101 Years Ago – December 5, 1918
The Akeley brook starch factory — D.L. Duncan of Washburn had been busy for a fortnight past with a crew of men taking down the Akeley Brook starch factory, one of the oldest starch making plants in the county, and for many years, operated by Johnson & Phair, and later by T. H. Phair. A part of the material was shipped to Caribou to be used by Pitcher & Co. in the construction of a factory near the C.P. Ry., and the rest shipped West for building a factory there.
The first National Grange Society — Aroostook Union Grange celebrated the organization of the first National Grange Society, Dec. 4, it being it was understood, the 44th anniversary. Each year, this event is observed by subordinate Granges, and on this occasion, there was a very large attendance and a fine program.
75 Years Ago – December 7, 1944
Leo Daigle elected chairman — Twenty-eight farmers, representing the different committees of the Aroostook Agricultural Conservation Association, met in Presque Isle at a County Convention, to transact business pertaining to the organization. Frank W. Hussey, a member of the State Conservation Committee, presided over the meeting. Leo M. Daigle of Soldier Pond was elected chairman of the County Committee to serve for 1945. Glenn Porter of Monticello was elected vice chairman, and Don M. Kilpatrick of Presque Isle, as a regular member. Elwood Noyes of Limestone was elected as alternated, and Fred Sylvester Jr., of Mars Hill, was elected as an alternate.
Wildcats upset Stearns — The Presque Isle Wildcats, showing surprising strength for a green team, defeated a favored Stearns Club 24 to 22 at the local gym. Tompkins and Tarbell were the top scorers for the Hanscom men, collecting four field goals each. In the prelim, the Mapleton varsity defeated the Presque Isle freshmen.
50 Years Ago – December 3, 1969
Barresi elected to State office — James A Barresi, executive director of the Northern Maine Regional Planning Commission, was elected vice-president of the Industrial Development Council of Maine at the Council’s annual meeting, held Nov. 24 at the Holiday Inn, Augusta. Guest speaker was Adolph T. Schmidt, executive director of the Rhode Island Development Council. Mr. Schmidt was voted 1969’s “Man of the Year” by the Northeastern Developers Association.
Local educators named delegates — Stanley F. Salwak, president, and Albert Purvis, dean of Aroostook State College; and Hazen A. Moores, principal of Presque Isle High School, all of Presque Isle, were named official delegates to the Eighty-Fourth Annual Meeting of the New England Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, held at the Statler Hilton Hotel in Boston.
Hilltop Carolers — The Hilltop Carolers, a select choral group from ASC under the direction of Jan Kok, entertained the Presque Isle Lions Club at its weekly meeting. The carolers sang folk songs, spirituals, and tunes from Broadway musicals. The program was under the direction of Daniel Ladner.
25 Years Ago – December 7, 1994
Celebrated opening — Employees of Whited Ford Mazda celebrated their expansion to Presque Isle. Some of those who took part in the opening were Linda Smith, Presque Isle Area Chamber of Commerce director; Dave Phelan, office manager; Claudia Stevens, chamber executive director; Paul Underwood, Presque Isle City Councilor; Bob Whited, owner; Dave Huntley, sales manager; Mark Walsh, sales; Ted Peterson Jr., parts manager; and Tom Stevens, city manager.
Social action award — Mars Hill resident, Donald E. Anderson, was honored Nov. 20 and Charlotte Wilson, chairperson for the Aroostook Cooperative Parish presented him with the first Aroostook Cooperative Parish Social Action Award. Recipients of the award must exhibit exemplary efforts to oppose injustice and, through their efforts, create a better quality of life for victims of injustice.
Feeding the hungry — Nita Moser and Bob Palmer, from Martha and Mary’s Kitchen at the Bethany Baptist Church in Presque Isle, received a $1.000 check from Margo Dyer, Wal-Mart director of community involvement, presented to the Kitchen on Nov. 30, as a match to the organization’s fundraising efforts.
