101 Years Ago – March 14, 1918
Candidate for re-election — E. L. Guiou, tax collector, who, by the way, was a candidate for re-election, had a very strong claim in the fine showing he had made. The total commitment for the previous year was $115,991.15. Of this, Mr. Guiou had gathered in right around $111,000, leaving, when the abatements were taken out, less than $5,000. A specially creditable part of the job was the showing on poll taxes, of which there were not more than a dozen names left of collectible parties. Mr. Guiou had proved himself to be one of the very best collectors the town had ever had, and had well earned a re-election.
75 Years Ago – March 16, 1944
Leigh Walton promoted — The promotion of Leigh A. Walton from the rank of staff sergeant to technical sergeant was announced “Somewhere in England.” The son of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Walton of Presque Isle, he was a radio operator aboard the Liberator “Dusty Demons.”
Red Cross Clubmobile — At the regular business meeting, the Auxiliary of the Ray Goding Post entertained members of the Post at a picnic supper in honor of the 24th anniversary of the Legion. The Auxiliary voted to finance two Red Cross Snowmobiles for combat areas and to send Easter cards and stamps to the veterans at Togus. Fred Drew, commander of the Post, gave a short talk. Sgt. Frank Currie highlighted the entertainment program. The supper committee comprised Mrs. Alice Cassidy and Mrs. Saucier.
50 Years Ago – March 12, 1969
Area man recognized — Pvt. Stephen D. Theriault, son of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Theriault of Washburn, received special recognition for outstanding performance during his basic combat training cycle. He was the high scorer in basic rifle marksmanship and was awarded a trophy to signify the achievement.
Square dance caller — A Mars Hill resident, Cliff Long, was selected to be one of the square dance callers at the New England Square Dance Convention, scheduled for Portland. According to Convention Chairman Robie Liscomb, of Portland, Long was chosen as a caller for the event by a committee who evaluated his talent and his potential contribution to the success of the event.
Amazing year for Vikings — It started back on Nov. 30 when Caribou toppled the defending champion Stearns Minutemen in its season’s opener. It ended Saturday night in sensational fashion when cool Mike Thurston’s 55-foot shot zipped cleanly through the nets to give the Vikings their pre-set goal, the state LL title. Up to the heroic finish, it looked like Westbrook was going to walk off with all the marbles. However, like the John Bapst and Lawrence games in the Eastern Maine Tournament, the Vikings came to play for 32 minutes, and they proved that ball games are not won until the final gun sounds.
25 Years Ago – March 16, 1994
Retiring councilor — Washburn town councilor Richard Sperry attended his final council meeting Monday. Sperry, who decided not to run for re-election, was presented a plaque commemorating his 21-plus years of service to the council by Clayton Corey, council chairman and Gene Conlogue, Washburn’s town manager.
PIHS is ‘Best School’ — In a time when a school’s success is commonly associated with the amount of money it spends, one school in Aroostook County had shown it’s not how much money you spend, it’s how you spend it. Presque Isle High School was chosen as the best high school in Maine by a panel of 10 education experts, who inducted the study of America’s school systems for Redbook magazine. The April issue for Redbook, which was on the newsstands, also cited PIHS as being on of 134 best school in the country. According to the Superintendent Gehrig Johnson, Presque Isle spent approximately $500 below the state average in per-pupil expenditures. The school system was selected for recognition based on its overall commitment to excellence in tis science program, library facility and its commitment to computer proficiency, said high school principal, Richard Durost.
