100 Years Ago-April 1, 1915
“Hoodoo Money” — No one seems unwilling to accept a 25-cent piece, even though there are on each coin the following hoodoo combinations: Thirteen letters in the scroll head in the eagle’s beak; 13 feathers in each wing; 13 tail feathers; 13 upright bars in the shield; 13 arrowheads; 13 leaves on the branch; 13 letters in the words ‘quarter dollar’; 13 stars grouped on each side. However, we are willing to chance it and will accept six and send the Republican a whole year!
Easter finery — Mrs. Olive Fair advertised, “Attend the Easter opening of Spring Millinery.” Ray Brown’s on Sweden Street said, “The very latest thing in waists is the high neck. We are showing some attractive models.” “Come in and see the dainty things we have to fix up your spring clothes,” announced Smiley & Brown’s Dry Goods. O.T. Pierson & Co. promoted “new styles for spring and summer 1915 in suits, scarfs, hats — every essential of a well-dressed man’s wardrobe.”
75 Years Ago-March 28, 1940
Moving in Limestone — Andrew Adams has bought the Osborne Farm on the Connor Road. Herbert Ballard, who has purchased the McLaughlin farm, Main Street, will move his family there the latter part of April. Harold Marks has purchased the Ben Burgoine farm, Caribou Road, and Merle Jones will move his family there in April.
Legion birthday — The Henry B. Pratt Jr. Post American Legion celebrated its 21st birthday with a supper meeting. A program featured Donald L. Coady of the state employment office in Caribou as one of the speakers, and S.W. Collins, post historian, gave an interesting outline of the history of the organization. Supper included beans, cabbage, potato and egg, fruit and green salads, pickles, bread, coffee, chocolate cake and a large decorated birthday cake.
50 Years Ago-April 1, 1965
Twist of [identical] fate —Harvey Smith Jr. of Presque Isle and Walter Castonguay of Woodland experienced a bit of déjà vu in Caribou. Both, while stationed with the U.S. Army in Germany in 1963, had wound up next to one another at the Army Hospital in Berlin. After their service, both returned home and went about their separate lives. On March 18, 1965, Castonguay was at work stitching potato bags when the string broke and the needle went into his eye. He was taken to Cary Memorial Hospital, room 10. The next day, Harvey was at work — at a different location — stitching potato bags, when the string broke and the needle went into his eye. He, too, was taken to Cary — and placed in room 10. This was the first time the two had met since their Berlin convalescence.
New facilities —Automotive Supply Company opened the doors of its new, larger building at 41 Sweden St. Meanwhile, the new By-Lo IGA celebrated the grand opening of its store on Main Street.
25 Years Ago-, 1990
Limestone students win — With seven teams participating, Limestone schools won five first-place honors in Olympics of the Mind competition in Van Buren. Teams created presentations in which they explored solutions to given challenges in such areas as geography, robotics and recycling.
Special birthday — Florence Johnson of Westmanland was the guest of honor at a celebration honoring her 90th birthday. Many relatives and friends joined in the festivities, held March 17 in Westmanland, hosted by her daughter, Arlene Plourde of Caribou, and children.
Coach honored — Former Caribou High School boys’ varsity basketball coach Gerry Duffy received the 1990 Contributor Award at the East-West Senior All-Star Games awards banquet, held at the Augusta Civic Center. The recognition, given annually to an outstanding contributor to Maine basketball, was presented by the Maine Association of Basketball Coaches.
