101 Years Ago – May 9, 1918
Splendid work — Fred P. Loring of Presque Isle High School did a splendid work in agricultural lines and not only did he provide a great stimulus to the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs but he gave some of his time in helping farmers to special calls. He spent an afternoon with Alex McPherson and his son Reid, assisting them in treating 100 bushels of oats for smut. Mr. Loring said that all oats should be treated with formalin for smut, and that he gladly was willing to give his assistance to any farmer desiring to carry out the process. Mr. Loring used a Buick roadster to assist him in his long round of busy duties, especially in looking after the work of the Boys’ and Girls’ Club work.
75 Years Ago – May 11, 1944
Packard commands post — At the regular meeting of the Ray Goding Post, American Legion, the nominating committee announced the following slate of officers: Delbert Packard, commander; Charles Adams, Easton, vice commander; Ray Smith, vice commander; Carlton White, adjutant; S.O. Hanson, chaplain; J.D. Glideent, historian; Walter Cassidy and George Black, executive committee. President Fred Drew and Walter Cassidy were named delegates to the State Legion Convention at Old Orchard in June. Percy Winslow and Delbert Packard were elected alternate delegates. Two of the Post’s new officers, Smith and White, were veterans of World War II. Capt. Harry Showers of the Base attended the session.
Gouldville PTA — Over 100 members and guests attended the picnic supper by Gouldville PTA, after which a typical Gouldville Chapel program was presented by pupils of the fourth and fifth grades. Piano solos were given by Boynton Hussey and Nannette Smith. The rhythm band played “The Circus Parade.” Gwendolyn Parker was the announcer. A business meeting followed at which time Robert Tate was elected president for the coming year, Fay Ladner as treasurer, and Mrs. Francis Haskell, secretary.
50 Years Ago – May 7, 1969
Beauty projects planned — Beautification was a swinging thing in Presque Isle. A number of projects were underway and others being planned to add eye appeal to the city’s Main Street, according to Lewis E. Libby, chairman of the Beautification Committee. Malcolm Shapiro, a spokesman for the downtown merchants, said that 70 pyramid-shaped evergreen trees and 1,000 petunia plants had been ordered from a Massachusetts firm. Libby said the Presque Isle Garden Club was in the process of planning landscaping of the grounds of the Mark and Emily Turner Library and Thomas Sweetser was forming a committee to instigate a tree replacement program for trees removed under the Dutch Elm program. It was expected that the local Jaycees would assist Sweetser’s committee.
Past Grand Knights honored — The Rev. John J. Harris Council Knights of Columbus honored its past Grand Knights. Those honored were Paul Savard, Harry Michaud, Rev. Reginald Brissette (Council Chaplain), Neil Michaud, Arthur Martin, Fred Frazier, Raymond Lynch, Edmund Beaulieu and Edward Dubay.
25 Years Ago – May 11, 1994
Charitable donation — The United Way of Aroostook donated a $5,000 grant to M and M Ministries of Presque Isle to aid in the assistance of low-income services in the Presque Isle area. The all-volunteer group was developing a small transitional housing project and was looking for a new site for Martha and Mary’s Soup Kitchen. Nita Moser, administrator, accepted the check from United Way executive director Susanne Sandusky, alongside Bob Palmer and Ron Moser from M and M Ministries.
Special award winners — The annual University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Athletic Awards Banquet was held at the Campus Center, with Darren Clukey of Dexter and Michelle Davis of Ellsworth honored as the outstanding male and female athletes to cap the ceremony. Other special award winners included Lynn Hartley of Caribou as the recipient of the Stanley H. Small Coaches’ Award and Kirk Lurvey of Ellsworth as the recipient of the McDonalds Scholarship Award for the second consecutive year. Royal Goheen, director of athletics at UM-Presque Isle introduced the guests, while W. Michael Easton, president of the university, was the guest speaker during the event.
