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 2, 1964

Quick action on the part of a pair of Franklin oil delivery men early yesterday afternoon forestalled what could have been a destructive fire at the farm and home of Leo Guptil in East Andover.

The two men, Leon Allen and his helper Freeman True, employees of Courtemanche Brothers of Franklin, discovered the fire on the floor of the Guptil barn shortly after noontime. “These men deserve a terrific amount of credit,” Mr. Guptil said later. “If the blaze had gone unnoticed much longer, both the barn, with its 14 horses, and the house might have been lost.”

The two had been making an oil delivery at a barrel outside the buildings when they smelled smoke. They entered the house, went through and out into the barn, where they found the floor burning. They called the East Andover Fire Department. Fireman George Brouthers answered the call.

The two oilmen had knocked the fire down to the point where there was no immediate danger, though it had apparently continued to smolder for some time, since Fireman Brouthers called in a second alarm before the fire was killed once and for all.

The East Andover Fire Precinct held its annual meeting at the firehouse March 28. Elected were Moderator – Lawrence Rising; Clerk – Marie Rising; Treasurer – Harold Kidder; Commissioner for Three Years – Joe Lafiosca; Auditor – Perley Ordway.

Congratulations to the Blackwater Trio on their third win of a $25 War Bond on Spotlight Talent WMUR TV, Channel 9, March 23.

Mr. and Mrs. Peter Shanelaris and family have bought Mrs. Eula Kelly’s home, “Nebessek,” in East Andover and are going to run a girls school and camp starting this summer. The new name will be “Lyndover.” We wish the Shanelaris the best of luck.

Mr and Mrs. Jim Humphrey have bought the Ralph Buswell place.

Playing at the Regal Theater in Franklin this week: Strait-Jacket starring Joan Crawford. The management disclaims any responsibility for anyone becoming ill during the showing of this movie. No one will be admitted while the axe is swinging. The first ten people wearing a strait-jacket will be admitted free.

April 9, 1964

Ralph Chaffee reports: Last January 22nd started off like any other mid-winter day for most of us, but for Brian Shaw and his parents, Hale and Yvette Shaw of East Andover, it will be a day not soon forgotten. 15-year-old Brian was rushed to the Franklin Hospital with what later proved to be acute appendicitis. Following the operation complications set in, and poor Brian was in and out of the hospital for over two months before finally being taken to Mary Hitchcock Hospital in Hanover, where he still is recuperating.

Hospital and medical expenses are mounting, and at this point the townspeople of Andover feel that perhaps they can and should do a little more than extend sympathies. Therefore there will be an Italian Spaghetti Dinner at the Andover School Gymnasium Saturday evening, April 18. Local stores and community organizations in area communities are collecting monetary and material contributions. “This is not charity, but a simple case of helping out, neighbor to neighbor, friend to friend, in a worth-while cause.”

Miss Joan Downs, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Downs, is at the New London Hospital where she was rushed three days ago on Easter Sunday, on her way home from a visit with her uncle and family in Claremont, for acute appendicitis.

Cheerleaders of Andover Elementary School were seen on the Uncle Gus TV Show in Manchester last week. Those taking part were Cheryl Downs, Crissie Miller, Connie Powers, Rebecca Jewett, Ann Richards, Donna Keyser, Brenda Dukette and Kathy Sharkey.

This week at the Packers Meat Outlet in Franklin: T-bone steak 63 cents a pound, all beef hamburg 3 pounds for a$1.00, lamb chops 39 cents a pound.

Bakers at 378 Central Street is selling the new “drip dry” fabric in lovely figure designs for 89 and 98 cents a yard.

April 16, 1964

Proctor Academy Chest Drive will culminate in a rummage sale to benefit the Red Feather Agency on April 18th in the school’s gym. This event is highly anticipated by local residents.

April 23, 1964

The supper held by the Andover community Saturday evening for the benefit of the Brian Shaw family was an unequaled success! About 500 people from the town itself and from as far away as Laconia sat down at long tables in the school gymnasium to stow away the spaghetti and meatballs which a score of helpers labored half the night before to prepare under the watchful eye of Jim Lafiosca. Seldom has an entire community so whole-heartedly contributed its time, money, and resources in such a united effort.

Mrs. Charles M. (Crosby) Curl, 89, formerly of Andover and widow of Professor Charles M Curl of MIT, died in Melrose, Massachusetts late Saturday night, after a long illness.

She was born in Andover on January 1, 1875, the daughter of Sibley Melendy and Abbie (Durgin) Crosby. She attended Proctor Academy, was a graduate of Tilton Seminary, and taught in several towns in New Hampshire. From 1903 to 1907 she was a teacher in the Nesmith School.

Joan Downs came home from New London Hospital Saturday after her bout with appendicitis, but her sister Cheryl was then rushed to the same hospital with … an acute case of appendicitis.

Congratulations go to Mr and Mrs Casey Lugtig on the birth of a daughter born at the Franklin Regional Hospital April 18th.

Lewis Kroutil, proprietor of Potter Place Inn, has completely remodeled the first floor and enlarged the dining room of the Inn. He has taken down all the partitions and laid a new floor.

Lewis Putney is our new Postmaster. We will miss the Wadleighs, as they held the office for many years. We all want to congratulate Lewis and wish him a lot of success.

The ice went out on Highland Lake on April 21.

Miss Cheryl Downs is home from her appendectomy.

Miss Beverly Richardson was operated on for appendicitis at Franklin Regional Hospital this week.