Looking Back
10 years ago: Brad Wight was presented a plaque on his retirement from the Newry Fire Department after 25 years of service. C.N. Brown advertised No. 2 heating oil for a cash price of $3.49 9 /gallon.
Death: Carolyn M. Lindsay.
20 years ago: After 42 years in business, Bob Coolidge sold his Locke Mills village store to Chris Marshall and Charlotte Freed. Crescent Park Elementary School pupils collected food for the District Exchange’s food pantry, and delivered it via a human chain from the school to the pantry.
Deaths: Malcolm D. McLean Sr., Margaret K. Nangle
30 years ago: Lester Bailey, Andover, was elected chairperson of the county’s Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Committee. At a special town meeting, Bethel voters narrowly approved the town buying back 4.5 acres of land sold to GAMM II in 1987, plus a 21,000-square-foot industrial building later constructed on the site.
Births: Samantha Anne Myers, Lucas Miles Schandelmeier.
Deaths: Emily C. Saunders, Evelyn Rich.
40 years ago: Telstar’s varsity ski jumping team was enjoying excellent snow conditions to begin early season jumping on the Swan’s Corner jumps. West Bethel’s Pleasant Valley Grange hosted a Christmas party for children of the community and their parents.
50 years ago: A light was installed in the belfry of the West Bethel Church in honor of Fred Grover. A tree fell on Alden Wilson when he was working in the woods, breaking his collar bone and several ribs.
Birth: Jeffery Leon Dickson.
Deaths: Mrs. Elinor Linnell McDonald, Arnol R. Brown, Miss Emily Tuell, Delbert C. Harding, Dora Lee Harding, Willard R. Cole, Mrs. Lila Barnett.
60 years ago: Parker Connor was a patient at Stephens Memorial Hospital after breaking his leg in a skiing accident. Pfc. Benjamin Kellogg, Fort Dix, New Jersey, was spending a few days at his home. A fire of unknown origin destroyed the home of Leo Witter in Gilead village.
Death: Thomas E. Cunningham.
70 years ago: Mrs. Bertha Davis suffered shoulder injuries, Alfred Buck was shaken up and received a broken ankle, and Kenneth Swan was knocked down but uninjured when struck by a car, which skidded when avoiding a group of children at Locke Mills.
Birth: Lee Ann Gilbert.
Death: John J. Mack.
80 years ago: The first big snowfall measured 16 inches at North Newry. The Bethel Home Guard was holding drill in the Grange Hall.
Deaths: Sam Badger, Mrs. Lena Bailey Bartlett.
90 years ago: Frank Hunt was manager of the skating rink on the Common. Bethel and Dixfield Lions Club members, with their ladies, were entertained by Newton S. Stowell at a banquet at Hotel Stanley, Dixfield.
Deaths: Walter G. Conant, Arthur Melburn Bean.
100 years ago: Bethel Inn was open and enjoying good patronage for winter sports.
Deaths: Miss Annie Cross, Mrs. Lula Arno Cushman.
120 years ago: A rural free delivery route was established taking territory from Bryant Pond to Rumford by way of North Woodstock and Milton. Charles H. Davis purchased the Lake Stage of Warren Emery.