Headlines from 102 years of local news
102 Years Ago – Dec. 10, 1914
Officers elected — Dunlap Lodge, L.O.I. No. 501, was instituted at Grange Hall by State Grand Master, R.M. Derrah, of Houlton, with 21 charter members. The following officers were elected: W.M. Walter Turner; D.M., Whitfield Hanson; sec., Hartley Welts; treasurer, S.S. Dudley; Chap., J.N. Ferguson; D. of C. Henry Dorman; I.S., Geo. Buswell O.S. Tyler, Roland Dorman. The officers elect were installed by State Master Derrah in a creditable manner.
Work almost complete — Work on the new Dionne Building on Main Street progressed nicely. The basement completed and the bowling alley in running order. Two stores in the building almost completed.
75 Years Ago – Dec. 11, 1941
Verne C. Beverly honored for service to agriculture — A certificate for meritorious service in agriculture was awarded to Verne C. Beverly, Presque Isle, at the annual meeting of the National Association of County Agricultural Agents, in Chicago. Mr. Beverly, a graduate of the University of Maine in the class of 1920, had been county agent of the Maine Extension Service in Aroostook since July 1, 1923.
Moxie sales greatest in 58-year history — The Moxie Company reported for the 12 months ended September 30, 1941, the largest unit sales in its 58-year history. Earnings were 36 cents per share on the conventional preferred stock. Working capital was increased $65,000 to $227,943. Surplus was increased $41,897 to a total surplus of $959,893. In reporting to stockholders, President Frank M. Archer pointed out that the company’s planned advertising campaign, a substantial portion of which was in the newspapers had been in effect for three years and producing record sales with every indication of continued upward trend.
50 Years Ago – Dec. 15, 1966
Register 177 new voters — Voter Registration Board Chairman Mrs. Emma Jordan said that the board had registered 25 new voters in the recent open session and approximately 152 voters in the open session before the November election. Mrs. Amy Colbath and Mrs. Kathleen Brewer, two registration board members, were present with Mrs. Jordan at City Hall for the closed session. Mrs. Jordan stated that Presque Isle had about 4,500 registered voters. She was reluctant to give the number who might be expected to vote during the city election.
State, Federal forest men meet — Austin Wilkins, Maine Commissioner of Forestry, met in Presque Isle with St. John-Aroostook Resource Conservation and Development officials together with Washington representatives from the U.S. Forest Service to set priorities in the forest work being carried out by the RC&D. The announcement was made by Snyder Von Day, project coordinator for the St. John-Aroostook RC&D.
25 Years Ago – Dec. 11, 1991
Ashland earned first win since 1990 — The Eastern Maine Class D schoolboy basketball season opened in Aroostook County with the Ashland Hornets picking up their first win since the 1989-90 season. The Hornets were 0-18 last year. The victory came at the expense of the Wisdom Pioneers of St. Agatha, 56-51, at Ashland. Ashland, 1-0, jumped out to a quick 20-14 lead after the first quarter and were on top the entire way. Seniors forward Josh Ash led the way with 15 points, 12 rebounds, five steals and six blocked shots. Sophomore Ryan Caron had 14 points and nine boards while Adam Weaver had 10 points. Sophomore guard Travis Palmer had nine points and Kris Collier hit for six points and grabbed 10 rebounds.
UPS employee honored — Bev Libby was inducted into the United Parcel Service Circle of Honor in Northern New England. The program recognized UPS drivers who had attained 20 years or more of accident-free driving. Libby was recognized for completing 20 years without an accident. He worked out of the Presque Isle facility and provided delivery service in the towns north of Caribou.
