The hunting season will open in earnest, when the law on partridges will go off with a banging of guns. Until they can tackle the big quarry hunters will have to content themselves with shooting the small game though the old timers say that they don’t mind this as it is excellent training for the marksmanship needed in landing moose or deer. Close time on deer is of Oct. 1st and on moose 15 days later.

50 Years Ago, 1956

Brief by violent thunderstorms bearing hail and rain and riding high winds wreaked widespread havoc in central and western Maine. Trees were felled throughout the area, resulting in power and communications losses. Western Maine apple growers suffered many thousands of dollars’ loss. A.B. Sturdevant, a Hebron grower, estimated the loss at $40,000 to $50,000 in that town alone. Other growers said the apples were blown down by the wind and bruised by hailstones which Sturdevant said were “as big as acorns.”

The population of beaver is now estimated to be in excess of the State’s carrying capacity of 33,600, established by the habitat survey of 1952. An aerial beaver house count this fall will help estimate whether or not a disproportionate distribution of trapping took place last January and February.

25 Years Ago, 1981

Three outstanding men who have contributed hundreds of hours to community service have been named Outstanding Young Men of America. Among those chosen are Joseph P. Laliberte of 24 Gina St., Lewiston, Rocco Giberti of 57 Oak Hill Road, Auburn, and William L. Holland, of 361 Sabattus St., Lewiston. The Outstanding Young Men program, which is an endorsed program of the U.S. Jaycees, recognizes the achievements of men 21 and 36 years old. Nominations are made by political and civic leaders, and the award recipients are selected by a committee of education, political, and business people.