Page 52 - Newsletter_Spring_2022

admits it was fun to watch hundreds of people stroll the 2022 to be $100,000. More recently HHSAA added the Tools
downtown studying the store fronts with the many pictures & Training Grant program with another $25,000 to award to
on display. The 2000 multi-year reunion was also the school’s non-traditional students. How far we have come in 25 years!
100th anniversary and it has continued every five years until
Covid. We look forward to restarting this in July 2022. Thinking about becoming involved in HHSAA? Karen
encourages you and says, “you can make it work”. The
When asked about a special memory from being on the commitment time is up to you. You can be out in front
board, Karen, like many others, says, “I miss Paul Porter.” leading an activity/event or behind the scenes helping with
Paul was a member of the board who spearheaded the original new ideas, designs, or moving things. It’s easy enough to “fall
Gala idea and he passed away suddenly in January 2015 just right in” as there are so many things that we need help with.
as planning for the 2015 multi-year reunion had started. HHSAA is a great place to network with other alum from
Karen recalled how Paul would give you a hard time about an different years and make “new” friends. You don’t have to be
idea, but in the end, he would always help in the background. a member of the board. There are many people doing small
Karen’s example was the idea to decorate using lights on things for HHSAA. Many hands make light work! What’s
trees. Paul thought it would take a lot of trees and lights and your talent, hobby or interest? Reach out and ask how you
connecting them all to electricity. In the end, Paul was one of could be involved.
the ones who helped cut those “trees”, which were just sturdy
branches, put them in nicely covered buckets of rock/dirt and Writer’s note: I recently saw and spoke with Rachael Sylvester
string lights on them to decorate the edge of the civic center. Good ’60 and hope to be able to sit with her this summer for
an interview. She is doing well. I also spoke with Rae Davies
Karen spoke of how “AMAZING” our alum and friends of Johnston ’50 on the phone about doing an interview for her and
HHS are with their generosity. She pointed out that HHSAA her late husband, Charlie ’49, both original board members. Rae
is admired throughout the state for the Endowment Fund, is keeping busy with all her volunteer activities.
now over $3.2 million, and the scholarships, anticipated for

NEWS FROM THE NET

By Fred Grant ’88

The Houlton High School Alumni Association is better connected online than most. The items you
probably already know about are: The website, digitized yearbooks, online forums, donation portals,
reunion registrations, streaming of graduation, and class lists. Even with all that, I often get asked what
other ways alumni can connect with the town and school. Here are some great ways that you may not
have considered! Be sure to check them out at different times of the year as content can be seasonal!
• Houlton Alumni Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/HoultonHighAlumni
• McGill’s Community Band - https://www.facebook.com/mcgillsband and https://www.mcgillsband.com/
• You Know you grew up in Houlton, Maine if… (a group dedicated to pictures and stories from days gone by)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/54282147852
• Market Square Webcam - http://whoufm.com/houlton-webcam/
• Houlton Middle/High School Music Boosters - https://www.facebook.com/groups/314928978548486
• Houlton Shires Athletics - https://www.facebook.com/ShiresAthletics
What are your favorite ways for staying connected to Houlton and other alumni? Drop me a note and let me know. I’m
always available at fred@whoufm.com

Take care,
Fred

Fred Grant
Northern Maine Media | WHOU 100.1 FM | www.whoufm.com | (207) 532-3600

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