Here’s some old news from the Andover, East Andover, West Andover, Potter Place, and Cilleyville “gossip” columns of the Franklin Journal Transcript, selected by Heather Makechnie.
April 7, 1966: Near Drowning at Potter Place
Three little boys, Richard, six, Brett, five, and Warren, three, sons of Mr. and Mrs. Sydney Cleaves of Potter Place, owe their lives to three alert men. Seems the three boys were out on the pond at Potter Place and the ice let go. The dog managed to stay on the ice, but as Lawrence Partridge and Joseph Huntoon were passing by in the car, all that was visible of the kids were their hands.
Mr. Partridge and Mr. Huntoon quickly summoned Postmaster Gordon Lull, and with the aid of boards they slid out onto the ice, fell through, and walked the remainder of the way to reach the boys. Warren, the youngest, was hardly visible, as the water was up to the men’s shoulders.
They brought the boys back 50 feet to the shore, where they were wrapped up in blankets and taken home, none the worse for the near tragedy. The dog got off the ice without assistance. This pond is located near the railroad station.
April 14, 1966
Services for Arthur C. George, 65, who died on Saturday, April 9, at his Reeds Ferry home, after an illness of several years duration, were held at Proctor Chapel, Andover, on Tuesday. The Reverend Herbert O. Kelsey, town minister, officiated with Mrs. Dorothy Pierce as organist. There were many floral tributes and a large attendance. Bearers were Clayton Miller, William George, Howard George, Carlton George, and Jon Whedon. Burial was in Proctor Cemetery, Andover, with the Reverend Kelsey offering prayers.
Mr. George was born on December 27, 1900 in Andover, the son of Carlton and Myrtie (Smith) George, and had resided in Reed’s Ferry the past nine years, previously living in Madbury. He was a graduate of Proctor Academy and the University of New Hampshire and was a farmer prior to his illness.
Members of the family include his wife, Mrs. Mildred Sanders George; two sons, Ernest A. George in Milford and Francis S. George in Lockport, New York; one brother, William George, Andover; one sister, Mrs. Ernest Whedon, Franklin; eight grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.
April 28, 1966
The Stephen D. Jewett Memorial Scholarship Fund, now totaling $2,002, will mean cash awards of $25 each this June to a pair of high school students from the town of Andover, one who attends New London High School and the other at Franklin High. The terms of the awards to be made will be worked out and announced this week, following the wishes of the family of the East Andover paratrooper who was killed in action just after last Christmas.
Andover Lions Club member Tim Frost, who has been in charge of arrangements for the memorial, said today that the awards will be made to two students, “preferably going on in either math or English.”
This first year the awards will total $50. In the future, it is hoped that at least $100 will be available each year. Winners of the awards will be chosen by the guidance counselors at the two schools based on scholastic merit, citizenship, need, and leadership.
Brothers Drown at Eagle Pond
Clinton Ordway, 12, and Norman Ordway, 15, were found drowned at Eagle Pond in West Andover about 11:30 PM Saturday night. The boys, sons of Mr. and Mrs. Linley Ordway of South Danbury, were fishing and apparently were drowned when an old boat they were in sank.
Clinton was in the sixth grade at Danbury Elementary School, and Norman was in the seventh grade at Newfound Memorial Junior High in Bristol. Funeral services will be held from the South Danburyy Christian Church on Friday, awaiting the arrival of an older brother, Dalton, who is with the Marines, stationed near Vietnam. Mrs. Ordway is the former Irene Lowell of Andover.
The first Pack meeting of the newly formed Andover Cub Scouts, sponsored by the Andover Lions Club, will be held at 8 PM on Thursday evening, April 28, 1966 at Andover Elementary School.
Showing at the Regal Theatre in Franklin on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: “Filled with adventure, music, and fun ….” Walt Disney’s Bambi (in technicolor).