75 years ago

Mrs. Malvina L. McCarthy of Jay was hostess to the Eightuvus Bridge Club, Tuesday afternoon, with all members present. A delicious buffet luncheon was served preceding the playing of Bridge. Mrs. Mary V. Strout won the prize for high score; Mrs. Frances Hodsdon, the low score prize; and Mrs. Bertha Thompson, the floating prize.

All the requirements for a perfect social event were on display when A. B. Sargent became the host to the Lions Club of New Portland and neighboring vicinity’s on Monday evening at Tim Pond Camps, of which is he is proprietor. The scenic natural beauty of the locality of the camps gives evidence at first sight of what the splendid possibilities of a Summer outing event there must be, and a majority of the members became fascinated with the idea of attending, arriving promptly to the number of thirty-three, with four guests, besides Mrs. Carrie Viles, who also served as assistant hostess for the event.

Out of a whirlwind of conferences, public meetings and private telephone conversations, Walter A. Black, representative in this area for the enrollment campaign of the Associated Hospital Service, prophesied Wednesday a substantial number of subscribers to the Blue Cross plan by the time the lists are closed Saturday night, not to be reopened for a period of weeks. Franklin County industries, although not so well represented as industries in some other sections, perhaps, will have the names of hundreds of employees on the roll of members; in some instances employers have facilitated the membership of their employees by inaugurating payroll deductions as a method of paying the small monthly dues.

During the electrical storm of Monday afternoon, Mrs. Norman F. Sanborn of Weld was struck by lightning, suffering extensive superficial burns and shock. Dr. G.G. Defoe of Dixfield was called, and first aid was administered by Dr. Spiegel from Swett’s Camp. She is now able to be about again. The house was badly damaged, but is covered by insurance.

Luce’s Studio in Farmington was advertising Special for Dollar Days, with individual sittings and one large picture for $1, along with two proofs to choose from.

50 years ago

John McSorley of Farmington realized the party was in his honor Monday evening at the grange hall, West Farmington, when the program was apparently directed to him in observance of his 80th birthday. children in attendance at the affair, arranged by McSorley’s son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Millett, opened the festivities by singing Happy Birthday.

The Clean-up Club, organized as a result of the Phillips Garden Club Anti-Litter Campaign, by pupils in grades 2 through six, was out in force, Monday afternoon. Armed with brooms, they swept the sidewalks in the business section and cleared away any litter found there. The new trash cans provided by the Garden Club, for this purpose, were put to good use.

A small amount of credit to needy farm and rural families may prove to be one of the Federal government’s biggest weapons in the battle against rural poverty in Somerset and Franklin counties. This is the feeling of John D. Gibson, who supervises the anti-poverty campaign in Somerset and Franklin Counties for the Farmers Home Administration. Among the anti-poverty weapons available in rural areas is a recently authorized loan program which enables eligible farm and rural families to get capital to finance farm or business enterprises that will lead to increased income. The new credit program offers help for the first time to many rural families in Somerset and Franklin Counties who previously were unable to obtain credit to improve their earnings.

The Temple Tigers, led by the pitching of Doug Jones and the hitting of M. Stewart and R. Mosher, bombed the Fairbanks Red Sox by a score of 13-3 on July 13. Doug Jones pitched a brilliant two-hitter while striking out 11 batters. He was in control of the game in every inning except the fourth when he had control trouble and Fairbanks scored a run. Jones settled down and struck out the side with two men on base.

The First Annual Exhibit of the Central Maine Art Center opened Sunday at the Red Barn, on U.S. Route 2 in Farmington, with the nearly 150 persons attending the open house. The exhibit will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through July 31.

25 years ago

The Franklin County Chapter of the United Bikers of Maine (UBM) met Sunday in Kingfield for a Poker Run, and to finalize plans for the Red Cross Blood Drive they are sponsoring August 7 at Murray Hall in Jay. Mike Post, area representative from Jay, explained that this is just one of the charitable ventures the UBM sponsors.

A beautiful day it was last Saturday for the 29th Annual Firemen’s Field Day in Farmington Falls; a day when friends came from far and near to greet friends they haven’t seen since last year. The parade started at 10 a.m. and proceeded through town and down Rte. 2 to Philbrick Park where opening ceremonies were held. Honored guests were Jack and Betty Robertson, who spend the summer months here. They marshalled the parade in a 1931 Ford roadster.

University officials revealed their long term plans for expansion at the Farmington campus to the University of Maine at Farmington (UMF) Alumni Council Wednesday morning. The plan was presented by Jan Becker of Sasaki Associates, an architectural firm from Portland. A number of considerations went into the plan, she said. They include the image and character of the campus, accessibility, pedestrian and automobile traffic, as well as parking problems.

Central Maine Power Company has awarded Tranten’s AG Grocery of Kingfield $17,000 for purchasing an energy-efficient, computer-controlled refrigeration system for the newly constructed store. Store owner Neal Tranten purchased the “MEPS” system, designed and manufactured by the Bangor firm MEPSCO. Besides providing refrigeration, the system controls all air conditioning and lighting in the 90,000s-square-foot store.

Frank Donald, Wilton’s director of Parks and Recreation, announced improvements at Kineowatha Park. A new sign was been put up during summer at a new baseball field at Kineowatha Park. The field was dedicated to Ken Burrill, former director of Parks and Recreation. All of the buildings except one had been re-shingled, and within the next few weeks, the basketball courts were going to be resurfaced.

Compiled by Barry Matulaitis