The cat belonging to George Otis Turner of Gardiner has the distinction of catching the fifth Purple Gallinule, a southern bird, ever captured in Maine. The bird was not mutilated by the cat, and Mr. Turner took it to Prof. Powers who identified it and will have it mounted. The bird is about the size of a King Fisher, but has longer legs. There is purple on its wings and a soft brown color on its head and neck. It belongs to the rail family and its home is in Florida.

50 Years Ago, 1956

Today it’s back to work, but the persons who came back to the Twin Cities for the holiday started leaving yesterday by train, plane and bus.

A representative of the Maine Central Transportation Co. bus line reported “terrific” business and crowded buses throughout the day.

The same was true at the Greyhound bus line where it was “the busiest Christmas season we ever had,” according to Lawrence Margolin.

The three trains from Lewiston to Boston carried at least twice their normal load of passengers yesterday, according to a representative of the Maine Central Railroad, and the final train in the evening had three times the normal number of passengers.

25 Years ago, 1981

•Americans turned to helping others – from special holiday meals for prisoners to free telephone calls for the elderly – as the nation celebrated Christmas with cheer and hope.

•Golden Wassail. Float lightly poached Golden Delicious apple slices in wassail for a colorful, satisfying garnish. Combine 1 gallon apple cider, 2 sticks cinnamon and 2 teaspoons each whole cloves and whole allspice; bring to a boil. Core 3 Golden Delicious apples; slice into rounds or wedges. Stud each apple with a whole clove. Add apples to cider, reduce heat and simmer 3 to 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Serve hot punch with apple slices ladled into individual glasses. Makes 24 (¾ cup) servings.