Looking Back
10 years ago: MSAD 44’s school board unanimously approved Cheryl Lang as the new Telstar High School principal. The Oxford County Gem and Mineral Association held its annual show at Telstar. The Bethel Community Theater was preparing to present its first show, “A Very Potter Musical.”
Births: Sophia Ann Corson, Ryder David Laperle.
Deaths: William G. Koch, Kenneth Hill, Jr., Roland L. Marshall, Delores Olson.
20 years ago: Newry Fire Department and Bethel and Tri-Town Rescue teamed up to rescue a Pennsylvania man who fell trying to jump across Screw Auger Falls.
Fifty-four local players attended the Bethel Soccer Camp under the direction of Brett Shifrin and Brad Clarke. Gil Seeley, North Newry correspondent for the Bethel Citizen since 1991, retired at the age of 97.
Births: Eli Whalen Shifrin, Benjamin Charles Adams, Payton Storm Berry, Brooklynn Ann Merrill, Dahlea June Crane, Alexander Scott Bresette, Dawson Cole Vincent.
Deaths: Sylvia Ann Tutko, Richard C. James, Jr., Robert Hinkley, Sr., Marvin J. Binete, Ruth D. Mallar, Ellen H. Keene, Beverly J. Sweetser, Natalie M. Hunt, Cynthia B. Waugh, Ida O. Kuvaja, Ruth Kimball Libby.
30 years ago: Winning floats in the MollyOckett Day parade, which featured a “Bethel in the ’40s” theme, were Pooh Corner Farm, the Bethel Bicentennial Committee, and Dr. John Mason’s office.
Robert and Camilla Everett purchased Bethel Auto Sales from Brad and Judy Barker.
A bolt of lightning struck the large fir tree at Ed and Beth Hitchcock’s Pointed Fir B&B on Paradise Street.
Births: Benjamin Hunter Conkright, Regan Mackenzie Souve, Thomas Erastus Westleigh, Megan Therese Currier, Heather Marilyn Lincoln, Stanley Jarrett Fox, Alexus Paige Broomhall, Lee-Ann Rose Powell, Kayla Marie Brackett.
Deaths: Eva H. Record, Harold Basil White, Harold N. Maxfield, Leo R. Schwartz, Helen R. Reavis, Dorothy L. Shirley, Evelyn Hilborn.
40 years ago: The State Legislature issued a citation of recognition to The Bethel Oxford County Citizen for their “outstanding services to date.”
Kay Zimmer joined the staff of the Evans Notch Ranger District as its new forestry technician.
An estimated 3,000-4,000 people were in town for Bethel’s annual MollyOckett Day celebration.
Births: Forest Alden Duplessis, Erin Marie Tripp, Christine Lynn and Gordon John MacKenzie III, Lindsay Beth Pitcher, Katherine Violet Swasey, Kurt Bradley Wight, Ian James Andrews, Camden Elliot-Williams.
Deaths: Lawrence B. Billings, Desmond L. Oakes, Michael Allen Merrifield, Jr., Hattie F. Crocker, Grace Ward, Bernard Morgan, Rena A. Spidell, Cecil A. Lapham, Stanley E. Seames, Waina E. Heikkinen, Earl R. Enman.
50 years ago: Drs. Om and Usha Wadhera announced the opening of their offices on Paradise Hill Road, Bethel.
Alan Chapman, Bethel, received top honors in the woodsmen’s events at the Pulp and Paper Days held in Jay.
Bethel Emergency Ambulance and Rescue Service’s new ambulance, a Wayne Care-o-Van on a Dodge chassis, was delivered.
Births: Marietta Tasanauau Walker, Christopher Martin, Dean Harlan Girard.
Deaths: Melford Nelson Perham, Ralph E. Hatstat, Sr., Archie R. Cummings, Philip J. Bailey, Harry D. Taylor, Sr., Neil James Smith, Mrs. Pauline S. Frankewicz, Earle E. Billings.
60 years ago: A ditch-digger owned by Neill Pipeline Corp. of Dallas, Texas, was in the area preparing the way for the Portland Pipeline’s new 24-inch crude oil line.
“Forest Lodge,” consisting of four buildings on 2 acres on Rapid River, was listed for sale for $12,500.
Eric Paul fell from the roof of the Godwin chicken house and was taken to the hospital by ambulance.
First prize winner in the carriage section of the MollyOckett Day Parade was “Mary Poppins,” with Anne Marie Rolfe, Nathan and Douglass Greenleaf, and Perdita Davis.
Births: Cheryl Lee Carrier, Adam Carl Gammon, Robert Harold Mills, Eric Hutchins.
Deaths: LaForest B. Campbell, Calvin J. Ritcey, Katherine Virginia Kellogg, Mrs. Wilhelmina Simpson, Harry A. Packard, Rex E. Martin, Mrs. Mary A. Holt.
70 years ago: Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Fossett entertained members of the Methodist Couples Club at their cottage at Pemaquid.
Members of the Gould Academy Class of 1940 enjoyed a reunion at Songo Pond Beach.
Over 1,000 people gathered in the old Smith field and at the Grange Hall to celebrate Newry’s Sesquicentennial.
Births: Cynthia Joan Kailey, Deven Andrews, Valerie Jean Knights.
Deaths: Mrs. Pearl Weeks Lombard, Mrs. Nellie Abbott, Frank Hale, Mrs. Ada Rolfe, Kusti V. Ylen, Mrs. Kathryn Hennan.
80 years ago: Clayton Mills purchased the building on Main Street formerly occupied by the Star Lunch. Ernest Mundt bought the Nelle Burbank property on Railroad Street.
Sugar for canning was advanced to 10 lbs. per person by the local rationing boards.
Deaths: Mrs. Mary Powers Benton, Mrs. Asenath Lois Parker.
90 years ago: Vacation Bible School held closing exercises at the Congregational Church.
Bears were reported killing stock in pastures.
Daniel Wight, fire warden on Old Speck, Grafton, was trying out flash signals using mirrors from the mountain on clear days.
Deaths: Guy H. Ingalls, Jack Hayes.
100 years ago: There was a large attendance at the Middle Intervale Community Get-Together. Open house was held at the Carter homestead.
The fire whistle was put out of commission by lightning.
Fred Hall had a pool room in the rear of his barber shop on Main Street.
G.L. Thurston’s hardware store was broken into. Some money was taken and a few small articles.
Deaths: Frank Young, Charles H. Gilbert, Whitefield Swicker, Eugene F. Haines, Mrs. Betsy Hastings.
110 years ago: Edward P. Lyon purchased the jewelry and phonograph departments of the Edward King store.
The town of Rumford appropriated $45,000 for the construction of a public building.
120 years ago: John Swan and a crew of carpenters had begun the erection of D.C. Philbrook’s Mechanic Street house.
A large and appreciative audience patronized the “All ’Round Entertainment” at Odeon Hall, and the social dance after the farce was enjoyed by about 30 couples.
Edwin C. Rowe’s store was burglarized of about $25 worth of goods, and $3.57 from the money drawer.
Deaths: Mrs. Lois Cordelia Bean, Mrs. Nathan Mill, Elijah Day, Mrs. Davis G. Leach.