2013: 10 Years Ago
It was a green — as in greenbacks — Christmas for many Hancock County real estate agencies, which reported their best December sales in memory.
Some attributed the flurry of activity to buyers worried about possible changes in capital gains and estate tax.
Most said buyers simply wanted to take advantage of historically low interest rates and home prices they believe finally hit bottom.
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The Ellsworth Library remains a haven for book lovers, but also is morphing in the digital age into a bustling community center. Anne LaBossiere of Lamoine and Lourie Jordan of Ellsworth are at the library several hours every week for the high-speed internet access on the library’s computers, the quiet time and the friendly ambiance.
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Township 16: First Wind has filed applications with state agencies to build a new 18-turbine wind farm in eastern Hancock County. The project would be located in Township 16 and Township 22. The former is the site of First Wind’s existing 19-turbine Bull Hill wind farm, which went online several months ago.
The Planning Commission will weigh in on shoreland zoning and similar matters because the project is located in an unorganized territory.
1998: 25 Years Ago
Mother Nature’s encore blanketed parts of Downeast Maine with nearly a foot of fresh snow Monday night and Tuesday. Still reeling from the devastating ice storm that left many Mainers stoking their woodstoves and reading by candlelight for more than a week, Hancock County and Washington County residents withstood yet another wintery assault.
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Penobscot: The school board adopted a $1,350,099 education budget for the 1998-99 school year, reflecting a $57,059 increase over the present budget, largely due to higher secondary education program costs.
Castine: Maine Maritime Academy has won a Maine Municipal Association Leader Program Workplace Safety Award for 1997.
The award recognized effective workers’ compensation loss-control and claims management practices. Because of its commitment to safety, the academy will receive a substantial credit toward its 1998 workers’ compensation insurance premium.
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1973: 50 Years Ago
A luncheon was held for Mrs. Ruby Butler of the Maple Crest Nursing Home, East Sullivan, at the Hilltop Restaurant, in honor of her 94th birthday.
Last year Mrs. Butler knitted 54 pairs of mittens for Christmas and one pair of socks. This year she has knitted five pairs of mittens already.
She was born in Franklin and lived in Eastbrook most of her life following her marriage to Leonard Butler. Besides the three children who attended the celebration, she has six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
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Joseph Dombek, headmaster of George Stevens Academy, announced today that the State of Maine Band and Choral directors have selected Miss Lois Solez of Brooksville and Miles Greenacre of Blue Hill to play in the All Maine Band and Orchestra this year in Cape Elizabeth.
A comparative new business in Ellsworth has reopened its doors on a full-time basis.
The Dodge Furniture Stripping and Refinishing Shop, operated by Mr. and Mrs. William Dodge at 230 Main Street, opened yesterday and will remain open year-round.
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1923: 100 Years Ago
At the union service at Hancock Hall Sunday evening, Rev. G.T. Jones of the Unitarian church will speak on “What Should Dr. Grant of New York Do?”
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Murphy’s Hampton Beach Orchestra, one of the famous concert and dance orchestras of New England, is booked for a concert and dance at the Pine Tree Pavilion Monday evening.
President Harding may not come to Lamoine for his summer vacation, but he comes to Ellsworth for his sweaters. When Senator Fredrick Hale appeared on the gold links one day last fall for a round with the President, he wore a handsome new sweater. The President at once fell in love with it, and finding that it was made by Mrs. Ella S. Robertson of Ellsworth, he inquired, through Senator Hale, if Mrs. Robertson would knit him one like it. Of course, she consented, and last week the sweater was shipped to the President. It is beautifully made of the finest Scotch yarn obtainable, black, and the sweater is of the “navy” type.
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