75 years ago

Mrs. L.D. Moody gave a party on Friday in honor of the 8th birthday of her daughter Barbara at the family home in Strong. Games were enjoyed during the afternoon. Those present were Dera Haines, Elaine and Eleanor Beal, Corinne Peary, Ruth Worthley, Jacqueline Luce, Rosalind Lambert, Marilyn and Nathalie Raymond, Frances Goodwin, Gwendolyn Stewart, Robert Haines, Maurice Lambert, Celestine Wing, Blaine Moody and the honor guest.

The Floating Bog at the foot of Wilson Lake, Wilton, which has caused so many headaches for the town fathers and so much comment, wonder and speculation for townspeople and tourists alike, is once more on the march. This time, under the direction of Cirlie Dubois of Rumford and Meride Boivin of Wilton, it is being taken to what is hoped and believed to be its last resting place — namely the old Eustis gravel pit on the North Jay Road.

With an attendance of nearly 50 Masons and Star members, and an equal number of the church family and visitors, at the morning service of the Federated Church in New Sharon, honor was paid to the Saints, John the Baptist and John the Devine. The service, which was held in the flower decorated Congregational Church, featured music by the combined Senior and Junior choirs of the church, with Mrs. Clara Fitz at the organ.

Edna Libby of Farmington, Margaret Mooar of East Wilton, Bernadette Richard of Riley, Barbara Farrington of Dryden, Jacqueline Arsenault and Nellie Merchant of Weld, Philip Mosher of Dryden, George Walsh of Jay, and Colby Chandler of Farmington are among the 200 outstanding members and leaders of Maine 4-H Clubs at the University of Maine this week-end (June 26 to 30), attending the 10th annual State 4-H Club Camp, at which there are delegates from all Maine counties.

The program opened on Wednesday afternoon, with President Arthur A. Hauck welcoming the delegates to the University. Dean Arthur L. Deering of the College of Agriculture spoke on some recent developments in the field of agriculture and Miss Ella Gardner of the U.S. Department of Agriculture led the group in singing and recreation.

Anne’s Specialty Shop in Farmington was advertising new dresses from $1.98 and up. Dill’s in Farmington was advertising shirt and slack ensembles for boys from $1.50 and up, tennis shirts from 39 cents up, and sport shirts from 75 to 95 cents.

50 years ago

The formation of the School District Planning Committee was unanimously voted into existence Monday evening, June 14, at the Strong High School by a group of citizens representing School Union 36. The group was comprised of school study committee members, town officers, and school board members from the towns of Avon, Kingfield, Madrid, New Vineyard, Phillips, and Strong. The goal of this committee is to form an area school administrative district as soon as possible.

The annual meeting of the Phillips Historical Society was held Monday evening at the Community House. There were 22 present. President Vincent York presided.

A permanent home for the society was explained by Mrs. Miriam Trecartin, who advised the society that the Etta Vose house is available and could be used for a Historical Society House and Phillips Public Library. The following committee was appointed to investigate the matter: Robert Beal, Bronson Griscom, and Mrs. Trecartin.

Cliff Bubier, Franklin County Civil Defense Administration Officer, and Charles Gordon, County CD Intelligence Officer, attended the annual conference of the United States Civil Defense Council held at West Point, N.Y. The announcement was made by Richard H. Bell, Franklin County Director. Franklin County was one of three Maine counties represented at the conference, attended by CD personnel from throughout the East, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

Miss Elinor Bryant, Mrs. Faye Voter, and Mrs. Bea Milliken won high scores for the Farmington Grange Lecturers’ Activity sponsored Women’s Bowling League for grangers and their friends this past season. The team held its closing banquet Monday evening at the Lakeshore Restaurant, North Livermore. Trophies were presented prior to the banquet to the high scorers.

25 years ago

More than thirty stones and monuments at Fairview Cemetery were tipped over, and at least one stone was taken, sometime during the night Tuesday. Scott Adams, director of Adams Funeral Home in Phillips, and president of the Farmington Cemetery Association, went with Officer Joyce Richard to the cemetery to list the damages. Officer Richard said the damage will run into the thousands of dollars.

The Carrabassett Valley selectmen had told town manager William Gilmore to look into the cost options for either renting a compactor or purchasing one to take care of the excessive amount of cardboard presently being taken to the town’s transfer station for disposal. Consolidated Waste Services of Norridgewock told Gilmore that a compactor could be rented for $275 a month. The rental charge for the 50 cubic yard container, Mr. Gilmore said, would be $30 a week. The fee for hauling and swapping the full containers would be $275 per trip.

Paul Berube was the 1990 winner of the annual Wilkins Memorial Tournament at Wilson Lake Country Club. Club pro Rick Carlton announced that Mr. Berube, who was 75 years old, won with a net score of 66. He was also the winner of that trophy back in 1955, when he was 40.

The New Sharon Comprehensive Planning Committee has reviewed information received from George Smith of “Maine-ly Marketing” at their interview with him on June 4th. They are planning to hire him as the professional consultant who will assist them in the final stages of the planning process. The committee, currently spearheaded by Cathy Ramsey, chose Mr. Smith because he offers “several benefits” which they believe will aid them in completing their plan as smoothly as possible.’

Compiled by Barry Matulaitis