75 years ago

A well attended meeting of the Franklin County Young Republicans was held on Tuesday evening at the office of John D. Jones in Farmington. Arland Fitz of New Sharon was elected as County Chairman, to succeed Mr. Jones. Earl Hawkens of North Jay was elected Vice Chairman, Mrs. Lucille Porter of New Sharon, Secretary-Treasurer, and John Callahan of Farmington, Publicity Agent.

The Pilgrim Fellowship group of young people of Phillips held an outdoor meeting last Sunday evening, on the theme Nature. Leaving the Community House at 5.00, they went by automobiles to Sandy River Pond on the Rangeley road, then climbed about a mile to Piazza Rock, an amazing structure and overhanging cliff on the side of a mountain. Here the 16 crowded the top to eat their lunch and participate in the reading of poems and singing of hymns of the out-of-doors. Though the mosquito was a common visitor, he was soon driven away with some preparation for the purpose. The weather was quite comfortable in the woods and the view of the mountains majestic.

Members of the Class of 1937, New Sharon High School, with their families, to the number of 17, were delightfully entertained by Mr. and Mrs. Guy Day on Sunday, the occasion being the annual class reunion. At the noon hour the fine picnic lunch was served on the lawn, the remainder of the time proving all too short for the enjoyment of reminiscences and good fellowship.

Center of interest in Flower Arrangement, and Conservation of Old Fashioned Roses, were the chief topics discussed at the July meeting of the Farmington Garden Club, held at the North Church vestry on Wednesday afternoon. The first subject was taken up by Mrs. Winifred Whittier, who stated that, as the coming Flower Show would be the eighth annual exhibition, more would be expected of the Garden Club in the way of arrangements. By the help of a number of pictures, she clearly brought out the different floral arrangements, such as the semi-oval, semi-circle, L form, triangle, crescent, and S. The center of interest, she stated, is the heart of the design, heavier material or brighter color denoting the focal point, or axis.

An inspiring and patriotic address by Worthy State Master F. Ardine Richardson of Strong was the outstanding feature of the union meeting of Farmington, Temple, and Chesterville Granges held at the hall of the last-named in North Chesterville on Saturday evening with 101 in attendance. The evening’s program also included a piano solo and encore by C. Robert Pinkham; poem, The American Dream, Velma Bailey of Temple; Flower Show in two scenes by Farmington Grange; vocal solo and encore, Carroll Fuller, with Shirley Hamilton at the piano; extracts from Boston newspaper of July 6, 1811, read by Norman Foss of Temple; stunt in charge of Beatrice Milliken of Farmington Grange; song by Grange.

50 years ago

Clayton J. Varney has received his appointment as acting postmaster at the Phillips Post Office. Born in Skowhegan, Varney is the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Everett Varney and spent most of his early life in Auburn. He was educated in the Auburn grade schools and was graduated from Edward Little High School in Auburn. He is a veteran of World War II, having served with the U.S. Army. He was plant superintendent at Forster Mfg. Co. in Strong for 18 years. He had 20 years of service with this firm. He is a graduate of International Correspondence School, having received a diploma in Foremanship in 1956.

A Special Town Meeting will be held Monday, July 12 at the Community Building in Farmington, it has been announced by Town Manager Ernest L. Sevey. The meeting is called for 11:45 a.m. and after election of a moderator, the polls will open at 12 noon. Citizens will vote on the question of admitting Vienna to the School District and also to elect two School Directors.

Fifteen young people from the First Presbyterian Church at Red Bank, N.J. were busy this week improving the Camp at Eastward in Starks and readying it for the annual camp program of the Mission at the Eastward, directed by the Rev. William J. Burger of Farmington. The camp is a beehive of activity as these young people work to complete cabins, finish the interiors of the infirmary and office building, paint four buildings, and remove the weed growth in the pine grove. They worked with a Job Corps group from Farmington in this camp program.

The Daily Vacation Bible School at the First Baptist Church in Mount Vernon held a closing program on Thursday evening, July 1, at the church. To open the program the students sang, Discovering With Christ, the theme song, America, Onward Christian Soldiers, and The B-I-B-L-E. They also gave the salute to the American and Christian flags.

Final summer session registration figures from Registrar David White of Farmington State indicated today a total of 276 enrolled. This represented a twenty-five percent increase from the last comparable session in 1963. Of this number, said Registrar White, approximately forty percent are enrolled in the Graduate School, while the remainder are registered for undergraduate credit. The session represents the first sequential offerings for advanced study since the graduate degree was authorized by the State Board of Education following the close of the 101st Legislature.

25 years ago

Recreation Director Steve Shible has spoken with the Farmington Board of Selectmen about the continued problems with the gym floor at the community center. Mr. Shible said that the annual cleaning and refinishing of the floor would start in the middle of August and, if any corrections are to be made, they should be done before this time. Town Manager John G. Edgerly went with Mr. Shible to inspect the floor and attested before the Board to the rolls, dips, bumps and heaves in the floor, suggesting players on the floor could be injured.

SAD #9’s Board of Directors voted unanimously Tuesday evening to create a half-time Principalship at the New Sharon School for the 1990-91 school year. New Sharon School, which has an enrollment of 213, presently shares principal Tom Taylor with the Ingalls School. When the new Farmington Elementary School is completed, Mr. Taylor will be moving into that school as its principal.

Literacy Volunteers of America-Maine has been in Franklin County for 22 years, teaching reading skills to the citizens, said Martha Fleishman of Farmington, coordinator for a pilot program to help young readers during the summer. This summer, Franklin County Literacy Volunteers are “reaching out to new young readers,” by offering a Summer Support Reading Program. This pilot project is open to Wilton children who attend primary school. Mrs. Fleishman said, “games, stories, and songs will be part of the fun.”

Shawn Gray came through with a big win for the Franklin County Rangers Monday evening, pitching a complete game 6-4 win over Fairfield in Zone II American Legion baseball action at Hippach Field. In going the distance, Gray recorded ten strike-outs and walked four, while giving up six hits in a must-win situation for the Rangers (11-5).

Compiled by Barry Matulaitis