For several years now, Heather Makechnie has faithfully extracted the community news about Andover from the weekly Franklin Journal-Transcript of 50 years ago for the enjoyment of our readers, many of whom read about their younger selves and their long-ago friends and family in this news from the past. Heather’s volunteer efforts added an important historical dimension to the Beacon every month.

Sadly, Heather passed away in June, so if Fifty Years Ago in Andover is to continue, we need a new volunteer to take it over.

The Journal-Transcript is available on microfilm at the Franklin Library and at the New Hampshire State Library in Concord, so you’d have your choice. The volunteer job entails finding the Andover community news column in each of the four (or five) weekly issues from 50 years ago “this month” and transcribing the three or four paragraphs of news you find in each issue.

If you are interested in keeping this fascinating window into Andover’s recent past open and alive in the Beacon every month, please e-mail Charlie@nullAndoverBeacon.com to discuss the details.