• The people of West Pownal and surrounding towns are gratified to know that the signal bell at the railroad crossing is to be taken out and a flag man stationed there, to warn people of approaching trains. The signal bell would ring at most any time whether trains were due or not. A number of lives have been lost at the crossing.

• Gloomy tidings from the seal fishing fleet off the Newfoundland coast were brought to St. Johns by the sealing steamer Grand Lake. Captain Knee of the steamer, declares that this is the worst season for seals in his 40 years experience.

50 years ago, 1957

The cost of going to college has about doubled since 1939-40 the Office of Education reported. Commissioner of Education Lawrence G. Derthick said the expenses of full-time undergraduate students attending public colleges this year averages about $1,500. He added a student in private college pays about $2,000 a year.

An attorney in Augusta for Maine’s Penobscot Indians said he will appeal to President Eisenhower, to Congress and to the United Nations if necessary, to establish the Penobscots’ rights as an independent nation.

25 years ago, 1982

• Plans are under way to make blue potatoes to prevent Aroostook farmers from seeing red because of the flood of Canadian-grown potatoes. Technically, the spuds from across the border are for seed purposes, but they are winding up on family tables. As a result, the Maine farmers and marketers face a loss estimated at $70 million this season.

• To thousands of Catholics, they’re the men wearing the plumed hats and brandishing silver swords during special church celebrations – the Knights of Columbus, regarded by many as the most powerful lay group in the American Catholic Church. “The Order” celebrates its centennial with a Mass and the re-entombment of the remains of its founder, the Rev. Michael J. McGivney, in St. Mary’s Church here.