1982
May 1982
May 1982 was pretty quiet in Hollis, according to the Hollis Times. There were no landmark decisions made by town boards, and no controversial issues captured citizens’ interest. On May 9, 1982, however, a long-time Hollis resident and public servant, Charlie Dow, passed away at the age of 72. According to the obituary published in the May 26, 1982 Hollis Times, Charlie came to Hollis in 1925 and became a permanent resident in 1932. He was employed for 45 years by the highway department, with 25 years as road agent. He served with the Hollis Police Department for 18 years and with the Hollis Fire Department for 18 years, retiring as a captain. That is a lot of years of service!
Obituaries never tell the whole story of how a man lived his life; friends do. Karen Bosquet, wife of Hollis Police Chief Paul Bosquet, wrote an article in the same issue titled “Who Was Charlie?” which provides an insight into the way Charlie Dow lived his life. “Road Agent, Fireman, Policeman and, most of all, friend,” she began. “Charlie was one of the best friends Hollis has ever had. He worked always with the thought in mind to save the town money and still do the best job. Charlie was always there when needed, whether it be fixing something in the cellar for a woman who had just lost her husband, or building on a small porch for a couple who had just built a house. Often when out plowing, he would come to a house where he knew someone was ill or a wife with small children and her husband away, and he would swing in the driveway and at least plow a strip so they could get out. Charlie always felt you finish a job you start and do it right and he lived that right to the end. We will remember his support and friendship and his many lessons taught just by the way he lived, giving to so many.” Charlie Dow was obviously well loved and respected in Hollis. Unfortunately, I never had the pleasure of meeting him, but it seems fitting to pay him tribute 15 years after his death by looking back – and pausing to remember.
June 1982
The weather was drizzly and ceremonies were forced indoors into Walters Auditorium in 1982, as 110 graduates of Hollis AREA High School received their diplomas on June 13. Ann Monius was Valedictorian of the class and Annette Dubois Salutatorian.
Interestingly, there was a rain date set for the event, for Monday, June 14 at 6 pm. However, Principal Daniel Moeglin decided to hold the ceremonies indoors instead of on the rain date “as the result of numerous calls from parents who said that postponing the ceremonies would interfere with travel arrangements of friends and relatives on hand for the occasion and would cause problems with post-ceremony activities.” This was the first time in five years that it had rained on Graduation Day and the last time a rain date was set for the event!
Beaver Brook Association held a photographic exhibit, titled Reflections of Beaver Brook, at Maple Hill Farm from Saturday, June 5 through Sunday, June 13. The exhibit was open daily, as was the Horticultural Library.
The Hollis Police Benevolent Association sponsored a bike rodeo for children 6-12 years old at the Congregational Church on June 19 from 10 am to 2 pm. Bikes were inspected, receiving minor repairs, and were registered free of charge with serial numbers as part of the registration procedures. Winners of the rodeo received prizes, and hamburgers and drinks were served free of charge to all participants, courtesy of McDonalds.
On one of the last school days of the year, Hollis Elementary School students enjoyed an outdoor barbecue “complete with band concert by members of the Hollis High School Band and entertainment by local clown Rodney Pitman with his assistant Dot Pitman.”
A late spring photography exhibit at Beaver Brook, a bike rodeo, a student-staff barbecue at Hollis Elementary School – these all seem like worthwhile activities which Hollis residents enjoyed 15 years ago. I do not see them on the June 1997 calendar. I wonder why.
July 1982
From 1978 through 1994, the Hollis Times published only once a month in July and August. This, coupled with the apparent stricter guidelines for newsworthiness, has made it harder to look back five, ten or even fifteen years and find stories of interest. I did find one item in the July 14, 1982 Hollis Times, however.
“Quest for Power,” a 40-minute-long adventure film, written by and starring sixth grade enrichment students from Hollis Elementary School, was aired at the Arts and Science Center on June 21. The film, which was supervised, produced and directed by Guy Ferland, a HAHS sophomore, had “opened to a very enthusiastic audiences at private screenings at the end of the school year.”
The film starred Josh Hornik as “a character who very much resembles James Bond,” Darcy Adams as “a slinky, evil and domineering mother,” Nicky Luca as “a crazed military commander,” and Chris O’Neill as “a good-hearted boy.” The rest of the class included Elizabeth Disney, Nathan Watson, Kara Staunton, Patrick O’Neill, Laura Colter, Andy Zivic, Mike Christiansen, Scott Shagory, Joanne MacIssac and Arrow (a dog). The film was shown again on August 13.
This must have been a lot of fun – and educational for the students involved. I know the activity was repeated in 1983 because I remember that next spring driving my son Don to Guy Ferland’s house on Van Dyke Road for rehearsals of “The Mystics.” As I recall, the actors had a great time, as most of the locations were outside and there were a lot of action sequences and special effects. Perhaps this look backwards will inspire some budding young actors to revive this activity in the spring of 1998.
August 1982
It was announced that schools would open on Wednesday, September 1 for all but readiness and first grade pupils at Hollis Elementary School. (These students were to attend a one-hour orientation session the day before.)
Jane (Blount) Ballard died at home on August 16, at the age of 46, after an 11-year battle with cancer. According to the obituary published in the August 25, 1982 Hollis Times, Jane was very active in the Hollis schools, helping to organize the Hollis Kindergarten and the Hollis School Volunteer Program. She was especially interested in nature, art and education.
Newer Hollis residents, who have heard of the Jane Ballard Room at the high school, may sometimes wonder about the person for whom this room was named. A beautiful tribute (author unknown), published as part of her obituary, reminded me. "This town of ours has traditionally been a community of contributors; neighbor helping neighbor; service to our institutions; and a commitment to a philosophy that recognizes that we are here together. Jane represents the best of these qualities. She clearly saw the value of service. With intelligence, gentleness, and sincere respect for others, she lived her beliefs, treasured her family, valued her friends, and shared her ability to see what was good in the world and to add to it. We are unquestionably diminished." Hollis has been "unquestionably diminished" this year as well. We have lost several long-time residents who could fit this description. Like Jane, they will always be remembered for their invaluable contributions to this town.
September 1982
The September 1982 editions of the Hollis Times were full of information about upcoming fall events – the October 3 Apple Festival, a 50s Sock Hop at the Alpine Grove on October 29, and the Country Christmas Fair at the Hollis Congregational Church on November 6.
Girl Scout, Boy Scout, 4-H, Woman’s Club, Community Club, Garden Club and Seniors meetings were beginning after a summer off. A Hollis Explorer Post was forming and the Hollis Town Band was seeking new members.
Exterior work on the new fire station was nearing completion and new sidewalks and curbing were being installed around the police station (now the Always Ready Engine House).
Amid all of these rather ordinary events I found an article that could have been written 75 or even 100 years ago. It covered the Lund Family Reunion. It was reported that sixty-eight descendants of William Plummer Lund, who resided in Hollis during the mid-1880s, gathered on August 7 for the Lund Association Annual Reunion. Family members attended from seven New Hampshire towns as well as Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine, New York and far-away Florida and California. The oldest family member present was Arthur W. Lund, age 93, of Hollis and the youngest was Daniel Lawrence Streeter, three months old, of Santa Rosa, California. The reunion festivities began at noon and were followed by a business meeting, which opened at 3:30 with the election of officers for the ensuing year. According to the September 15, 1982 Hollis Times, “This year’s reunion would have been the family’s 75th if Word War II had not interrupted the tradition. The first Lund Family Reunion was held in Hollis at Silver Lake, Morrill’s Grove, on July 10th, 1908.” I wonder how many old Hollis families still get together for reunions. Does yours?
October 1982
As sometimes happens when I look back in the old Hollis Times, none of the events which were newsworthy 15 years ago seemed to be interesting enough to republish. However, on the third or fourth read-through I noticed a Kimball Fruit Farm advertisement for Pick Your Own Macs for 25 cents a pound. This seemed unbelievably inexpensive and, I thought, interesting so I decided to look back on the ads in the October 1982 Hollis Times instead of the news stories. This is what I found. Subaru of Milford offered a tune-up special for $34.95 (including parts). Hackler Chrysler-Plymouth-Dodge advertised a brand new 1982 Plymouth Reliant for $7200. Oleo Acres had Registered Welsh ponies for sale - a weanling filly for $350 and a 2-year-old filly for $800. The ski tune-up special at Ken Jones Ski and Sports Shop cost $7.50. The housing market was also more reasonable. Valicenti Realty offered a country ranch with passive solar greenhouse and a two-car garage for $72,900 and a four-bedroom ranch on 2.2 acres for $89,900 in a "top Hollis location." Eating out was also a bargain in 1982. Those who liked Italian fare could enjoy a spaghetti dinner with meatballs or sausage, a garden salad and hot garlic bread for $2.75 at the Pizza Barn. If you preferred Surf and Turf, you could go to the Country Hideaway (The Nest, Inc.) on Friday or Saturday night for a lobster or prime rib dinner for $6.95. But the most interesting advertisement was a small classified ad on the back page. It read: "Leave Your Leaves at my House. I will pay 10 cents for each well-filled trash barrel size container you deliver or 5 cents for each container I pick up at your house in the Hollis area." It was signed "Mike." I wonder why Mike wanted the leaves and whether he is still collecting them!
November 1982
Both the November 10 and the November 24 issues of the Hollis Times in 1982 dealt with the very serious problem of domestic dogs attacking and killing sheep. Five of Albert Hills' sheep were killed or maimed on November 3, and on November 22 one of the three canines involved in the attacks was shot and killed by the police when the dogs returned for a third time to Hills' pasture on Pine Hill Road. The same dogs had also been spotted on Wheeler Road, where they killed five sheep at the McAllister residence. In reporting the incidents, the editor of the Hollis Times noted that dogs killing sheep is only the tip of the iceberg. "Dogs are killing other animals (domestic rabbits, for example) and running rampant, destroying gardens, lawns, other dogs and deer. Dogs are getting hit by cars, and possibly causing accidents." The writer concluded that the leash law could be implemented "only by dog owners making good citizens of their dogs by confining them in fenced yards, on runs or in the owners home."
If you read Barb Damon's "For Pets Sake" in the October 8 Hollis Times, you will certainly realize that although the tip of the iceberg is no longer visible, the iceberg is still there. Loose dogs still plague Hollis residents fifteen years later.
Another issue in the news in November of 1982 was traffic problems at the Four Corners. Those who have lived in Hollis more than fourteen years will remember that in 1982 there was no traffic signal at the junction of routes 130 and 122. (It was installed in February of 1983.) I found it very interesting to read in the November 24 Hollis Times that the state originally planned to construct right-turn lanes at the corner. " In a letter dated June 18, 1982 state design engineer Duncan Pearson noted that since his department had been unsuccessful in acquiring the necessary land voluntarily from property owners, the traffic signals would have to be included in an upgrading of Rt. 130 tentatively scheduled for 1985. At that time the state will be acquiring the land by eminent domain." We did get the traffic signal, but whatever happened to the right-turn lanes?
May 1982 was pretty quiet in Hollis, according to the Hollis Times. There were no landmark decisions made by town boards, and no controversial issues captured citizens’ interest. On May 9, 1982, however, a long-time Hollis resident and public servant, Charlie Dow, passed away at the age of 72. According to the obituary published in the May 26, 1982 Hollis Times, Charlie came to Hollis in 1925 and became a permanent resident in 1932. He was employed for 45 years by the highway department, with 25 years as road agent. He served with the Hollis Police Department for 18 years and with the Hollis Fire Department for 18 years, retiring as a captain. That is a lot of years of service!
Obituaries never tell the whole story of how a man lived his life; friends do. Karen Bosquet, wife of Hollis Police Chief Paul Bosquet, wrote an article in the same issue titled “Who Was Charlie?” which provides an insight into the way Charlie Dow lived his life. “Road Agent, Fireman, Policeman and, most of all, friend,” she began. “Charlie was one of the best friends Hollis has ever had. He worked always with the thought in mind to save the town money and still do the best job. Charlie was always there when needed, whether it be fixing something in the cellar for a woman who had just lost her husband, or building on a small porch for a couple who had just built a house. Often when out plowing, he would come to a house where he knew someone was ill or a wife with small children and her husband away, and he would swing in the driveway and at least plow a strip so they could get out. Charlie always felt you finish a job you start and do it right and he lived that right to the end. We will remember his support and friendship and his many lessons taught just by the way he lived, giving to so many.” Charlie Dow was obviously well loved and respected in Hollis. Unfortunately, I never had the pleasure of meeting him, but it seems fitting to pay him tribute 15 years after his death by looking back – and pausing to remember.
June 1982
The weather was drizzly and ceremonies were forced indoors into Walters Auditorium in 1982, as 110 graduates of Hollis AREA High School received their diplomas on June 13. Ann Monius was Valedictorian of the class and Annette Dubois Salutatorian.
Interestingly, there was a rain date set for the event, for Monday, June 14 at 6 pm. However, Principal Daniel Moeglin decided to hold the ceremonies indoors instead of on the rain date “as the result of numerous calls from parents who said that postponing the ceremonies would interfere with travel arrangements of friends and relatives on hand for the occasion and would cause problems with post-ceremony activities.” This was the first time in five years that it had rained on Graduation Day and the last time a rain date was set for the event!
Beaver Brook Association held a photographic exhibit, titled Reflections of Beaver Brook, at Maple Hill Farm from Saturday, June 5 through Sunday, June 13. The exhibit was open daily, as was the Horticultural Library.
The Hollis Police Benevolent Association sponsored a bike rodeo for children 6-12 years old at the Congregational Church on June 19 from 10 am to 2 pm. Bikes were inspected, receiving minor repairs, and were registered free of charge with serial numbers as part of the registration procedures. Winners of the rodeo received prizes, and hamburgers and drinks were served free of charge to all participants, courtesy of McDonalds.
On one of the last school days of the year, Hollis Elementary School students enjoyed an outdoor barbecue “complete with band concert by members of the Hollis High School Band and entertainment by local clown Rodney Pitman with his assistant Dot Pitman.”
A late spring photography exhibit at Beaver Brook, a bike rodeo, a student-staff barbecue at Hollis Elementary School – these all seem like worthwhile activities which Hollis residents enjoyed 15 years ago. I do not see them on the June 1997 calendar. I wonder why.
July 1982
From 1978 through 1994, the Hollis Times published only once a month in July and August. This, coupled with the apparent stricter guidelines for newsworthiness, has made it harder to look back five, ten or even fifteen years and find stories of interest. I did find one item in the July 14, 1982 Hollis Times, however.
“Quest for Power,” a 40-minute-long adventure film, written by and starring sixth grade enrichment students from Hollis Elementary School, was aired at the Arts and Science Center on June 21. The film, which was supervised, produced and directed by Guy Ferland, a HAHS sophomore, had “opened to a very enthusiastic audiences at private screenings at the end of the school year.”
The film starred Josh Hornik as “a character who very much resembles James Bond,” Darcy Adams as “a slinky, evil and domineering mother,” Nicky Luca as “a crazed military commander,” and Chris O’Neill as “a good-hearted boy.” The rest of the class included Elizabeth Disney, Nathan Watson, Kara Staunton, Patrick O’Neill, Laura Colter, Andy Zivic, Mike Christiansen, Scott Shagory, Joanne MacIssac and Arrow (a dog). The film was shown again on August 13.
This must have been a lot of fun – and educational for the students involved. I know the activity was repeated in 1983 because I remember that next spring driving my son Don to Guy Ferland’s house on Van Dyke Road for rehearsals of “The Mystics.” As I recall, the actors had a great time, as most of the locations were outside and there were a lot of action sequences and special effects. Perhaps this look backwards will inspire some budding young actors to revive this activity in the spring of 1998.
August 1982
It was announced that schools would open on Wednesday, September 1 for all but readiness and first grade pupils at Hollis Elementary School. (These students were to attend a one-hour orientation session the day before.)
Jane (Blount) Ballard died at home on August 16, at the age of 46, after an 11-year battle with cancer. According to the obituary published in the August 25, 1982 Hollis Times, Jane was very active in the Hollis schools, helping to organize the Hollis Kindergarten and the Hollis School Volunteer Program. She was especially interested in nature, art and education.
Newer Hollis residents, who have heard of the Jane Ballard Room at the high school, may sometimes wonder about the person for whom this room was named. A beautiful tribute (author unknown), published as part of her obituary, reminded me. "This town of ours has traditionally been a community of contributors; neighbor helping neighbor; service to our institutions; and a commitment to a philosophy that recognizes that we are here together. Jane represents the best of these qualities. She clearly saw the value of service. With intelligence, gentleness, and sincere respect for others, she lived her beliefs, treasured her family, valued her friends, and shared her ability to see what was good in the world and to add to it. We are unquestionably diminished." Hollis has been "unquestionably diminished" this year as well. We have lost several long-time residents who could fit this description. Like Jane, they will always be remembered for their invaluable contributions to this town.
September 1982
The September 1982 editions of the Hollis Times were full of information about upcoming fall events – the October 3 Apple Festival, a 50s Sock Hop at the Alpine Grove on October 29, and the Country Christmas Fair at the Hollis Congregational Church on November 6.
Girl Scout, Boy Scout, 4-H, Woman’s Club, Community Club, Garden Club and Seniors meetings were beginning after a summer off. A Hollis Explorer Post was forming and the Hollis Town Band was seeking new members.
Exterior work on the new fire station was nearing completion and new sidewalks and curbing were being installed around the police station (now the Always Ready Engine House).
Amid all of these rather ordinary events I found an article that could have been written 75 or even 100 years ago. It covered the Lund Family Reunion. It was reported that sixty-eight descendants of William Plummer Lund, who resided in Hollis during the mid-1880s, gathered on August 7 for the Lund Association Annual Reunion. Family members attended from seven New Hampshire towns as well as Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine, New York and far-away Florida and California. The oldest family member present was Arthur W. Lund, age 93, of Hollis and the youngest was Daniel Lawrence Streeter, three months old, of Santa Rosa, California. The reunion festivities began at noon and were followed by a business meeting, which opened at 3:30 with the election of officers for the ensuing year. According to the September 15, 1982 Hollis Times, “This year’s reunion would have been the family’s 75th if Word War II had not interrupted the tradition. The first Lund Family Reunion was held in Hollis at Silver Lake, Morrill’s Grove, on July 10th, 1908.” I wonder how many old Hollis families still get together for reunions. Does yours?
October 1982
As sometimes happens when I look back in the old Hollis Times, none of the events which were newsworthy 15 years ago seemed to be interesting enough to republish. However, on the third or fourth read-through I noticed a Kimball Fruit Farm advertisement for Pick Your Own Macs for 25 cents a pound. This seemed unbelievably inexpensive and, I thought, interesting so I decided to look back on the ads in the October 1982 Hollis Times instead of the news stories. This is what I found. Subaru of Milford offered a tune-up special for $34.95 (including parts). Hackler Chrysler-Plymouth-Dodge advertised a brand new 1982 Plymouth Reliant for $7200. Oleo Acres had Registered Welsh ponies for sale - a weanling filly for $350 and a 2-year-old filly for $800. The ski tune-up special at Ken Jones Ski and Sports Shop cost $7.50. The housing market was also more reasonable. Valicenti Realty offered a country ranch with passive solar greenhouse and a two-car garage for $72,900 and a four-bedroom ranch on 2.2 acres for $89,900 in a "top Hollis location." Eating out was also a bargain in 1982. Those who liked Italian fare could enjoy a spaghetti dinner with meatballs or sausage, a garden salad and hot garlic bread for $2.75 at the Pizza Barn. If you preferred Surf and Turf, you could go to the Country Hideaway (The Nest, Inc.) on Friday or Saturday night for a lobster or prime rib dinner for $6.95. But the most interesting advertisement was a small classified ad on the back page. It read: "Leave Your Leaves at my House. I will pay 10 cents for each well-filled trash barrel size container you deliver or 5 cents for each container I pick up at your house in the Hollis area." It was signed "Mike." I wonder why Mike wanted the leaves and whether he is still collecting them!
November 1982
Both the November 10 and the November 24 issues of the Hollis Times in 1982 dealt with the very serious problem of domestic dogs attacking and killing sheep. Five of Albert Hills' sheep were killed or maimed on November 3, and on November 22 one of the three canines involved in the attacks was shot and killed by the police when the dogs returned for a third time to Hills' pasture on Pine Hill Road. The same dogs had also been spotted on Wheeler Road, where they killed five sheep at the McAllister residence. In reporting the incidents, the editor of the Hollis Times noted that dogs killing sheep is only the tip of the iceberg. "Dogs are killing other animals (domestic rabbits, for example) and running rampant, destroying gardens, lawns, other dogs and deer. Dogs are getting hit by cars, and possibly causing accidents." The writer concluded that the leash law could be implemented "only by dog owners making good citizens of their dogs by confining them in fenced yards, on runs or in the owners home."
If you read Barb Damon's "For Pets Sake" in the October 8 Hollis Times, you will certainly realize that although the tip of the iceberg is no longer visible, the iceberg is still there. Loose dogs still plague Hollis residents fifteen years later.
Another issue in the news in November of 1982 was traffic problems at the Four Corners. Those who have lived in Hollis more than fourteen years will remember that in 1982 there was no traffic signal at the junction of routes 130 and 122. (It was installed in February of 1983.) I found it very interesting to read in the November 24 Hollis Times that the state originally planned to construct right-turn lanes at the corner. " In a letter dated June 18, 1982 state design engineer Duncan Pearson noted that since his department had been unsuccessful in acquiring the necessary land voluntarily from property owners, the traffic signals would have to be included in an upgrading of Rt. 130 tentatively scheduled for 1985. At that time the state will be acquiring the land by eminent domain." We did get the traffic signal, but whatever happened to the right-turn lanes?