75 years ago

Shattering all precedent, President Franklin D. Roosevelt was re-nominated for a third term by acclamation, late Wednesday evening at the Democratic National Convention being held in Chicago. Although the President had previously announced to the Convention that he had no desire or purpose to run again, it was expected from all quarters that the Chief Executive would accept the nomination Thursday.

The Greatness of Womanhood, a stirring challenge to each mother and daughter to be true to the very highest ideals, was the message brought by the Rev. Helen B. Holman of Kingfield to the members of the Young Women’s Guild of the Phillips Baptist Church and their mothers and guests at their first Mother-Daughter Banquet, held Tuesday evening. Other members on the evening program conducted by the acting President, Evangeline Beal, included the singing of hymns by the entire group; a duet, I Would Be True, by Pauline Weston and Evelyn Wilson; a solo, I Dream of Jeanie, by Rev. Cecil T. Grant.

That Maine can still boast of huge timber resources and a large lumber trade be made known to the nation this week by means of a striking article in the Saturday Evening Post, members of the Maine Development Commission revealed today. The story was written for the national weekly magazine by John Coggswell, widely-known Boston newspaperman. Eleven colored pictures by Bill Hoff, New York photographer, in a two page layout contribute to make the article one of the most noteworthy of its kind the magazine has ever published.

A joint meeting of the Executive Committee and the Scouters Forum of the Sandy River District of the Boy Scouts of America was held on Wednesday evening at the Grange Hall in New Sharon. A chicken pie dinner was put on by the ladies of the Grange. Dr. L.M. Schmidt of Strong presided in the absence of Chairman C.L. Austin of Farmington. Plans were discussed for the next District Camporee, to be held at Farmington Falls August 2, 3, and 4.

Some ideas of the rapid growth of non-profit hospitalization plans, such as the Associated Hospital Service of Maine, was given by Walter P. Black in a recent talk before staff members of the Franklin County Memorial Hospital. There are now 60 of these Blue Cross plans in operation in this Country, he said, with more than 5,000,000 members.

50 years ago

Joseph H. Bowell and his wife, Ethel Donahue Bodwell, hosted a reunion of the Donahue family at their home at 118 Main St., Farmington, Sunday, July 22. Over fifty members consisting of Mrs. Bodwell’s three sisters, four brothers and their families were present. They came from all points of the compass. Those from farthest away were Ruth Donahue Goddard, her husband and her daughter and granddaughter Mrs. Glenys and Miss Marsha Spangler, of Sonoma, Calif.

In observance of her 75th birthday, Mrs. Verna M. Yeaton of Farmington was given a surprise party Sunday at the home of her youngest son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence E. Yeaton at Gaylawn Farm, Farmington. The affair was held in conjunction with the annual reunion of the seven sons of Mrs. Yeaton and the late Norman H. Yeaton.

The Phillips Junior Chamber of Commerce was organized at a meeting of 30 young men and boys Wednesday evening, July 7, at Alumni Hall in Phillips. The club chose to dedicate itself to good civic causes and the growth of Phillips, and the expansion of recreation facilities. They specifically undertook to raise money for purchasing land for the Veterans’ Memorial Park. Officers elected and installed were: president, Robert B. Ross; vice president, Everett Toothaker; secretary, Rex Ellis, and treasurer, Dennis Berry. Rex Ellis was elected delegate to the Veterans’ Memorial Park Commission. Town Manager Malcolm Sibulkin was named advisor.

O.T. Austin, formerly Chief Industrial Engineer for four years at Forster Mfg. Co., Inc., Wilton, has rejoined the company as General Manager of the Stratton Division. Prior to his rejoining Forster, Austin was General Manager for the Houlton-International Corp., Houlton.

Mrs. Eva Jackson of Waterville entertained with humorous readings, Monday, at the annual picnic of the Franklin County Retired Teachers Association held at the Kingfield home of Mr. and Mrs. Parker Norton. There were 34 members and guests in attendance.

25 years ago

Mother Nature smiled down upon New Sharon this weekend as the town celebrated its 200th birthday. The festivities began Friday evening as family, friends, and co-workers gathered in droves outside the New Sharon Congregational Vestry to pay tribute to Jim Smith, former first selectman who served the town tirelessly for twenty-nine years. Mr. Smith, the conservative, intuitive farmer, whose Yankee ingenuity managed to maintain New Sharon’s enviable debt-free financial position throughout his tenure, was roasted as well as toasted by a capacity-plus crowd under one of Kevin McShane’s 200-person tents.

Better late than never, Lawrence “Rusty” Lee will be honored on Weld Heritage Day as the Weld Volunteer Fire Department’s designee for his efforts in establishing the department several years ago. Prompted by the loss of his own family home to fire, Rusty and a handful of about 12-15 men became the fire fighting unit in town, guided by former Wilton Chief Raymond Whitney’s advice.

The Select Committee on Comprehensive Planning began to set goals for itself Tuesday night with Chairman Byron Davis, Franklin County’s Economic Development Coordinator. Mr. Davis repeated that any plan adopted by the committee is only tentative as it has to go before the Comprehensive Planning Committee (a.k.a. Planning Board) for approval. Walter Gooley suggested that the goal of maintaining agricultural vitality be expanded or placed in a separate statement to include forestry and the environment.

Dustin Ireland drove in the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning to help the Farmington All-Stars capture the Farmington Elks Area Little League All-Star Series, 4-3, over the North Oxford All-Stars at the West Farmington Little League Field. In winning the ten-team double elimination tournament, the Farmington All-Stars ran up an impressive 5-0 record during the four days of competition.

Compiled by Barry Matulaitis

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