Photo: Sanford Tribune, Wednesday, Nov. 22, 1950
By Lawrence Furbish
This was the Thanksgiving edition of the paper, and the top of the front page had the photo above of the young man giving thanks.
The major political news of the day had to do with a controversy over the future of Sanford’s government. In 1949, at the annual town meeting, a “Committee of 21” had been formed to study Sanford’s municipal government and recommend changes. A previous Tribune editorial had prompted Thomas Meunier, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, to respond with a lengthy opinion piece of his own charging that the Committee of 21 was prejudiced from the start of its deliberations in favor of a “dictatorial” local government. Apparently, there were three options on the table: (1) a strong mayor, (2) a city manager, or (3) the current system with modifications. Sanford High School history teacher Harold Gates had been invited to address the committee with his observations after speaking before the Kiwanis and Rotary clubs.
Superintendent of Schools Neil Sullivan submitted the 1951 school budget request for $283,177, a $34,000 increase over the previous year. It included $21,000 for a cost-of-living increase for teachers. Sullivan pointed out that teachers were not included in a proposed warrant giving town employees a 10% salary increase.
Nasson College marked Sadie Hawkins Day making “man chasing” legal on campus. About 100 Sadie Hawkinses were on the lookout for masculine victims to bring to “Marrying Sam.” After a full day of various activities, “vittles” were served at Brown Dining Hall and the festivities concluded at Springvale Town Hall as the Nasson girls treated their escorts to a square dance.
An announcement advised that Christmas lights would be turned on in the Sanford and Springvale business districts over the weekend, providing inclement weather didn’t interfere. The lighting was sponsored by the Sanford Merchants Association and the Springvale Improvement Association.
At the IGA, you could get bologna for 49 cents a pound and a jar of peanut butter for 39 cents. Thayer Diggery offered Arrow white shirts for $3.65 and up. The State Theater was running “Drums Along the Mohawk” and “Submarine Patrol.” At the Capital Theater you could catch Jimmy Stewart in a new comedy, “The Jackpot.”
Lawrence Furbish is president of the Sanford-Springvale Historical Society. The Historical Society Museum in Springvale has many resources regarding Sanford’s history. It is open Fridays from 10 am to 4 pm and Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm.
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