101 Years Ago – Jan. 10, 1918
Highly entertaining — A large and appreciative audience greeted Charles T. Grilley in Perry Theatre on his fourth visit to our town. Mr. Grilley was accompanied by his daughter, a charming young lady, an accomplished harpist. The program given by Mr. Grilley was varied and highly entertaining. The strong, the dramatic, the humorous were all portrayed in a manner that appealed to the audience. This was the third in the Red Cross series and at the end of the course, a very nice sum was made for the chapter.
75 Years Ago – Jan. 13, 1944
Mooseleuk leader — Dr. M. D. Harris was elected president of the Mooseleuk Club at the annual business session. Jerre D. Glidden was named vice president and William Hanscom secretary-treasurer. Directors elected were: F. A. Smith, George Gartley, Roland Smith, George Gartley, Roland Wight, Milton Blackwell and Walter Wray.
New fertilizer — Frank W. Hussey, president of Maine Potato Growers Inc., announced that the local cooperative introduced for the first time in Aroostook County “TOP-TATER” Brand Fertilizers. This fertilizer was being manufactured by the Smith-Douglas Corporation of Norfolk, Va., especially for Maine Potato Growers, Inc. The local association distributed this fertilizer to its members.
50 Years Ago – Jan. 8, 1969
Coffin is chief — I. Burton Coffin assumed the duties as the chief of police of Presque Isle following the retirement of Watson E. Burlock after 25 years of service on the force. Burlock was honored by the citizens of Presque Isle at a testimonial dinner at the Northeastland Hotel. Coffin, a veteran of the Maine State Police, was a pilot during World War II, serving with the U.S. Army Air Corps. Coffin joined the local force on Dec. 2, 1968, and had been serving as lieutenant after retiring from the State Police on Nov. 30 with the rank of sergeant after 20 years of service. He was given the oath of office by Dorothy Quass, city clerk.
25 Years Ago – Jan. 12, 1994
Speed limit reduced — Officials from the Maine Department of Transportation replaced the posted speed limits on the section of North Main Street, from Dexter Shoe Store to the Aroostook River Bridge. The previously posted speed limit of 35 mph changed to 25 mph, due to a traffic survey conducted by MDOT. Police Chief Jim Ferland said that crews from the Presque Isle Police Department planned to issue warnings to motorists for the first two weeks, as a method to educate the public of the changes; and then, speeding tickets would be issued to motorists ignoring the newly-posted speed limits.
Casavant leading scorer — Junior guard Chris Casavant and the rest of the University of Maine at Presque Isle men’s basketball team prepared for the conference portion of their schedule with games in Vermont scheduled against Castleton State College and the College of St. Joe’s. Casavant, a former Presque Isle High School standout, was the team’s leading scorer thus far, burning the nets at 19.4 points per game. Casavant entered 1994 with 732 points, 19th on the all-time scoring list at UMPI.
