From the pages of the Livermore Falls Advertiser

75 years ago:  

The Livermore Falls High School (LFHS) principal has received a report on freshman college records for the years 1938-39 and 1939-40 from the State Department of Education. The results achieved by Livermore Falls graduates who entered Maine colleges in those two years have been very gratifying.

In 1938-39, freshman entering college from LFHS had no failing marks, while over 6 percent of marks were failures for all freshmen entering from Maine secondary schools. Furthermore, 62.5 percent of LFHS graduates’ ranks were honor grades compared with 33.7 percent for all Maine schools.

LFHS graduates received an average of 3.333 honor grades per student in comparison with an average of 1.774 honor grades per student for all graduates of Maine secondary schools. Similar figures were seen in 1939-40.

George Grua, Representative to State Legislature, defeated his Republican opponent Wallace E. Day by a vote of 363 to 273 to win his party’s nomination at the fall election in September. Grua received a total of 311 votes in Livermore Falls and 52 votes in Livermore. Antonio Chiaravalotti, who was unopposed on the Democratic ticket, received a total of 174 votes in the two towns. 

In East Livermore  the fire in the cut, down back of the home of Herbert Swift last Tuesday night, was checked by Sidney Webster and a group of neighbors. Additional help from the Livermore Falls Fire Co. stopped the fire before it reached the Swift Buildings.

The Azulikit Club of South Livermore will meet Wednesday, June 26. Place to be decided next week.

According to a report of the 9th State of Maine Scholarship Contest for 1940, based upon competitive examinations taken May 18, Edward Fullam of LFHS was among the ten pupils who ranked highest in the physics examination.

50 years ago:  

A new illuminated sign has been erected at the entrance to the Livermore Falls Trust Co.’s spacious new parking lot. The sign designates the Bank Building as a Commercial Center and list the occupants of the building as including an optometrist, dentist, lawyer, and printer. Men’s clothing and dry goods stores are found there as are insurance and finance companies.

In a freak storm of hail and rain, the residence of Nettie Mitchell in Fayette underwent a surprising ordeal when three times in a period of not more than ten minutes a ball of fire entered and exploded harmlessly in the kitchen. The storm was of brief duration but of tremendous intensity.

Starling Grange Hall was the scene Friday evening of the Fayette Grammar School graduation.

The Hall was beautifully decorated in the class colors of blue and white. There was an abundance of floral tributes with the class motto, “If You Wish to Reach the Highest, Begin at the Lowest.”

One thing which especially surprised and pleased the class was the presence of Principal Maurice Adams of Weld who was formerly principal of the Fayette schools.

A $5,000 Community Facilities Grant to Canton, Maine, to plan a sewer system to cost $406,000 was announced Tuesday by aides of Senator Edmund S. Muskie, D-Maine.

25 years ago:  

Two sisters who started singing together when they were just children recently celebrated their first anniversary with a local singing group.

Lorrie Ferrari and Lynne LeSuer of Jay first sang together in a church choir. A year ago, they decided to form a group with Tony Scucci of New Vineyard called “The Three of Us”.

What makes this group unique is what they do with the money they earn. They give it away.

Livermore Falls Water District Trustees agreed to short term borrowing of $1,100,000 from Livermore Falls Trust until December 4. Interest was set at 7.45 percent and will be paid quarterly.

Payment of the bond issue will require a rate increase to become effective November 1. This will be the first rate increase since 1981 to the District’s 1806 customers.

The fund is to cover the cost of five mile pipe line from Parkhurst Pond, Jay, to Moose Hill Pond. Also covered in the loan are engineering costs, bonding and a contingency fund.

Central Maine Power Co. has begun installing floating safety barriers in front of selected hydroelectric generating stations as part of a recreation-safety program to comply with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regulations.

The buoys and connecting ropes are being placed across water ways approximately 300 feet upstream of dams on several Maine rivers. The Androscoggin River is one of those rivers.

The buoys create a barrier to restrict river users from approaching dams. The barriers would also restrain a boater whose motor failed to start.

Signs are posted on the buoys and elsewhere to indicate a hydro station is ahead and to stay back. The barriers will be removed in the fall as icing season approaches.

Favorite Pastimes is a new business found in the Livermore Falls block. The store, which offers a wide variety of craft, needlepoint, and hobby items and accessories, is run by Brent and Celina Gay.

Compiled by Pam Harnden.