Begin, Zachary McCarty, Brian Vrieze, Shasta Prosser, Kelsey Suitter and Michael Morey; back row, Brandon Dow, Allen Acott and Nathan McGary. (File Photo: 1999| Houlton Pioneer Times.)

75 Years Ago – January 6, 1949

Houlton Bowlers Win League Match – Bowlers from Houlton picked off four out of six points Sunday when they met the Fort Kent aggregation in the Aroostook County Bowling League series. J. O’Brien starred for the locals with a five-string total of 538, the only total score over the 500 mark to be registered.

50 Years Ago – January 2, 1974

Dr. Matson Resigns; Robbins Is Named Acting President – A former trustee of Ricker College and Maine Maritime Academy, Chauncey Robbins of New Limerick, has been appointed acting president of Ricker. He succeeds Dr. Robert E. Matson, who has resigned as of Jan. 4. The announcement was made on Tuesday by Dr. Asa Adams of Orono, chairman of the board of Trustees. 

Last Green Christmas Was Back In 1957 – The unusual weather that has occurred during December was topped off Friday morning by a brief display of thunder and lightning. This was followed by fairly heavy snow, with about five inches having accumulated by noon. William Cumming, a retired pharmacist and a veteran weather observer, has checked over his records for the past 30 years and nowhere does he find Houlton having thunder and lightning in December. Mr. Cumming says he recorded hail, rain, thunder and lightning on January 14, 1950; thunder and lightning on March 11 of 1955; thunder and rain on January 7, 1962.The green Christmas which the area had this year was the first since 1957.

25 Years Ago – January 20, 1999

Houlton Fire Department receives new thermal-imaging camera – Firefighters at the Houlton Fire Department are getting used to a new piece of technology. The department received their thermal-imaging camera, which will help them locate people in a building when the smoke is too thick to see without one. 

Joins U.S. Army – Michael J. Casey has joined the United States Army under the Delayed Entry Program at the U.S. Army Recruiting Station, Augusta, Maine. Casey will report to Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. for basic training Feb. 3, 1999.

Receives Promotion – Major Delbert D. Botting of San Antonio, Texas has been promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Delbert F. Botting of Patten.