Caribou area Looking Back (week of May 17, 2017)

7 years ago

115 Years Ago – May 13,  1902

Snow time It is reported than an inch of snow fell in Van Buren Tuesday morning.

Paint makes the difference The new town building, just west of Hotel Burleigh, has recently received a new coat of paint, greatly improving its appearance.

100 Years Ago – May 17, 1917

Caution Be careful, and don’t ride on the rear platform of a passenger train now as you might get into trouble.  By a recent order, trainment will not permit any passenger to be on the rear especially when the train is crossing a bridge.  This is to forestall any German spy or other one from dropping bomb onto R.R. bridges.  One B&A trainman was give a week’s layoff recently for allowing a passenger to remain on the rear platform

World-wonder — After four days of rain, the sun burst through the clouds Monday morning and performed what might be termed the “eighth wonder of the world.”  At 7:00 in the morning, High street was covered with a layer of mud from three to four inches deep, at noon the dust was blowing.

75 Years Ago – May 13, 1942

Some fish… Some don’t — “Steve” Leonard, Caribou’s chief air raid warden, shows that he can do other things besides organize an efficient town civilian defense group by being one of the early season fishermen with a prize catch.  The fish, reported to weigh between 6 to 10 pounds.  His young mentor, Bobby Raymond, also caught a large fish.  Bobby is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Raymond of the Van Buren Road.

50 Years Ago – May 17, 1967

Theft — A heavy wrench, crowbar, and axe were utilized to break open a safe in a secluded office on an upper floor of the United Baptist Church in Caribou Sunday night.  The burglar or burglars made off with $1,000 in cash and checks.  The church doors have always been open to the public, and this was so Sunday night.  But on Monday, the Baptist church doors were locked.

Junked cars — At least one answer has been found as to what to do with junked cars, which, in accordance with the Highway Beautification Act and the resultant new Maine statute, must be concealed from the highways.  A large abandoned and water-filled gravel pit off Pond Street in Caribou may soon disappear as a community hazard. Junked cars are going into the area now, and after the pit is filled it will be leveled off with earth.  The town highway department has already moved about 15 junked cars there, and has several more in mind.

25 Years Ago – May 13, 1992

Radio reorganization WTMS-FM, the long-standing leader of soft rock radio in Aroostook County, has taken over programming taken over WBPW-FM, Power 96 radio.  While both stations remain under separate ownership, Power 96 will now have control over on-air personalities and the sales teams for both stations.  Dick Palm, the former afternoon on-air personality at Power 96 began doing the morning show for WTMS.  Erin Benson, formerly of WTMS, is now hosting a midday show on Power 96.

Shop ‘n Save expansion Caribou’s Shop ‘n Save on High Street has made a few improvements recently.  They’ve updated their customer service center, expanded their grocery, dairy and frozen foods department, new front end featuring faster and more convenient checkout, and a new video department featuring 50 cents off your first rental.  They encourage you to come check out the changes.