100 Years Ago – August 11, 1915
Misuse of an automobile — A motorist took a nine hour trip and covered 235 miles – an average of 26 miles an hour. Why would a sane man in a beautiful country drive his automobile at the rate of a mile in a little over two minutes all day? What can he see that is worthwhile?
All that beautiful scenery goes by him in a blur – he barely beholds enough even of the road ahead to keep his course safely steered. All the joy of seeing beautiful forests and scenery, pretty towns and other beauty sacrificed to the desire for more speed – to the ambition to be able to go home and tell how many miles had been covered in a day. That’s the worse sort of misuse of a fine machine and a great opportunity.
75 Years Ago – August 8, 1940
Houlton Tax Rate for 1940-1941 set at 57 mills — Valuation of town figured at $4, 410,349 for current year. Total of appropriations and state and county taxes is $260,303.18. This rate compares to that of 60 mills levied last year.
Civil Service exams — The United States Civil Service Commission has announced open competitive examinations for the positions listed: Junior Graduate Nurse, $1,625 a year; Senior Medical Officer, $4,600 a year; Pathologist, $3,800 a year; Ornithologist, $3,800 a year.
50 Years Ago – August 5, 1965
Dedication for Border Patrol — Official dedication ceremonies this Saturday morning at 10 o’clock will precede the daylong open house at the new Border Patrol headquarters on the Calais Road.
TV Schedule — Excerpts from Wednesdays schedule includes U.S. Department of Agriculture, Captain Kangaroo, Price is Right, Mike Wallace News, Call My Bluff, Guiding Light, Let’s Make a Deal, University of Maine Commencement, Match Game, Mickey Mouse Club, Musical Showcase, Bewitched, Mr. Ed, and Perry Mason.
25 Years Ago – August 8, 1990
SAD 29 staff changes — Directors of SAD 29 have announced the following appointments or changes in assignment: Linda Cowperthwaite appointed as the sixth grade teacher at Wellington; Carol Davis will serve as a teacher of French; Joanne Peabody joins the staff as a social studies teacher for grade seven; Darren West has been hired as a teacher of English/language arts with seventh and eighth grade students; and Patricia Chase will assume the responsibilities of curriculum coordinator.
Pioneer Times file photo/1990
FATHER AND SON — Placing second in the annual Meduxnekeag River Canoe race in the division featuring one senior and one junior paddler were the father-son team of Al Cowperthwaite and Jacob Cowperthwaite. The two covered the course in a time of 2:27:04.
Air Guitar Contest for Potato Feast — The Houlton Chamber of Commerce will sponsor its second annual “Air Guitar Contest.” Participants will do a lip sync performance to their selected song. Participating groups may be of any size and the style of music is their choice. Each group will be judged on lip sync quality, originality, and overall performance.
