100 Years Ago: 1922

The Jolly Sisters Club of Liberty Rebekah will hold a Valentine dance this evening at Abou Ben Adhem Hall, Main Street. The committee has made plans for everyone to have a jolly time.

50 Years Ago: 1972

Walter Winchell, the fast-talking song-and-dance man who became a newscaster on radio, died in Los Angeles, Sunday at 74. Cause of death was not disclosed; Winchell died at the UCLA Medical Center, where he had been confined since Nov. 19. For 30 years, most Americans, familiar with his radio opening, shouted: “Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. America and all the ships at sea, Let’s go to press!”

25 Years Ago: 1997

On a recent cold morning. onlookers watched the 10-room Mace Farmhouse being moved over a frozen pasture in Readfield to a new foundation on Stanley Road about a half-mile away. Located on Route 17 across from Jesse Lee Church in Kents Hill Village, the 36- by 36-foot farmhouse has been home to eight generations of the Mace family. When present owner Everett Mace learned last year the former owners planned to have it demolished he stepped in to save it. Research indicates that in 1843 Richard Mace, great-great-great-great-grandfather of Everett Mace purchased the land and a small building from Joseph Hutchinson. Charles Mace, son of Richard. added more rooms for a growing family. According to Everett Mace, the old farmhouse was lifted in 1996 and a new foundation was poured to replace the small dirt and rock cellar. Extensive work has been done on the adjoining barn, Mace said. In 1996, the farm buildings and the pasture were sold. The new owners elected to keep the barn in place. but the farmhouse was to be demolished. That’s when he came to the rescue of his family’s homestead and decided it would be moved. Jewett Builders of Pittston were contracted, and Don Jewett said it took about 10 working days to prepare the building and 20 minutes to move it. Driver Pat McElroy of Manchester said he was a “little nervous”, about hauling a house for the first time. Jewett said this is not the largest house his company has moved. The old house with its hand hewn beams will undergo extensive remodeling and renovations. When asked about the future of the old farmhouse, Mace said it will stay in the family. This is one old house hose that won’t be torn down.

The material used in Looking Back is produced exactly as it originally appeared although misspellings and errors may be corrected.