Page 25 - Spring 2024

Around Town

By Paula Woodworth ‘70

Did You Know? by the logo (below, left) on their vests and hoodies. They
will be stationed around town at all the venues and star
Mansur Block Clock is Installed… parks to direct visitors, answer questions and keep things
running smoothly. After this trial by fire, the Gateway
Ambassadors will be available to assist with the many
functions planned during the year in Houlton.

Houlton Canopy Crew to Beautify Town….

What a treat to walk into the Square one morning and
see this beautiful new clock being installed on the
Mansur block. John Harvell has purchased this property
and is doing extensive renovations. As part of this work,
he has added this historic looking clock to the building.
If you look at old photos of the building you will see that
it closely resembles the clock that was there many years
ago. It’s also matches the new clock placed by the library
last summer. We are loving the nod to history that these
new clocks have brought to our Downtown.
When the trees were removed from the front of the
Gateway Ambassadors Formed… Courthouse last April, a group of concerned citizens met
to talk about how we can save our local trees. Ongoing
We have a new discussions led to the formation of the Houlton Canopy
group of trained Crew whose focus is replacing trees that have been
and enthusiastic lost around town, and planting and maintaining the
volunteers who Downtown and Pierce Park gardens.
will test their
knowledge and A grant from the Putnam Trust has provided funds to
stamina during purchase new plants for all the gardens this Spring. Many
the Eclipse hours were spent last Fall cleaning out all the gardens
weekend in April. in preparation for Winter. More time was spent over
The Gateway the Winter planning the plantings for each garden and
Ambassadors ordering the plants.
have been
meeting monthly Working in conjunction with the Soil and Water
over the last year Conservation District and Houlton Public Works, work is
and now weekly as the eclipse approaches. They have ongoing to identify trees that need to be removed and
met at various clubs and museums around town to learn replaced.
more about their activities. But the main focus for the Be sure to check out all the Downtown gardens later in
past few months has been preparing for their role in all the Spring and see the work that has been done.
the eclipse activities. The ambassadors will be identified

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