75 Years Ago – Jan. 18, 1945
Wildcats defeat Houlton, Caribou — The Presque Isle Wildcats defeated Houlton 32 to 28 at Houlton in the opening game of the Aroostook League.
The game was reported as being slightly rough in spots. Hayes and Tompkins were the leading scorers for the Wildcats dropping in ten points apiece. In a League game played in Caribou, the Wildcats eked out a 32 to 27 win after trailing at the half by a score of 14 to 16. Tarbell was the big gun of the locals, scoring 15 points.
Biggest seed production — On the largest acreage ever harvested, the 1944 production of certified seed potatoes, indicated at 32,339,991 bu., was 11% larger than the previous record crop of 29,070,831 bu. In 1943 and nearly 2 ⅓ times the 10-year (1933-42) average production of 13,976,101 bu., according to a late release of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. About one out of every 12 bu. Of potatoes produced in the U.S. in 1944 was certified for seed, while the average number certified during the 10-years, 1933-42, was only one out of every 26 bu.
50 Years Ago – Jan. 21, 1970
Award for Washburn man — At the annual conference of the Dominion Automobile Association and North American Automobile Association Motor Club, the North American Shield, the most coveted award presented by the North American Automobile Association, once again had been awarded to divisional manager Murray Allen Jr. of Washburn and his team for the second consecutive year. The award had previously been held for several years by New York State. The presentation of the award was made at St. John, N.B., by the president of the association, Robert Trollope of London, Ontario. The award was based on total enrollments, consistency and company policy. The North American Automobile Association was a sister motor club to Dominion Automobile Association.
Troop 171 took honors — Saturday, Jan. 17, turned out to be a day of victory for the Boy Scouts of Troop 171. The troop, sponsored by the Grant Memorial United Methodist of Presque Isle, took top honors in the sports competition of the Boy Scout Winterama held at Loring Air Force Base. The skill and sportsmanship of the boys in Troop 171 won them the trophy for earning the most points in the sports events. Troop 177 of Washburn won second place, and Troop 196 of Van Buren, took third. About 512 scouts were entertained and informed at the Winterama, which was handled by Winterama Chairman Col. William C. Cridland, Base Commander of Loring Air Force Base.
Postal employees received awards — Five employees of the Presque Isle Post Office received awards for suggestions improving the service of their department from Postmaster William D. Halloran. Receiving awards were Herbert Baker, Richard Maynard and Dana Hattray, clerks; Robert Roix and Ralph Day, carriers. Awards of over $100 apiece had previously been presented to Baker and Maynard.
25 Years Ago – Jan. 18, 1995
Eastman named Maine Superintendent of the Year — The American Association of School Administrators came up with one name in its quest for the premier superintendent of schools in Maine, Mark S. Eastman. Serving as the superintendent of SAD 42 in Mars Hill since 1985, Eastman was selected by the AASA, along with superintendents from the nation’s 49 other states, for his distinguished leadership in a public school system. He was nominated by the SAD 42 Board of Directors at his September meeting. He received a similar vote of support from the board two years prior. School board vice chairman Gail Griffin explained Eastman was nominated by the board for his dedication to serving the needs of both the local community and the state.
Shelters received $490,000 — Homeless shelters throughout Maine received notice of a New Year’s gift, a total of $490,000 through the state’s Shelter Operating Subsidy (SOS) program. The Maine State Housing Authority, which operates the state-funded program, began distributing the first $340,000 to 37 shelters across the state. The initial allocation was based on a minimum of $3,000 per shelter, plus an allocation of $327 for each bed in a shelter. The Central Aroostook shelters receiving funds and the amounts they received were as follows: Battered Women’s Project, Presque Isle, 26 beds, $11,502; Temporary Shelter for the Homeless, Presque Isle, 30 beds, $12,810.
