115 Years Ago – July 6, 1904
Fish — The government fish car recently completed a trip over the Bangor and Aroostook Lines, at Portage Lake putting in 12,000 trout and at Square Lake 50,000 land-locked salmon.
100 Years Ago – July 9, 1919
Gold — Word has been received from Messrs. Sutherland and Reynolds that they have arrived at Cape Nome, Alaska, safely and that the prospects are bright for the success of the Caribou Gold Mining Company.
75 Years Ago – July 6, 1944
Fishing Trip — Herbert Kelley, Gladstone Chapman, Audry Chapman, Vyron Chapman, Edward McNeal, Elmer Thompson and Woodie Thompson left for a fishing trip to Trout Brook near Patten. They returned Sunday night with a large catch. Largest prize was caught by Herbert Kelley and tipped the scales at three pounds. Several of the fish were 12 inches in length. Catch was about 50 pounds in all.
50 Years Ago – July 9, 1969
Annual Strawberry Festival — Even diet watchers can eat delicious, rich, creamy, cool, old-fashioned strawberry shortcake this weekend in Caribou. With a clear conscience, too. Because in this case, in savoring something “good,” they will also be doing something “good.” They’ll be contributing to Kiwanis Club Charities and that should make the calorie consumption that much easier. For those without weight problems, there will be no problems at all. They can even have “seconds,” even “thirds” if such should be their taste, for the Annual Kiwanis Strawberry Festival all day Friday in downtown Caribou. Kiwanians will unwrap the whipped cream, beautifully red and ripe berries and shortcake at the corner of Sweden and Vaughn streets at 9 a.m. and will be there till 7 p.m. with expectations of serving up to 2,000 patrons. They expect to hull more than 20,000 strawberries for the big event.
Kiwanis appreciates — The Kiwanis Club of Caribou expressed gratitude to Dr. Dale Smith for his assistance in rabies clinics the past two years by presenting him with a large plaque on which the inscription indicated the service club’s appreciation. The Kiwanis sponsored rabies clinics for pets in the spring of 1968 and again in 1969, and on each occasion Dr. Smith’s services as veterinarian made the adventure successful. The plaque was presented to Dr. Smith by Kiwanis President Ken Ginn at this weeks luncheon meeting at Hotel Caribou.
25 Years Ago – July 6, 1994
Colony looks to 125 — A steering committee that was formed to plan a special celebration of the 125th anniversary in 1995 of the coming of the Swedes to Northern Maine is looking for people with ideas, suggestions and a willingness to serve. The anniversary of the Swedes arrival on July 23, 1870, has been celebrated every year since, and it will be celebrated again this year.
Midsommar Weekend — Hundreds of residents and visitors attended the many activities associated with the Midsommar festivities held last weekend in this community. On Saturday, the threatening showers held off long enough so Paul Carlson and his helpers could decorate the Maypole with a large variety of wild flowers and raise it near the New Sweden Museum Complex. Dancers in Swedish costumes accompanied by viola player Steve Broody and guitar player Ken Gilman, performed the traditional dance around the pole. A big hit with the assembled crowd was Oxdans, a Swedish dance performed by Jason Stedt and Ben Flavin. Encouraged by dance leader Nancy Holquist Roble, onlookers joined in the final circle dance around the Maypole.
