75 Years Ago – May 24, 1945
Sgt. Clyde Dumas won Purple Heart — The Purple Heart was awarded to Sgt. Clyde Dumas, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Dumas of Presque Isle, who was wounded Mach 29 in the 9th Armored Division in Germany. He returned to duty after a period of time.
Presque Isle K. of C. Council state champs — The local K. of C. Council entertained their state championships bowling team and also the “Father Hayes Circle of Columbian Squires” at a supper in the private dining room of the Northeastland Hotel. Patrick Hayes, Chief Squire of the local circle, thanked the Grand Knight E.A. Gagnon and the K. of C. Council members for their help in organizing the circle at Presque Isle.
Smith named chairman — Frank A. Smith, appointed president of the Presque Isle Chamber of Commerce, had been named by A.J. Beck, Aroostook War Finance Committee chairman, as chairman of Presque Isle’s Seventh War Loan drive. Presque Isle’s quota was $750,000. Mapleton’s quota was $50,000.
50 Years Ago – May 27, 1970
Awards banquet — Presque Isle High School Hi-Y and Tri-Hi-Y Clubs held their annual awards banquet May 14. Award winners were Larry Strout, Most Valuable Hi-Y Member; Jackie McHugh, Most Valuable Tri-Hi-Y Member; John Carter, Hi-Y Boy of the Year; Sharon Giberson, Tri-Hi-Y Girl of the Year. Honorary memberships were received by Jackie Griffin, Ada Bishop and Daryl Lavway.
Bronco star at Easton — Debbie Rooney received a special visitor at Easton Junior High School May 18 when John Juard of Waterville, middle linebacker and defensive captain of the Denver Broncos, answered a letter in person. Debbie had written to Huard asking him about physical fitness in today’s educational system.
Exceptional boys — Five local students participated in local and state competition of the Maine Special Olympics held May 22 and 23 in Portland. The boys were members of a special education class taught by Mrs. Ida Campbell at Skyway Junior High School. Those attending the events in Portland were Kevin Wilcox, Scott Langley, Mark Carney, Philip Hebert, Larry Perkins, and Robert Smith, physical education director at Skyway.
Golden Hawks — The Ashland Golden Hawks participated in the National Baton Twirling Association Maine and New Brunswick State Championships held in Presque Isle. Team competition wins were: first place, juvenile drill team; and second place in both juvenile flag team and juvenile dance team.
25 Years Ago – May 24, 1995
Brian Cronin is new coach — Brian Cronin, a teacher of health and physical education at Skyway Middle School in Presque Isle since 1987, was named the new baseball coach at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. Cronin, a native of Boston, Massachusetts, took over for Mike Brown, who returned to his home state of Vermont after a one-year stint with UM-Presque Isle. The Owl squad was winless in 20 games in the previous season.
Signing up — An eager group of children registered for the bike-a-thon portion on Saturday’s DARE Challenge. More than 200 people participated in the program, which included walkers, bikers and rollerbladers. All proceeds from the event went to the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program in Presque Isle.
