75 years ago

Mr. and Mrs. Cleff Maxwell of Weld were most delightfully surprised Thursday evening when a good number of friends arrived to honor their 45th wedding anniversary, the date also being on Mrs. Maxwell’s birthday. The evening was spent in Whist and other games. Refreshments were served, and a beautiful wedding cake, also birthday cake presented.

The fund being raised by the Phillips Post of the American Legion for the construction of its new Community Center and Gymnasium now totals $2,923.70, of which $2,413.95 has been paid in to date. There follows a list of all subscribers to the fund and purchasers up to and including May 28.

The campaign will continue and further lists of subscribers will be published from time to time. Many friends of the project, both local and from outside the community, have promised contributions later, but have not yet stated the exact amounts. It is hoped all those who plan to contribute will do so as soon as possible in order that the building may be opened for use this summer.

“We must try to not again send our boys to foreign soil” – these were the words of Congresswoman Margaret Chase Smith of Skowhegan, who spoke at the American Legion Home on Thursday forenoon at the Memorial Day exercises of the Thaddeus Roderick Post, American Legion, and S. Clifford Belcher Camp, Sons of Union Veterans. Mrs. Smith opened her address by inviting all her listeners to call on her for help and advice while she is in office in Washington. “I will try to assist at all times,” continued the speaker.

The West Farmington Literary Club enjoyed a picnic at the Varnum Pond cottage of the hostess, Mrs. Ethel Knapp, on Tuesday. Seventeen members and five guests were present. The picnic was an indoor affair owing to the showery weather, but much enjoyed nevertheless. There was an abundance of good things to eat – sandwiches, salads, pickles, cheese, cakes, cookies, and fruit. Coffee and tea were served by the hostess.

Phillips High captured the North Franklin Baseball League title at Phillips on Wednesday afternoon by defeating the Rangeley High Terriers 21-10. Phillips started its scoring with a seven-run cluster in the last of the second. At the end of the fifth inning the score was 11-5, Phillips. Rangeley staged a four-run rally in the eighth, but was unable to connect in the final frame.

50 years ago

Mrs. Raymond Starbird of Strong was elected regent of the Colonial Daughters Chapter, DAR, Tuesday at the May meeting held at Gray Fox Lodge, Farmington. The session was opened in form by Mrs. Philip Folger Sr., regent, who extended a welcome to the 27 members present. Mrs. Mildred Davis, a new member, was recognized and welcomed.

Dr. Hays Browne, chairman of the Board of Directors, School Administrative District No. 9, has announced the election of Woodbury D. Saunders to succeed Robert S. Wells as Superintendent of Schools. Saunders, a native of Westbrook, received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Maine, a Master’s Degree from Boston University, and is presently working for a Certificate of Advanced Standing at the University of Maine.

Farmington’s special town meeting Monday evening drew an attendance of an estimated 175 voters. Eleven articles were accepted as presented on the warrant.

The voters favored the purchasing of a new fire truck, capable of pumping 750 gpm equipped with a water tank and such other equipment and accessories as the Board of Selectmen specify, total cost not to exceed $20,000. In conjunction with the article, the town voted for the selectmen and treasurer to withdraw the amount named from the Fire Equipment Reserve Account for purchasing the truck.

President Erno H. Scott announced today the retirement of Assistant Professor Agnes P. Mantor of the Farmington State Teachers College after nearly 50 years of service in teacher preparation in Maine. Widely recognized as one of Maine’s authorities on its long and distinguished history, she has served as chief librarian for the College for the past 14 years.

Also on that day, Scott announced the appointment of Leonard R. MacPhee of South Portland to the college’s faculty. MacPhee was tapped to serve as instructor of Health and Physical Education and was assigned to the responsibilities of varsity basketball and baseball coaching.

25 years ago

Nate Daku, a Mt. Blue High School senior, placed third in the pole vault at the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference track championship. He was the first to compete in that event from Mt. Blue in a number of years, according to Athletic Director Randy Cook.

The South Dining Hall at the University of Maine at Farmington was filled Thursday night with parents, friends, and well-wishers to celebrate the graduation and progress of students in Franklin County’s Adult Basic Education and Literacy Volunteers Program. Kim Jones, a native of South Korea, spoke for her graduating class and fellow students. She was very dignified, very serious, and she admitted, very nervous. “I have never spoken in front of people before,” she said.

She had been in the United States for 16 years and became an American citizen in 1976. She had been an English as a Second Language student and took the opportunity to thank the Adult Basic Education staff, in particular her tutor, Janice Armstrong, who, she said, had more patience than most mothers.

Amendments to the Farmington sewer ordinance which would limit new sewerage discharge into the system while the town corrects the system’s inadequacies were considered at a Special Town Meeting last week. The amendments would be in effect until July 1, 1993, when the article expires, unless the voters, after reviewing the adequacy of the town sewer system, vote to extend its provisions.

The purpose of the amendments to the ordinance is to slow the system’s growth rate to one percent by allowing no more than 20 new residential unit permits issued per calendar year. Under the adopted amendments, no individual or business would be entitled to more than two permits per year.

The Maine Department of Transportation is planning to rehabilitate a portion of United States Route 2 in New Sharon. Bids on the project will be opened Wednesday in Augusta. The project area begins at the intersection of U.S. Route 2 and Route 27 in New Sharon and extends east for 2.3 miles to the Franklin-Somerset County line.

Compiled by Barry Matulaitis