LOCAL NEWS
40 Years Ago in Hampton, April 1978:
- The Selectmen appoint a committee of five to study the feasibility of Town purchase of land.
- An article titled “The Bear Truth” quotes Conservation Officer Phil Russell’s answer to rumors about bears in the area: “No reports; no sightings; no bear.”
- “Hampton Cooperates” reports on the Hampton Food Coop
30 Years Ago, April 1988:
- “Progress Report on the New School” by Quentin Woodward updates residents on the elementary school building project.
- The Selectmen approve the Fire Department’s request to purchase a new truck to replace Engine 112, a 1953 American LaFrance, at an estimated cost of $70,000.
- The Democratic Town Committee adopts a resolution critical of the State’s spending to promote its plan to build a Route 6 alternate, specifically the use of “the peoples’ own revenue on ads and brochures to sell them its ideas”.
20 Years Ago, April 1998:
- The front page reports a “UFO Sighting in Hampton”, advising residents to “not be unduly alarmed. The UFO has been around a long time, and to date no ill effect or danger has ever been proven to be related to their visits.”
- The Little River Grange announces an Awards Night to honor 70-year member Idamay Richmond.
- Hampton Elementary School Principal explains their new program: preschool.
10 Years Ago, April 2008:
- A salute to Minnie Halbach, longest serving member of the Gazette staff, who delivered the Gazette to every household in town for 30 years.
- Seniors announce upcoming trips to: Vermont Quilt Festival, The King & I, and Booth Bay Harbor.
- Dog Warden Brianna Walton reports on a rabid cat captured at the home of Diane Gagnon.
NATIONAL NEWS
40 Years Ago, April 1978:
- Jimmy Carter is President and Ella Grasso is Governor.
- “Night Fever” by the Bee Gees is number one on the radio and movie fans are still headed out to see “Star Wars”.
- Gary Player wins The Masters golf tournament.
- Actor Will Geer, famous for playing Grandpa on the hit TV series The Waltons, dies at the age of 76.
30 Years Ago, April 1988:
- Ronald Regan is President and Lowell Weicker is Governor.
- The number one song was “Man in The Mirror” by Michael Jackson and the top box office draw was “BeetleJuice”.
- Kansas wins the 50th NCAA Men’s Championship and Louisiana Tech wins the 7th NCAA Women’s Championship.
20 Years Ago April 1998:
- Bill Clinton was President and John Rowland was Governor.
- In Florida, Disney’s Animal Kingdom opens in Orlando.
- The number one song was “Getting Jiggy Wit It” by Will Smith and “Lost in Space” is tops at the box office.
- Peyton Manning is the number one pick in the NFL draft taken by the Indianapolis Colts.
10 Years Ago, April 2008:
- George W. Bush was president. Jodi Rell was Governor.
- The number one song was “With You” by Chris Brown and the top box office draw was “The Forbidden Kingdom”.
- Actor Charlton Heston passes at the age of 84.