Editor’s Note: The following is the second of two articles highlighting some of the top news stories from 2022. This article highlights events from July through December.
July
The Houlton Agricultural Fair came to an explosive finish with an impressive fireworks display. The three-day fair drew a small but steady crowd to Houlton’s Community Park as the largest groups turned out for popular attractions such as the demolition derby and mud runs at this year’s event.
The owner of a Houlton apartment complex that burned to the ground in March and claimed the life of a 4-year-old boy was vowing to rebuild. Kerry Simpson of WLR Residential Properties Inc. said that he plans to rebuild at the 5 Mechanic St. location, which was the site of the fatal fire on March 23.
Thanks to the American Rescue Plan Act, the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office was getting outfitted with new body cameras and tasers. Twenty-two new body cameras and 15 tasers for deputies will be purchased with the federal funds to replace aging units. The $209,879 cost will be covered entirely by the grant funding.
ISLAND FALLS, Maine — August 7, 2022 — Joe Wiegand, a world-renowned Teddy Roosevelt reprisor, was a larger than life presence during Sunday’s Island Falls’ 150th celebration parade. The town has a rich history connected with a young Roosevelt. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
August
Although the temperatures soared into the mid-90s, that did not stop people from lining the streets of downtown Island Falls for the town’s 150th celebration. A massive parade provided the perfect curtain call, capping a 10-day celebration of Island Falls’ incorporation as a town in 1872.
Nirav Shah, director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, was in Aroostook County to thank various health care facilities for their work during the pandemic. Shah spent two days touring Aroostook County. His visit included stops at Northern Light Health in Presque Isle, Northern Maine Medical Center in Fort Kent and Cary Medical Center in Caribou, as well as a pair of local pharmacies.
One-hundred-fifty pounds of white beans topped with thick slabs of salt pork, molasses and mustard were placed in large iron pots and lowered into specially dug holes layered with hot wood coals. The ritual was done in preparation for Patten’s annual Bean Hole Bean Dinner held the next day at the Patten Lumbermen’s Museum.
A new, old-fashioned timepiece was soon to be erected in downtown Houlton thanks to the generosity of a local organization. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows Rockabema Lodge No. 78 in Houlton graciously offered to pay for the cost of placing a new clock within the downtown area, but left the specifics of what style and where it should go up to the town
Treating patients is not the only thing on the minds of doctors and nurses when hospital staff have to deal with unruly, and sometimes violent, people. To that end, Houlton Regional Hospital in southern Aroostook County was taking steps to ensure its staff, and the general public, remained safe from any violent outbursts. The hospital rolled out a new, 24-hour, seven-day-a-week security force aimed at providing an extra layer of safety for staff and the public.
Tim Cady, a Maine Licensed Land Surveyor, points to a long-lost granite marker that was recently discovered at the former Hancock Barracks in Houlton. The marker is part of the Aroostook County Meridian Line, a long-forgotten marker system used to calibrate surveyors’ compasses. Credit: Joseph Cyr / Houlton Pioneer Times
September
Questions about whether towns surrounding a Canadian company’s proposed mining project at Pickett Mountain should be eager to lend their support and the potential long-term environmental impact of the project were among those that townspeople asked at a special meeting. A group of about 50 residents met with environmental officials from the Natural Resources Council of Maine for about two hours at the Patten Lumbermen’s Museum to discuss concerns over the Wolfden Resources mining plans.
The Houlton Band of Maliseets unveiled their newly expanded and renovated community center. An additional 2,400 square feet were added to the building, allowing for a new kitchen, bathrooms and conference room.
Three long-forgotten granite monuments in southern Aroostook County, once used to calibrate
land surveying equipment with the stars, may soon be restored thanks to local surveyors. Known as the Aroostook County Meridian Line, surveyors once used the three granite
structures — set in a straight line about 25 feet apart — to calibrate their compasses for accuracy, focusing on astronomical true north as their guide.
The community of Ludlow took its first official steps into exploring its withdrawal from SAD 70. A four-member committee was established to start gathering information on the potential withdrawal during a regular monthly meeting of the town’s Board of Selectmen.
The Visitors Information Center was demolished Tuesday morning to make way for the new home of Priority Auto and Tractor.
(Staff photo/Joseph Cyr)
October
After 33 years on the force, Col. John Cote retired from the Maine State Police. The Houlton native served as the top member of the Maine State Police prior to his retirement.
Native Americans from throughout southern Aroostook County and western New Brunswick gathered at the tribal lands of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians for the first time in three years to celebrate Recognition Day.
A landmark stop-over in the town of Houlton is no more. The Visitors Information Center,a popular stop-over for walkers and snowmobilers thanks to its proximity to Interstate 95, was demolished to make way for a tractor and automobile business.
The community of Houlton was well-known for being supportive of those undergoing cancer treatments. Further proof was in evidence when several hundred people came out to show their support for those battling cancer, or to honor the memories of someone they have lost to the disease, by participating in the 17th annual Bridge to Hope cancer walk. More than 300 people showed up this year, raising $28,518.
Thrills, chills and bumps in the night were on full display for the opening of the Linneus Haunted Hayride. Held on property behind the Linneus Fire Department, the Haunted Hayride has evolved into one of the premier attractions for Halloween in Aroostook County.
American Legion National Commander Vincent “Jim” Troiola made history when he visited Aroostook County. This was the first-ever visit by a Legion national commander to the local area. Founded in 1919, the American Legion has more than 17,000 posts and is the largest veteran service organization in the world.
HOULTON, Maine — October 29, 2022 — A youngster dressed as a character from Paw Patrol checks out the ornately decorated table in downtown Houlton Saturday for the third annual Halloween Spooktacular. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
November
Downtown Houlton was filled with a variety of creatures and costumes for the third annual Shiretown Spooktacular event. And the candy was certainly plentiful too as this year’s attendance once again proved to be outstanding.
Another major expansion was coming for a New Limerick mill that is already one of the area’s largest employers. Louisiana-Pacific Houlton is starting a $400 million expansion to its New Limerick plant to double the production capacity of SmartSide Siding and Trim, which is engineered wood strand technology that protects against hail, wind, moisture, fungal decay and termites, the company said.
Uncharacteristically warm weather served as the setting for the community of Houlton’s annual Veterans Day service. A smaller-than-usual group of approximately 50 people came out to Monument Park to pay their respects at the Chester L. Briggs American Legion Post No. 47’s annual Veterans Day service. Unlike some years, where a fresh layer of snow has fallen, this year’s ceremony featured temperatures in the low 60s.
It was another record-breaking year for the Health Services Foundation’s Festival of Trees. A total of $71,000 was raised at this year’s event, smashing last year’s record of $55,000.
Showcasing impressive vocal abilities and solid acting chops, young thespians dazzled at Houlton’s Community Arts Center with three showings of Disney’s “Freaky Friday.” An estimated 825 ticket holders watched one of three productions held over the weekend, to be entertained by students from Houlton Middle-High School and Greater Houlton Christian Academy.
Fireworks lit up downtown Houlton for the first time during the town’s annual Holiday Light Parade. Thousands of people filled Market Square to see the fireworks.
A traditional holiday menu of turkey, gravy, potatoes, squash, cranberries and pie was waiting for more than 200 expectant diners at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church as part of the annual free Thanksgiving dinner.
PATTEN, Maine — December 5, 2022 — Amelia Harris, the niece of Army Spc. Dustin Harris, places a wreath at her uncle’s grave Saturday morning at the Patten Cemetery as part of the town’s first Wreaths Across America ceremony. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
December
The community of Patten will never forget the sacrifice one of its own made while serving in the armed forces. Army Spc. Dustin Harris was just 21 years old when he was killed April 6, 2006, by an improvised electronic device while serving in Bayji, Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. There was a seasonal reminder about his sacrifice when 350 wreaths were placed at the Patten Cemetery as part of the Wreaths Across America campaign.
With a steady rain pouring down, members of the Chester L. Briggs American Legion Post No. 47 gathered in Riverfront Park to honor those veterans who had lost their lives at Pearl Harbor. It marked the first time Legion officials commemorated the event in the Houlton area.
Skyrocketing heating fuel prices and rising electricity costs were leaving many to wonder how they will be able to heat their homes this season. That question also weighed heavily on the mind of Pastor Frank Nataluk, envoy for the Houlton Salvation Army, which was in the middle of its annual Red Kettle campaign.
A weekend snowstorm walloped Aroostook County. Preliminary snowfall reports indicated Houlton took the prize with 15.5 inches, followed by Presque Isle and parts of Fort Fairfield with 14 inches each, according to the National Weather Service Office in Caribou.
The beat was to live on for southern Aroostook County students who had a passion for music. The family of Jason Anderson, the former choral director at RSU 29 who died Oct. 19 of cancer, created a new scholarship to honor his memory and to enable youths to attend a summer music camp at University of Maine Orono, Anderson’s alma mater.
