75 years ago

Gerry Wade of the State Department of Inland Fisheries and Game, and Arthur Briggs of Westbrook, General Superintendent of Hatcheries and Stations, were guest speakers at the meeting of the Lake Webb Fish and Game Association of Weld, held at the Masonic Hall in that town on Wednesday evening of last week. Owen Harding was master of ceremonies.

The National Guard ball for Farmington has started rolling in Washington. Congressman Ralph O. Brewster has assured the citizens that it will not be long before an opportunity to organize a local company will be at hand.

Republican Town Chairman J. Gordon Spinney of Farmington, at the request of numerous citizens, wrote to Congressman Brewster recently and asked for his influence towards the establishment of a Franklin County National Guard. Mr. Brewster replied thus: “I am glad to have your suggestion regarding a company of Militia in Franklin County and I am very sure that it will not be long before there will be opportunity along these lines as we are undoubtedly going to have considerable expansion of our military training.”

A real shore dinner more than a hundred miles from the waters were the lobsters grow was served at The Herbert in Kingfield, Monday evening of this week. Herbert S. Wing and Mrs. Wing were the hosts. The guests were Trustees and other friends of Franklin County Memorial Hospital. Lobster stew, creamy and with nice flavor, came first, served in copious dishes. The full-sized lobster followed the stew, with melted butter and side-dishes, pickles and crackers, though it rather seems that crackers came with the first order. Clams steamed, surrounding a full cup of bouillon, hot rolls — oh yes, and large thick slices of juicy steak for people whose tastes led in that direction.

On Saturday of this week, there will open in Farmington a thoroughly modern and convenient store, carrying a complete stock of men’s and boys’ clothing, furnishings, and hats. This store, Foster-Whipple Co. (opening on the site of the former Ernest Voter store, 73 Main St.) will be affiliated with the Besse system of 27 stores, rated A-1 throughout New England for the past 62 years.

Trask’s Jewelry Store was advertising a wrist watch as a great graduation gift. The store carried Hamilton, Elgin, Waltham, Bulova, Westfield, and Cardinal watches priced $8.95 and up.

50 years ago

The Farmington State Teachers College will be assigned a foreign administrative intern during the 1965-66 school year. Selected as one of 11 state colleges from approximately 90 applicants, the American Association of Colleges has designated FSTC as the campus to direct the study of a young college administrator from Nepal.

When the Nordica Homestead opens on June 15 for its 37th consecutive season to receive visitors at the shrine maintained as a tribute to Farmington’s world-famed singer Lillian Nordica, it will begin a week filled with activities and programs destined to arouse greater local public interest in the project of the Nordica Memorial Association. At a special meeting of the Association held at the Homestead Tuesday, June 8, the report of the ways and means committee outlined a program unanimously agreed to by officers, trustees, and members present. The program is as follows: Nordica Week, June 14 to June 20; opening day for the museum June 15; Tag Day, June 19; Nordica Picnic, Choral Society Concert, 4 p.m., Open House at the Museum, all on June 20; picnic after the concert.

The Department of Health and Welfare in Augusta has announced that a third case of a rabid fox in the Wilton area has been confirmed. The first was on May 7, the second on June 2 and third June 7. A new clinic will be conducted in Wilton at the Fire Station on June 11 from 9 a.m. until noon and in the afternoon from one o’clock to four o’clock and in the evening from six o’clock until 8 o’clock. All citizens are urged to take their pets to be inoculated.

The following students were recognized as graduates of the Temple Grammar School: Judy Stewart, Alison Jones, Sheila Clark, George Blodgett, and Lawrence Jones.

Marine P.F.C. Gene D. Jordan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles S. Jordan of West Farmington, graduated April 23 from the 22-week Aviation Electrician’s Mate School at the Naval Air Technical Training Center, Jacksonville, Fla. He studied the fundamentals of electricity, electronics, aircraft electrical and instrument systems, troubleshooting and repair of aircraft electrical parts. Jordan also received refresher courses in mathematics and physics. A graduate of Farmington High School, he entered the service in March 1964. Jordan was employed by the Livermore Shoe Company, Livermore Falls.

25 years ago

Wilton town manager Richard Davis and the Board of Selectmen managed to cut the expected raise in the user cost for water from 200 percent to 100 percent. They applied for grants from the Farmers Home Administration and the Department of Economic and Community Development in hope of cutting the rate even more. Because of the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act regulations, they had to cover the Bass Hill Reservoir, a concrete basin containing about 300,000 gallons of water on Bass Hill. Davis noted that the reservoir was leaking and the chlorine was evaporating out, so the water was losing its protective value.

The boys’ team from the Ingalls Elementary School won first place in the Math Problem-Solving meet at Academy Hill School, recently. Included on the team were Seth Jacobs, Peter Fleishman, Erik Miskin, Joel Rose, Scott Levasseur, and Dustin Ireland.

New Sharon was preparing to celebrate its bicentennial in July. Kim Mallette and Hattie Meng were spearheading the festival committee, which was organizing a parade, fishing derby, crazy hat contest, 50/50 raffle, dunk tank and street dance, among other events and games scheduled. The first day of the bicentennial weekend was being sponsored by the New Sharon Fire Department and Auxiliary.

The Carrabassett Valley selectmen unanimously voted to no longer take pay for their services. On a motion by board member Robert Turner, it was agreed that those serving their community should not get paid. Since the town incorporated in 1972 and formed its first board of selectmen, the selectmen had been receiving $200 per year for their services, with a $50 increase for the chairman of the board.

The Farmington Recreation Department was gearing up for a busy summer with its Junior Olympic Track and Field program. Gretchen Eastler was the director, assisted by Dolly Cumpion, Jonah Tyler, Mike DeMarsh, Meg Gould, and other present and former Mt. Blue High School track and field athletes.

Compiled by Barry Matulaitis