125 Years Ago

The Northfield News

April 23, 1885 3 cents a copy/ $1.50 a year

Geo. H Richmond, editor

This day, which has grown into prominence throughout the country, owes its general observation to the Husbandry. Arbor Day, May 1st, with them holds the same relation to the fraternity as does Memorial Day, with the Grand Army of the Republic, but on different days in different States. Our fathers came into a wooded country and their united purpose was to clear away the growing timber as rapidly as possible to obtain "clearings" for the growing of crops. There is not a rod of fertile soil in the whole state but what at some time has been covered with growing timber. The wooded land had been regarded as unprofitable and shade trees a nuisance. The work of whacking down the trees has been overdone in Vermont. No one can realize the desolation of lands and homes without shade trees until he visits the great Western plains and prairies. In many of the Western states the propagation of trees is made prominent and directly profitable by the government, and new lands may be obtained in large quantities, by growing trees simply on a portion of these lands. What with them can only be obtained through great difficulties can be accomplished here with ease. We hope that Gov. Pingree's proclamation setting apart Friday, May 1st, as a holiday, to be devoted to tree planting, may be observed. It is both timely and profitable.

• The spring campaign for sneak thieves is evidently opening well. They commenced their work in the poultry line by stealing a number of hens from J. B. Shortridge, Friday night.

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The season is four weeks late in the State and the snow in the woods is still from 2 to 3 feet deep. The witnesses from Grand Isle in the Meyers murder case, came across Lake Champlain on the ice in the middle of last week. A large quantity of maple sugar is being made, and the prospect is good for a much larger yield than last year.

100 Years Ago

The Northfield News

April 19, 1910 3 cents a copy/$1.25 year

Fred N. Whitney, editor

The warning for a special village meeting is published in another column. It is called for April 27 at 7 o'clock p.m. at Village Hall...The matter of a special tax for building permanent sidewalks is [an] important question While the voters may be inclined to the opinion that the present tax is about all that the taxpayer can stand, it would certainly be a great advantage to the village to extend the walk from the passenger depot platform on the north side of the square to the slate walk in front of the Metcalf block and to also put a permanent walk on the east side of the depot to Central street. The first impression which strangers gain of the town when they drop off the train on a rainy day is not one that we can afford to encourage at the saving of the mud of the much needed walk, to say nothing of its benefits to the home folks.

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Albert Chase received last week from his son, Elroy Chase of Worcester, Mass., who recently sold his interest in a granite sawing machine of his invention for a handsome sum, as was noted in these columns, a great surprise. It arrived in the shape of a latest model 12 h. p. Maxwell runabout automobile and was a complete surprise to Mr. and Mrs. Chase. "Roy" is a son who evidently does not forget "the old folks at home." in his recent prosperity.

75 Years Ago NEWS AND ADVERTISER

April 25, 1935

5 cents a copy, $2 a year

John E. Mazuzan, editor

The work of the schoolboy traffic patrols organized in Northfield a few months ago has provoked much favorable comment. The young men in their white belts and silver badges patrol the busy intersections on Main Street before and after school most effectively. The politely caution pedestrians against jay walking, and help keep their eyes peeled for infractions by motorists, with the result that traffic was never better regulated in Northfield.

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The Company F rifle team participated in a sectional match against Service Company of Montpelier at the State Armory in Montpelier Sunday and won, 947 to 888. It is hoped that this score will qualify Co. F. to fire in the finals for the Regimental Indoor Championship to be held April 28 at Montpelier. Following is a list of the team and their scores: George N. Davis, 194; M. R. Galaher, 192; Eric E. Dole, 190; Robert Snelling, 188; Gail H. Stevens, 183.

50 Years Ago

NEWS AND ADVERTISER

April 21, 1960

5 cents a copy, $2 a year

John E. Mazuzan, editor

During the month of May the entire country celebrates National Hospital Week as a time for citizens everywhere to become acquainted with their local hospitals. In Northfield, we use this month of May to run the annual Penny-A-Day drive which is the only money raising project of the Women's Auxiliary of Mayo Memorial Hospital...The theory behind this type of drive is that every family might be able to save a penny a day, or just $3.65 a year, to purchase new equipment to provide constantly improving hospital care for our families. The money you contribute in this was is never used for maintenance but will purchase something needed over and beyond the regular hospital budget...If you have been saving your pennies, you will have no trouble in finding the $3.65 when a solicitor comes to you.

25 Years Ago

NORTHFIELD NEWS

April 25, 1985 25 cents a copy, $2 a year

Erik Nelson, editor

Miss Angela Wright of Northfield has been selected as a contestant in the 1985 Miss Teen All American Pageant at state level. This is the only state finals of the National Miss All American Pageant to be held in Miami Beach Florida in October. Miss Wright is the daughter of Clarence and Louise Wright of Northfield. She is currently a sophomore at Northfield Jr-Sr. High School. Contestants are judged in three categories, each equally. They are personality, beauty of face and figure in evening gown and one piece swimsuit. There is no talent competition.

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Town Clerk Laurence Robinson announced the estimated tax rate for Northfield residents. The proposed tax rate will be 2% or $2.00 for every $100.00 of appraised property. The tax rate for non-residential property will be 1.8% or $1.80 for every $100.00