75 Years Ago – July 28, 1949
35,000 Are Needed For Spud Harvest — The Maine Unemployment Compensation Commission estimates that more than 35,000 workers will be needed to harvest Aroostook County’s potatoes this Fall. This means that over ten thousand workers will have to be recruited from outside of the County to aid in picking the yield from approximately 128,000 acres. In addition to the local offices of the Commission at Houlton and Caribou, temporary offices will be put into operation on or about August 1 to assist in assembling orders from the various growers. These orders will allow accurate estimates to be made of the number needed in the various areas and permit proper allocation of labor in sufficient numbers to meet the growers’ needs. It is now estimated that potato picking will start between the 15th and 20th of September but workers will not be needed in all areas at the same time.
Group of Hobos Invade Houlton — Houlton was invaded by a strange group of hobos, Thursday of last week. This group was dressed in old ragged clothes covered with patches. Their lunches were wrapped in colored kerchiefs and carried on sticks. On looking closer it could be seen that this group was from the playground on their weekly hike. The event is part of weekly playground activities. The group started in the morning and was back on the playground by three. The group hiked to Garrison Hill, ate their lunch, and then played games, such as group tag, underground railroad, and sardines. Everyone seemed to enjoy the outing. Dressing up, carrying their lunch in kerchiefs and going off the playground was novelty to the boys and girls.
50 Years Ago – July 24, 1974
Baseball League for Girls Ready To Go — The girls in Houlton now have baseball and they arrived at the American League field Thursday evening with their gloves to sign up for the game. This is the first time girls have had an organized league in Houlton and there were more than 35 girls who have indicated an interest in learning the game. This Thursday is the opening game of the newly formed Girls Baseball League. Thirty-nine girls from the ages of 8 through 12 have already started practicing and are looking forward to the first game. This is just the beginning of a program that will continue again in the spring and go on into next summer.
Stackpole Looks At Problems of Alcohol With Eye of Experience — Ralph Stackpole knows what alcoholics must go through to solve the grave problem of compulsive drinking. But what is more important, he is successfully helping those afflicted. Mr. Stackpole is an alcoholism counselor for the Aroostook Mental Health Center in Houlton and is an inspiration to members of the staff. Mr. Stackpole, 66, first became involved with alcoholic reform in 1971 as a Senior Service Corps worker for the University of Maine at Orono’s Cooperative Extension Service. In January of this year, Mr. Stackpole, a reformed alcoholic himself, began his duties as a counselor for the Aroostook M.H.C. in Houlton. He now visits and works closely with nearly 20 alcoholics each month, traveling over 500 miles a week. “I had been successfully self-employed all my life, but I had a serious drinking problem. I lost many of my possessions and nearly lost my family,” says Mr. Stackpole. Behind the deep-set eyes and ruddy complexion lies a knowing and sympathetic understanding of the people he helps. “The key to sobriety is finally being honest with one’s self and facing the problem head-on,” he points out. “The average alcoholic cons himself. He kids himself into thinking he can handle the problem while his world crumbles all around him. And it’s a serious social problem. Statistics show one out of every 14 men and women who drink become an alcoholic,” he adds. Mr. Stackpole is a prime example of the substantial social benefits Maine realizes from the workers enrolled in the Senior Service Corps Project. Senior citizens contribute their services and experiences on a halftime basis through this vital social program. The first Senior Service Corps worker in the Houlton area, Ralph Stackpole is an inspiration to his co-workers and to the many men and women he helps each month. He is what social service is all about.
25 Years Ago – July 28, 1999
Oakfield Town Manager Celebrates 52 Years — The Oakfield town officials hosted a celebration on Saturday, July 17 at the Community Center for Pansy Burton in honor of her recent 90th birthday and her 52nd year as Oakfield Town Clerk. Bouquets of flowers and balloons decorated the room. Cards and gifts of money were received.
Maine Exchange Program Visits Aroostook — Business leaders from Cumberland County spent a day looking at business opportunities in Aroostook County and left feeling surprised and more connected. Governor Angus S. King Jr. hosted the Maine Community Exchange, an initiative of community and business leaders whose objective is to bridge the gap that exists between southern and northern Maine. On July 20, 30 community and business leaders from both counties toured northern Maine towns, listened to presentations by local business owners, and exchanged information and business cards.
