100 Years Ago
Jan. 31, 1913
A few of the local Boy Scouts under charge of the patrol leader, Norman McLeish, and Corporal Robert Black, were of some assistance to two Phillips Academy students last Saturday. The students, who had fallen through the ice at Pomps Pond, were taken up to the Scouts’ camp and warmed and then were taken home. The boys were handsomely rewarded by one of the students with a sum of money to go towards the benefit of Troop 1.
The progressiveness of Andover is general and of Valpey Bros. market in particular was emphasized this week by the shipment from the market of some “good” corned beef to a summer visitor in Andover whose winter home is in Washington, D.C., and who cannot there find the equal of Andover’s corned beef.
Commencing Monday, Feb. 3, Mr. Barton, with his usual liberality, has arranged to provide a continuous performance at Wonderland from 6.45 to 10 p.m., no picture being shown twice during the evening.
Mrs. Lewis, matron of the Home for the Aged, is suffering from a fractured and dislocated shoulder, the result of a fall on Main Street this week.
75 Years Ago
Jan. 28, 1938
Selectman J. Everett Collins has been selected by the Associated Glee Clubs of America Inc., to serve on a committee of three eminent conductors of member clubs to select a “Common Repertoire List” which will be distributed to every male chorus in the United States and Canada in an endeavor to raise the musical standards of the male choruses.
Lionel Buckley of Tewksbury received a bump on his head Tuesday afternoon at 4 when the bakery truck he was driving was hit on Central Street by the beach wagon that delivers papers for the Andover News company.
If it hadn’t been for the Shawsheen Village fire of last May, the year 1937 in Andover would have been able to report an unusually low fire loss, Chief Emerson stated last night in commenting on his report to the selectmen. The report shows a property loss of $41,220, but of this $33,854.15 was American Woolen loss from the May fire.
Andover’s assessment for the operation of the Essex County tuberculosis hospital will increase this year about $250, it was announced by the county commissioners this week. Last year’s assessment was $6,687.51, this year’s $6,933.04.
50 Years Ago
Jan. 31, 1963
Finance Committee Chairman Philip B. Marsden Jr. refused to answer inquiries Tuesday, concerning the cost and income figures being used by that committee in its study of Urban Renewal. He was asked by the Townsman whether the FinCom is using the set of figures agreed upon at a meeting Jan. 17, or whether there is additional material available to the FinCom. “We have nothing to say at all,” Mr. Marsden stated crisply. “When the time comes we’ll make known our decision.”
School population is growing faster than predicted here, on the basis of new figures released by the School Committee. Predictions in 1960 were for 3,708 to 3,987 in 1963. But now it looks like there will be at least 4,115 in all grades.
From an advertisement for Andover Value Days: Andover Co-Op Fresh native chicken, 33 cents/lb.; Andover Gift House, Buenilum Chafing Dish, $12.95; John H. Grecoe Lunt, sterling silver 25% off; Michael Jay’s, Olga Girdles, $6.90; Elander & Swanton, boys’ nylon ski mittons, $2.39; Dantos’ Andover Spa, fresh candy cupboard chocolates, $1.00 per lb.
Kenneth P. Thompson, 45, 6 Howell Drive, is seeking election as selectman at the March 4 balloting.
25 Years Ago
Jan. 28, 1988
In an attempt to solve the over-crowding problem in the elementary schools, the School Committee has voted unanimously to institute the 5-3-4 plan of grade organization next September. The new system will put children in kindergarten through fifth grade in elementary schools, children in grades six through eight in middle schools, and the high school will consist of grades nine through twelve.
Dating in the ‘80s has taken on a life of its own. The sock hops of the ‘50s, the rock and roll and love-ins of the ‘60s and the disco and nightclub rage of the ‘70s have been replaced by the increasing popularity of dating services. Don Blanchette and David Coppola of North Andover saw this as an opportunity to embark on a business venture. “We noticed the market was wide open,” Blanchette said. So he and Coppola established a new dating service called Peer Balance Introductions last October.
Eric and Katie Grunner, 66 Bailey Road, Andover, each won first prize in the Crayola National Coloring Contest. Each child received a five-foot plastic Crayola crayon in recognition of the achievement. Thousands of entries representing every state were submitted and judged on creativity, according to Dean Rodenbough, spokesperson for Binney & Smith, maker of Crayola products.
