The subject of moral training in the public schools has for some time occupied the thought of leading educators and formed the theme of discussion at educational gatherings. Certain happenings in the business and social worlds gave emphasized the need of carefully instructing our boys and girls in the great universal principles of morality. It has become more of less clear to the people that character is of more importance as an end of education than mere book learning. Gradually the demand on the schools to turn out faithful, diligent, clean, trustworthy boys and girls is strengthening.

50 Years Ago, 1956

Up, up and away! That was the reaction of Donald Fountain, 19, of Springfield, Mass., stationed at the Brunswick Naval Air Station, and his passenger, Leo Tanguay, 19 of Auburn, when their motorcycle went up in flames Friday noon, taking with it a gasoline pump.

The incident took place at the A. J. Berry store at the intersection of Routes 4 and 219 in the heart of the village. Fountain, driving a 1946 motorcycle, and his passenger, Tanguay, drove into the yard of the store where they purchased gas for the bike. The transaction completed, they started to drive away.

The cycle backfired. Gasoline was ignited. The flames rushed over the motorcycle and leaped to the gas pump. Result – one motorcycle, worth $300, total loss; one gas pump, total loss. Neither Fountain nor Tanguay was injured in the mishap and the flames did not spread to the underground gasoline deposit.

25 Years Ago, 1981

PORTLAND – The condominium boom that hit the Boston suburbs and southern New Hampshire in the mid-1970s has spread to southern Maine. More than 1,000 units have been built in Cumberland and York counties, with buyers paying $45,000 to $165,000 for the comfort of maintenance-free living. The condo-boom has not yet extended north of Portland.