From Our Files
Headlines from 102 years of local news
102 Years Ago – October 15, 1914
Candidacy — Mr. L.S. Howe was a candidate for appointment as a member of the Commission of Inland Fisheries and Game under the incoming administration. Aroostook is entitled by its extent and game interests to a member of the board. Mr. Howe was the most qualified to discharge the duties of the office.
Store lot sold — Mr. L. H. Ballard sold his store lot to Scates & Co., and the contract had been let to Bert Smith, the contractor and builder, for a large building to be erected on the same containing two stores with a tenement overhead.
75 Years Ago – October 16, 1941
Teachers elect — The teachers of Aroostook County elected Lloyd H. Robinson of Mars Hill their president at their annual business meeting. Other officers chosen were Charles Wood of Houlton, vice president; Hazel Coutts of Ricker Classical Institute, secretary; Principal Lewis H. Krigger of Fort Fairfield, treasurer; Ralph Lunt of Island Falls, auditor; and Principal Donald V. Atwater of Limestone, member of the executive committee for three years.
Sparkling victory — With many of its more inexperienced runners performing exceptionally well along with the veterans, the PIHS cross country team easily defeated UMaine Freshman A team and Hopedale, Mass. High, at Orono. The Wildcats had 28 points, while each of its other opponents had 46 points. Running a great race all the way, captain Malcolm Dempsey of Presque Isle finished out front, in 12 minutes and 34 seconds. The summary of runners from Presque Isle are: 1st, Dempsey; 3rd, Hallett; 5th, Smart; and 6th, Rediker.
50 Years Ago – October 20, 1966
Auction work in swing — Richard Marshall, general chairman of the Presque Isle Rotary Auction, stated that the rural and urban solicitation drives had ended and were very successful, due to the combined efforts of all members of the club.
Weekend for travel — DeMerchant’s Trailer Park in Presque Isle was host to what the ownership termed a “large number” of travel trailers, representing the “Mick Mack” Trailer Club of Oromocto, N.B., over the weekend. While this was the club’s third year of paying a visit to Presque Isle on the Canadian Thanksgiving day Weekend, it was the first time the trailers had parked so close to Presque Isle shopping center.
Biologists favor bond — Strong support for a wilderness Allagash Waterway came from a State Biologists’ Association meeting in Lewiston. A unanimous vote favored public control of the Allagash River region in all its preservation as a wilderness area. The resolution was in support of the bond issue coming before Maine voters.
25 Years Ago – October 16, 1991
First female — History was made when Ray Goding Post, American Legion of Presque Isle inducted its first female member, Judy Kennedy of Westfield, a two-year Army veteran. She accepted her membership pin from Post Commander Carl McLaughlin. She attended the ceremony with her husband, Richard, and her father-in-law, Perley, both Legion members.
Schmidt joins — John E. Schmidt, RN, MHA, former director of nursing at TAMC, had been approved by the board of governors as a life member in the American College of Healthcare Executives. College President Stu Westbury expressed his admiration and gratitude for the years of service Schmidt devoted as a credentialed member. Schmidt was thanked for his efforts in achieving healthcare management excellence and for his contributions to patient care.
In the spirit of excellence — Presque Isle High School’s recent designation as a national “blue ribbon” school was recognized during a special ceremony October 10 as students, faculty and staff gathered at the flagpole to witness the raising of the “Excellence in Education” flag, which flew at the school for following two years. Following a brief address by Principal Richard Durost, Student Council representatives from each class raised the flag.
