10 years ago:

After obtaining state and local permits and successfully negotiating design issues with Wilmington, Rite Aid pulled the plug on their plan to build a store at the corner of Route 9 and Country Club Road in Wilmington. At the time, some speculated that the company was in financial difficulty, but corporate sources said a new management team had different goals. Several weeks later, Rite Aid declared bankruptcy.

15 years ago:

ACLU attorneys working on behalf of 1836 Country Store owner Albert Wurzberger prepared to file a civil rights suit against the town of Wilmington after he was charged with fireworks violations for a third time in seven years, despite prior court rulings in his favor. Wilmington Police Chief Tom Donnelly charged Wurzberger for the sale of fireworks in 1982, 1992, and 1994. In the earlier case, Judge Robert Grussing ruled that the state statute prohibiting the sale of fireworks was unconstitutional and “void for vagueness.”

20 years ago:

Haystack CEO Don Tarinelli proposed a number of changes to the resort’s master plan, including the demolition of the old base lodge, which was considered inefficient. The site of the old base lodge, with its view overlooking the valley, was to serve as the location of an 80-room inn. Other proposed changes included lift upgrades and a recreation and sports building.

25 years ago:

The annual Carinthia Winter Fest included a full day of fun activities including a slalom race, kids’ races, a cafeteria tray race, and a three-legged downhill race. The highlight of the festival was a torchlight parade and potluck supper that drew 200 attendees.

35 years ago:

Former Dover Selectboard member Steve Chontos wrote a novel called “The Death of Dover, Vermont.” Chontos said it was as close to being an autobiography as one can get without using real names. The novel was an account of the changes that occurred in Dover since Chontos first moved there in the 1950s, and he said it was a warning to the people of Vermont that a town can die if people don’t stand up for their individual rights. Specifically, Chontos was talking about property rights and Act 250. In his novel, Chontos predicted that the Dover of 1984 would have crumbling roads, shuttered businesses, and half the population it had in the 1960s.

40 years ago:

Wilmington voters cut the town’s $100,568 budget by $20,000, to $80,568 at Town Meeting. As of press time, Wilmington voters still hadn’t decided whether to continue nominating and electing officers from the floor at Town Meeting, or to elect them by Australian ballot, which would require candidates to file a petition for office before Town Meeting.

The valley was gearing up for St. Patrick’s Day. Guest performers Frannie and Billy Dougherty joined house entertainer Jim McGrath for an Irish seisiún at the Olde Baby.