Page 13 - Newsletter_Fall_2022

Around Town

By Paula Woodworth ‘70

Did You Know?

It’s time for a change. For the past few years I have focused on HHS grads who own local businesses in “Home Grown Houlton”.
Now I am starting a new column, “Around Town” , that will focus on the latest news of interest in Houlton. I am often contacted
to see if I know what is happening in town, so let’s make it official . It won’t be a gossip column (although that could be fun!) but will
inform you of current items of interest.

The Grange Curtain- The Clock- The Eclipse-

A Houlton treasure has returned home. And they say nothing ever happens in
By now, many of you have heard about Houlton. It turns out that Houlton is
or seen the Grange curtain that is now going to be the perfect place to view the
on display at the County Co-op. This Contributed photo to show style April 2024 eclipse. Plans are underway
beautiful curtain at one time graced the to figure out where to put all the people
stage of the Houlton Grange. Somehow Thanks to the generosity of the Odd who will travel from afar to see the
it ended up in an antique store in East Fellows, Rockabema Lodge, a beautiful eclipse. It is expected that at least 10,000
Texas. Efforts were underway to raise new clock will soon be found near extra people will arrive in Houlton.
funds to purchase the curtain when a the library. The Odd Fellows wanted Houlton is in the path of totality with a
Houlton native stepped in. Jamie Millar to donate something to the town that duration of 3 minutes and 19 seconds.
bought the curtain and had it shipped to would be a gift for generations to This will be a huge business opportunity
Henry Gartley at the Aroostook County appreciate. The town will maintain for the town with eclipse events
Historical and Art Museum. Then the the clock and provide the electricity. scheduled from April 5-9. Monday,
search began for a large enough space The clock will be 11 feet high, black April 8, will be Eclipse time from 2:22
to display the curtain, and the Co-op aluminum with four sides with gold to 4:41 with totality at 3:32. There is a
turned out to be the ideal location. A lettering featuring “Houlton” and committee already working on all the
crew of volunteers gathered at the Co-op “Established in 1807”. Hopefully the details of logistics for this event. $90,000
to get the curtain put into its new space. clock will be in place before Winter. has been raised so far to fund the various
The consensus is that the Co-op is the Come Downtown and check out the activities and promotions for the week.
perfect place to display this Houlton clock and the Grange curtain. Stay tuned for further information. This
treasure. Be sure to stop by to see this will be an exciting time for Houlton!
piece of Houlton history that is a true
work of art. Thank you, Jamie, for this
wonderful gift to the town. It is expected that at least 10,000 extra
people will arrive in Houlton.

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