115 Years Ago – Feb. 10, 1903
Installed — The following officers were installed by the Caribou Grange, No. 138: L.E. Tuttle, president; E.C. Sampson, vice-president; J.C.F. Bagley, treasurer; Omer L. Farnsworth, clerk; and Messrs. Tuttle Sampson, C.J. Lewis, A.V. Goud, and H.S. Haridson, directors.
100 Years Ago – Feb. 14, 1918
Meeting — The Caribou Chamber of Commerce met in the office of President W.P. Hamilton to discuss the hospital and water supply.
Closed — The theatre was closed on Tuesday by order of the Fuel Administrator.
75 Years Ago – Feb. 10, 1943
Wattless Wednesday — Caribou yesterday observed the first “Wattless Wednesday” in the present power and light shortage, and Sweden Street was as quiet as Sunday. The Post Office, bank and one or two industrial establishments only were open, as the merchants cooperated completely in the Public Utilities Commission’s request to save current.
Pioneer dies — Israel Bodin, the last male resident member of the first band of New Sweden’s settlers, passed away Thursday morning at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Johnson of Woodland, who had taken care of him since the first of the year. He was born on March 4, 1862 in Nordmailing, Sweden. He arrived in New Sweden in 1870. He was the youngest of eight children, six of whom accompanied their parents to their new home.
50 Years Ago – Feb. 14, 1968
Educator leaving — J. William Worden, who has served as assistant superintendent of schools here since October, leaves Caribou soon to accept a similar post with School Union 74, which includes the six towns of Damariscotta, Newcastle, South Bristol, Bristol, Bremen and Nobleboro. Worden has expressed regret at leaving Caribou, but has said that he feels the new position is a “step up” for him.
“At least a mask” — A prize will be awarded to the couple appearing in the best original costume at the Knights of Columbus Mardi Gras Ball at 8 p.m., Friday, Feb. 23, at Hotel Caribou, say the sponsoring Knights. Music at the costume ball will be provided by Ken Matthews and his orchestra. The Knights have issued an invitation to all members, their guests and the general public to attend. Incidentally, announcements on the ball read: “At least a mask should be worn.”
25 Years Ago – Feb. 10, 1993
Low drop-out rate — Caribou High School students fared better than the state average in two categories, according to recent figures from the Maine Department of Education. The high school’s 2.46 percent drop-out rate was 4/10ths of a point better than the state average for the 1991-92 school year but worse than the Countywide average of 1.8. All of The County’s 15 high school showed low rates.
Rumors — Mecon Mfg. in Caribou is remaining open contrary to rumors in the Caribou area. Richard E. Griffin, plant manager said Wednesday that the Access Highway manufacturing plant “doesn’t have any plans to close the doors.” The company has reduced its workforce to 160 people and will probably go down to 130 people, he said.
