What follows are some more clippings from the pages of the RANGELEY LAKES newspaper, February 20, 1896.
(Editor’s note: Contemporary commentary in italics, otherwise copy is reprinted just as it was in 1896).
It seems that in mid-February 1896, what we now call a Polar Vortex had descended upon Rangeley and was the Talk of the Town. How cold was it…

It is not definitely known how many persons have been killed the present week, for asking, “Is this cold enough for you?”

Speaking of Tuesday’s cold weather, Ed Whorff said: “I don’t exactly know how cold it was at Haines Landing. Our thermometer only goes down to 26 below and the mercury was way out of sight and hearing of that point. Anyway, the mercury didn’t get up where we could see it at all till ‘most noon.”
The backbone of winter is broken. The cracking of the bones were plainly heard all through the town during the recent cold spell.

Vintage photograph of downtown Rangeley looking east from the steeple of the Baptist Church.

So how are the roads holdin’ up this Wintah…

Dallas – Those who have prayed so earnestly for snow have changed their minds. They now pray for a road.
Greenvale Plantation – Mr. W. H. Ellis, of Greenvale Plantation, writes the following: “It has been rumored in Phillips and Farmington, that the new road, so called, in Sandy River Plantation, was washed so that it was not passable. Now it is not so. The road is in good condition and I shall keep it broken in good shape during the winter, and it can be traveled when any part of Rangeley road can. There are teams hauling logs from above Mr. Grey’s, (formerly Harrison Small’s) to the steam mill and they are hauling lumber from there to Madrid village.”

Reprinted from the Portland paypahs…

Has a Tame Moose
The Portland Railroad company has received a tame young cow moose, the first member of the animal family that is to inhabit the company’s zoo at Prides bridge this summer. This moose was captured by a wood cutter in northern Maine when it was but a few days old and is as tame as a cow. It is very playful, will follow its keeper around like a dog. It used to play tag with the children in its frontier home. It is the first live moose seen in this part of the state in recent years and is a great curiosity. It lives on branches of trees and bannock which the keepers mix up for it. It is being kept at present in an enclosure at Morrills Corner.

What follows are Excerpts from the weekly homemaking advice column entitled “A Cozy Corner for the Ladies,” compiled by the publisher’s wife. He never even printed her first name and she probably wrote the whole page for nothing. Poor “Mrs. Dill.” The SOB doesn’t deserve any of her orange pie…

Laughter
Laughter is a most healthful exertion. It is one of the greatest helps to digestion with which I am acquainted, and the custom prevalent among our forefathers of exciting it at table by jesters and buffoons was founded on true medical principles.

Just don’t laugh while chewing! And I love Key Lime and Lemon Meringue pie, but have never even heard of Orange Pie? Sounds good.

ORANGE PIE
Having seen so many recipes for lemon pie, would like someone to try my favorite orange pie: The grated rind and juice of 1 large orange, 1 cup of sugar, yolks of 3 eggs. 1 tablespoon of flour, 1 large cup of sweet milk» rub flour to smooth paste with a little of the milk, then mix all together, adding milk last; bake with one crust; when done, frost and return to oven until frosting is light brown. Frosting: Whites of 3 eggs beaten stiff, add 1 dessertspoon of pulverized sugar.

And some sage wisdom from Mrs. Dill…

Good nature and evenness of temper will give you an easy companion for life; virtue and good sense an agreeable friend; love and constancy a good wife or husband.

Well said Mrs. Dill. The Rangeley Lakes Historical Society hopes you enjoyed these excerpts from long ago. Until next time, have a History making good time in our special region.