75 Years Ago — March 25, 1948
Hoop Tournament To Last Four Days – The Gold Medal Basketball Tournament, sponsored and directed by the Houlton Recreation Department, offers four evenings of basketball entertainment to the local fans, starting April 12.
The tournament will again feature many former Houlton High School stars. The games will be held at seven each evening of April 12, 14, 15, and 16. The High School officials have also granted several evenings for practice prior to the tournament. Teams desiring a practice session may make the necessary arrangements at the recreation office. Two trophies and 71 individual awards will be awarded at the conclusion of the tournament.
Former Houlton Man Becomes Credit Mgr. – Clifford C. McIntire, assistant general manager of Maine Potato Growers, Inc., announced today the employment of B. Britton Moir of Bangor, formerly of Houlton, effective March 15. In making this announcement, McIntire said that Moir would become manager of the recently established credit department, coming here with a considerable amount of experience in that field.
50 Years Ago — March 28, 1973
Wayne Tapley Is Honored Prior To Tour Of Duty – A going away party was held for Wayne Tapley at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Tapley in Littleton. He left March 9 for Fort Polk, La., for basic training in the National Guard. Guests were Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Henderson, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence White, Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Evans, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Tapley, Mr. and Mrs. Roger Blake, Mr. and Mrs. Preston Golding, Herby Evans, Robin Evans, Nicole Dionne, Jimmy Cole and Darrell and Reggie Tapley.
Talent Show Winners Are Announced At Benedicta – The annual St. Patrick’s Day Talent Contest was held Sunday evening at St. Benedict’s Hall in Benedicta. A large crowd from the surrounding communities was present for the musical program consisting of a variety of Irish songs and recitations. More than 60 children and adults participated. Prizes were awarded as follows: Best Irish number, “McNamara’s Band,” Grades one and two of St. Benedict’s School. Juvenile group, first prize, Isaac McCarthy and Joely Perry; second prize, solo by Ginny Albert; fourth prize, Sheila Willigar, solo. Blue ribbons for singing went to the Hunt Sisters, Deborah Portwine, Brian Daigle and Barbara Watson, and the Teenage group of Trina Rush, Pamela Sleeper, Ellen Rush, Marcia Willigar, Elizabeth Qualey, Doris Qualey and Cindy Albert. Best all round number, Maud Murphy and the Shamrocks. Donna and Anna Hunt and Laura Stratton received prizes as the youngest participants in the contest.
25 Years Ago — April 8, 1998
Houlton wins big at the annual state jazz festival – If “all the world is a stage,” then the Houlton High School Show Choir is on top of the world once again. Last Saturday, the HHS Show Choir captured its fifth consecutive Maine State Vocal Jazz title at the annual festival held at the school. The festival pitted top show choirs and jazz choirs from throughout Maine in a battle for the state title. The day-long event consisted of performances by 12 show choir teams in two divisions at the Junior high level, as well as 10 show choirs in two divisions at the high school level. Eleven high school teams also vied for the state title in the two jazz choir divisions. In Division one, Caribou Middle School took first place honors with their performance of selections from the hit musical “The Wiz.” Under the direction of Vicki King, the students put together a stellar performance that wowed those in attendance. In Division two, of the Junior High Show Choir contest, Houlton, directed by Andrew Poulopoulos, placed second behind Union 122 in New Sweden. Washburn Junior High School, overseen by Jerry Findlen, placed third. Houlton student Robin Sattler garnered the prize for Outstanding High School Show Choir competition.
Houlton Regional Hospital donated equipment to UMPI – The medical laboratory technician course at the University of Maine, Presque Isle just got a new toy – an Abbot IMX – thanks to the generosity of Houlton Regional Hospital. The Abbot IMX is a specialized chemistry testing machine used for thyroid, hormone and pregnancy tests. A new machine nearly cost $ 10,000.
