Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – It may be over a year away, but work has begun on planning the Star City’s sesquicentennial celebration in 2009.
“We held an organizational meeting of the Presque Isle Sesquicentennial Celebration Committee Oct. 10,” said Kimberly Smith, treasurer of the Presque Isle Historical Society, who served as chairperson for the event. Smith noted that although the Presque Isle Historical Society is taking an active role in helping to plan the festivities for 2009, the organization does not want to be the one in charge of all activities.
“I am the contact through the Historical Society for now. We hope to have a sub-committee for every major part of the celebration – one for an air show, one for time capsules, one for the fireworks, one for the parade and so on,” said Smith. “The Historical Society does not intend to be the group in charge of this event but has agreed to get the ball rolling.”
Those attending the October meeting in the City Council Chambers at City Hall included: Don Zillman, president of UMPI; Carolyn Dorsey, of Kiwanis, Husson College and NMCC; Brian Sipe; George Howe, development specialist for the city of Presque Isle; Carol Bell, representing the Chamber of Commerce, ACAP, Balloon Fest and as president of the Historical Society; Rev. and Mrs. David Williams, Grant Memorial United Methodist Church; Gail Roy, of the Mark & Emily Turner Memorial Library; Willard Green; Ann Albert; and Rev. Ray Morency, St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
“This meeting was called by the Historical Society at the request of City Manager Tom Stevens. The Historical Society will be highly involved in the celebration, as it is historical in nature,” said Hall.
For its part, the Society plans a lecture series and events throughout 2009 focusing on issues of national interest.
“The Society is planning on hosting guest lecturers and events every month during 2009 and is hoping to set an example for other organizations. The lectures and events will be centered around whatever is the national focus for that month. For instance, September is National Potato Month. In September of 2009, we will host a lecture on ‘The History of the Potato Industry in Aroostook County’ and a dinner featuring various potato recipes,” said Smith.
Those in attendance agreed that there was sufficient interest to begin planning a community-wide celebration.
“I had a lengthy conversation with Tom Stevens and several suggestions were discussed for events during the celebration including a parade, fireworks, an air show, time capsules, sporting tournaments and a proclamation by the State Legislature,” said Smith.
Since the actual anniversary is in early April, Smith said it was suggested events be postponed until warmer weather.
“April doesn’t always mean fair weather here in northern Maine. It was felt that this would be a good time to have the formal proclamation from the state presented. The primary events for the celebration would be held perhaps during a one-week period later in the year,” said Smith.
Those in attendance talked about the need to plan early to be able to line up special attendees for the celebration.
“As we are beginning planning this year, it may be possible to have such well-known attendees as the Budweiser Clydesdales and the Blue Angels. In addition, Presque Isle does have a native-born son, Ron Tingley, who went on to become a Major League baseball player. Perhaps we could contact him and have him make an appearance to throw out the first ball if we have a softball or baseball tournament,” said Smith.
Other possible sporting events could include a golf tournament, cycling event and 5K run.
The recent appearance of Glacier Girl, a World War II aircraft that made a stop at the Northern Maine Regional Airport, has organizers hopeful a similar activity could be planned at the airport for 2009.
“At one time, there was some interest in an air show. The recent fly-in by Glacier Girl generated significant interest and was well attended,” she said.
With the theater nearing completion on Main Street, Smith also envisioned an event that would include classic movies.
“A suggestion was made that perhaps the Braden Theater would play old-time movies during the big celebration,” Smith said.
Sipe asked if an interview project was still part of the plan for the big event. An oral-history project is still being planned, according to Smith, providing funding can be obtained to purchase the necessary recording equipment.
“We’d like to take that project a step farther and involve youth interested in history in the project as well,” she said.
Zillman noted that youth involvement might be something UMPI could assist with.
Revs. Morency and Williams wondered what was expected of the churches.
“We hope that all aspects of the community become involved: businesses, residents, non-profit organizations, educational institutions at all levels, as well as churches. Churches could hold community-wide potluck dinners, jointly or separately,” said Smith.
Morency suggested churches would be the ideal spots to hold some of the events, such as the Historic Music Concert planned by the Historical Society.
Smith said the group agreed a Steering Committee, made up of chairpersons from each sub-committee, would work well for an event such as this.
“It is hoped that any group in the community who wants to independently plan an event for the celebration would notify the committee so the event could be included in the overall publicity,” said Smith.
Smith told the group the event could be as large as the number of people and organizations involved. She invited anyone from the group or the community to step forward to chair the overall committee and lead the city through a successful event.
“We welcome suggestions and ideas and would like to find someone interested in chairing the event,” said Smith.
The meeting concluded with the decision made to move forward with the planning of a community-wide celebration using a pyramid-style committee structure.
The next meeting is planned for Wednesday, January 9, 2008, at 6 p.m. in City Council Chambers. The public is encouraged to attend.
If anyone wishes to sign up for any of the sub-committees or desires additional information, contact Smith at pihistoricalsociety@hotmail.com or call 762-1151.
