75 Years Ago June 3, 1948
Ricker’s 100th Commencement Closes With Graduation And Dedication Of New Buildings – Ricker acknowledged the past 100 years of progress this week and started its second century with a centennial celebration that saw its new $250,000 gymnasium assume identity as the Putnam Gymnasium; the Mansur building now is the Hayes Library. Various rooms were dedicated to benefactors of the school, both modern and from the past.
The new gym, dedicated by Justice Nathaniel Tompkins, (whose address follows in complete form) is named for Fred L. Putnam of HOulton, graduate of Ricker in the class of 1900 and the president of the board of trustees, to whom Judge Tompkins paid tribute as a leading force in obtaining funds and materials for Ricker’s new buildings. The former Mansur building is named for Ray Roy Mitchell Hayes, now of Mansfield, principal of Ricker Junior College from its start in 1926-1946.
Houlton Net Teams Win Two From Fort Tigers – The boys’ and girls’ tennis teams from Houlton High School scored a double win over Fort Fairfield Tuesday with the girls winning 5-0 at Fort Fairfield with the locals defeating the Fort boys 3-2 at home.
50 Years Ago, June 6, 1973
Clark Elected Rotary Governor – Michael A. Clark, a past president of the Houlton Rotary Club, was elected Saturday morning by Rotary District 781 as its Governor for the year 1974-75. The election took place during the annual business meeting of the District, conducted at the Northland Hotel, and served as a climax to the three-day Rotary Assembly and conference. Mr. Clark took office as of July, 1974, and will serve as District Governor for one year. In that capacity he will supervise activities of 30 Rotary Clubs in Eastern and Northern Maine, throughout the Province of Quebec.
UMO Degrees Awarded To 20 – Twenty Southern Aroostook students were candidates for degrees at the 147th Commencement of the University of Maine at Orono held Monday at Alumni Field/ Candidates included 1,240 for bachelor degrees, 151 for advanced degrees and 16 for doctoral degrees. Among the degree candidates were Wendy Lou Beauliew, Lawrence C. Benn, Gail Ellen Callnan, Edward ALan Chaisson, John Albert Davis, Maureen Ellen Fitzpatrick, Donna Lynn Jewell, James Gregory Kervin, Earl Edward Leavitt II, Jillian Clare Longstaff, Hannah Christine Osborne and Brian John Ruth, all of Houlton. Also, Nancy Eva Fogg, Emmieleen Nancy Goodall, Sandra Susann Newman and Ronald Lee Porter, all of Island Falls, Stephanie Ruth Bubar and Katherine Mary Folsom of Monticello, Daniel Shirley Estabrook of North Amity and Elwood Philip Armour of Smyrna Mills.
25 Years Ago, June 24, 1998
Houlton Fire Dept. to acquire a new pumper – At some point next year, the HOulton Fire Department will get a new fire truck. Last month, the Houlton Town Council accepted a bid of $150,674 from the New England Fire Equipment & Apparatus Corp. of Connecticut to supply the town with a 1999 Smeal Top Mount Pumper. Cone said the pumper will likely replace two vehicles. “We have a 1956 American LaFrance that is on the apparatus floor. It has been used primarily as our backup pumper,” said Cone. “However, due to the difficulty in obtaining the parts, we haven’t utilized it as a backup pumper for some time.”
Mason to lay corner stone of Houlton amphitheater – The Grand Lodge of Freemasons for the State of Maine will lay the corner stone of the Houlton Amphitheater at 2 p.m. on Saturday in Monument Park. The public is invited to attend this special event. Members of the masonic order will march from the lodge hall at 1:45 p.m. under the escort of bagpipes and a drummer to the site.
