Thumbing the files

Thursday, September 9, 2010

From the files of The Cabinet Sept. 9-16

98 years ago, 1911

Charles Tonella of Milford attended the meeting and convention of the Granite Men’s Association in Detroit.

This item on Page 1: “All the Milford Moosers, as well as some who have not yet laid in a stock of bandannas, are planning to hear Gov. Hiram Johnson of California, Roosevelt’s running mate, when he speaks in Manchester.”

Ruth McIntire of Milford’s Order of the Eastern Star, was chosen Grand Electra of the state at the state convention.

Police Chief Goodwin of Milford “has had several drunk cases to handle the past week, and some of the unfortunates had to go to Grasmere for a term.”

People could buy Foley Kidney Pills to cure their backache and rheumatism.

President Taft sent two more troops of cavalry to the Mexican border because of “the intolerable effrontery of the rebels along the border.”

75 years ago, 1935

Milford’s American Legion Auxiliary won three honors at the state convention in Nashua: the Trophy Cup for best membership percentage; a gavel for greatest numerical gain from one convention to another; and a pendant to Auxiliary President Mrs. Winifred Bianchi for best individual work in getting new members.

Baseball news: After a summer of discussions, controversies and near-insults, the series that the whole town was talking about was at last ready to go: The Milford A.C. would meet the Milford Cubs in a doubleheader at Endicott Park.

Earl Blaik was coach and Jack Kenny was quarterback of the Dartmouth College football team.

The Town Hall Theater in Wilton was showing Will Rogers in “Doubting Thomas.”

50 years ago, 1960

Milford’s tax rate was $6.66 per $100 of assessed value.

John E. Ruonala of Milford was selected to receive a lieutenant’s commission in the Air Force. He was an instructor navigator at Pease Air Force Base in Portsmouth.

A man named Dick Odell was running for county commissioner and his slogan was, “Ring the Bell with Dick Odell.”

Barbara Wilson of Milford was offering piano lessons.

Fulgoni’s (formerly Trombly’s Clam and Dairy Bar) on Elm Street, Milford, was offering fried clams, shrimp, scallops, chicken, steaks and “all flavors” of ice cream.

American Home Toy Parties was looking for demonstrators in Milford and Wilton. Demonstrators could earn $20-$30 a night.

Milford’s Latchis Theater was showing Doris Day and David Niven in “Please Don’t Eat the Daisies.”

The Wilton Town Hall Theater was showing Sterling Hayden and Ann Vereta in “Terror in a Texas Town.”

25 years ago, 1985

Phoebe Flory of Mont Vernon and Susanne Holcombe of Milford were exhibiting their art work in the lobby of the American Stage Festival.

“New Era,” billed as “a contemporary quality and fashion store for today’s style conscious woman,” opened in Milford’s Elm Street Plaza next to Potato Head Restaurant.

Editor Bill Rotch, in a brief editorial, pointed out that “a new dirty word has been coined by the Peterborough Transcript, which in a headline over a letter about development, urges its readers not to allow the ‘Milfordization’ of Peterborough.”

Daniel J. Kline of Amherst, in a letter to the editor, charged that The Cabinet’s liberal bias was shown in its coverage of the Labor Day parade when it didn’t give enough space to “uplifting” floats like one from the Colonial Hills Baptist Church.

Lee Mayhew celebrated his first year on the job as Milford’s administrative assistant.

Wilton was wondering whether to hire a part-time professional planner.

Milford’s Cynthia Foss, a senior at Syracuse University majoring in television and film production, was interning at WBZ television, Channel 4, in Boston working on the Evening Magazine show.

Kevin Boyle was quarterback of the Milford Area Senior High football team.