115 Years Ago, May 1, 1907
Fire Alarm — An alarm from Box 68 on Tuesday afternoon called the firemen to the old C.P.R. depot where a fire had obtained quite a start in a large house used for storing ashes, which is controlled by Mr. Jeff Powers.
The department put it out and saved a serious conflagration by having the water in that section, this being the first time that the Fire Company have used it.
New doctor in town — Dr. Mitchell, formerly of Island Falls, is now in New York City taking a special course on the eye ear, nose and throat and on his return will open an office in Houlton. We are much pleased to welcome Dr. Mitchell and his wife to our town.
75 Years Ago, April 24, 1947
Stationed in Texas — Bryce S. Weeks, son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Weeks of South Amity enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force on April 7, his 17th birthday. He is now stationed at San Antonio, Texas, for his basic training.
Airport News — The following students of the Houlton Flying Services soloed during the current month: Dr. Ira K. Trabell, Alfred McCluskey, Gerald McCluskey and Wendell Corey. The following completed their cross-country trails: Ralph Lyons and William Hallett, to Waterville and Old Town. The following students received their private flying licenses after completing the course at the Houlton Flying Service: John Chadwick, Nate Folsom, Hazen Shannon, Fred Martin and Robert King. Calvin Brown is a new student.
50 Years Ago, April 26, 1972
Chamber to honor McLaughlin — Aubrey A. McLaughlin, owner of the Ward Cabin Company and for many years executive director of the Houlton Regional Development Corporation, will be honored this Thursday by the Houlton Chamber of Commerce. Mr. McLaughlin will be presented by the chamber with its eighth annual Outstanding Citizen Award during the annual awards luncheon at the Norland Hotel. Also to be honored will be Eugene A. Hutchinson, immediate past president of the chamber. Making the awards will be the current chamber president, Gary Adams.
Shires open baseball season — The Houlton High School baseball team is scheduled to open its season this Saturday, weather permitting, when they are host to Fort Kent in a 1 p.m. contest at Bob Ruth Field.
25 Years Ago, May 7, 1997
Oakfield wins building grant — The eight-year effort to build a community center for the town of Oakfield made a giant leap toward completion last Monday when a $250,000 grant was awarded by the state of Maine. The grant will be added to the $110,000 reserve that the town has accrued since 1989 to build a 56-by-120-foot community center with basketball courts, a multipurpose room, a kitchen, bathrooms and possibly a small office.
SAVE’s Sprague wins state gold — The Masonry program at SAVE (Southern Aroostook Vocational Education) in HOulton has got off to a flying start. Less than one year old, the program recently yielded a good medal winner at the state level of the VICA (Vocational Industrial Clubs of America) competition. Even more impressive, that student has been awarded a scholarship work, $6,500. And who is this award-winning mason. It’s none other than 19-year-old Phil Sprague from LIttleton.
