75 Years Ago – June 14, 1945
Special prize at Kents Hill — The 121st commencement at Kents Hill was held Sunday, June 3, when 27 seniors received their diplomas. Jacqueline Colbath, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Colbath of this city, received the Knowles prize awarded annually to the outstanding senior in scholarship and other merits.
Miss Colbath entered Kents Hill from Presque Isle High School the previous fall, and had been active in sports and dramatics, taking a lead role in a three-act play, “Second Fiddle,” presented at Kents Hill in springtime. Miss Colbath was one of 17 Maine students to receive a diploma.
New Legion Post commander — G. Irving Brown was elected new commander of the Ray Goding Post, American Legion. He succeeded Delbert Packard, who had resigned his office due to ill health. The monthly meeting of the Ray Goding Post was held at the Alline camp at Squa Pan Lake. A lobster supper was enjoyed by over 50 members and guests. The meeting was called to order by the retiring commander, who turned the chair over to Commander Brown. Rodney Benjamin, World War II veteran, was elected vice commander to fill the post vacated by reason of the new election. Frank Powers was the senior vice commander.
50 Years Ago – June 17, 1970
Barresi selected as outstanding — James A. Barresi, executive director of the Northern Maine Regional Planning Commission, was honored as one of 1970’s Outstanding Young Men of America. Each year, this national awards program recognizes a select number of young leaders who have dedicated themselves to making their communities and their nation an even better place in which to live. Recipients of this honor are all noted for their exceptional contributions and service to various civic, professional and humanitarian programs, and are featured in an annual volume of “Outstanding Young Men of America” with a full length biography and record of accomplishments.
Sterling Silver Award — Cheryl Garland, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fernald Garland, Presque Isle, was named top-ranking home economics student at Presque Isle High School. As the outstanding home economics senior, Miss Garland received the Sterling Silver Homemaking Award for 1970. The award, a six-piece place setting of sterling flatware, was presented to her on June 11 by Patricia Snell at the seniors’ last assembly. The pattern for the award sterling was chosen by the home economics students at Presque Isle High School.
25 Years Ago – June 14, 1995
Grant for domestic violence — Maine Senator Olympia J. Snowe hailed a $426,000 grant awarded to the state of Maine by the Violence Against Women Act. Snowe was an original cosponsor of the act, as co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Women’s Issues, during her tenure in the House of Representatives. Snowe was notified of the award in a telephone call from Bonnie Campbell, director of the Office of Violence Against Women, of the Department of Justice. The state of Maine was able to make awards from the grant to a variety of agencies and programs. Those eligible included state agencies, nonprofit organizations, local governments, nonprofit victims services programs, and legal services programs for victims of violence against women.
Trap shoot held — A benefit trap shoot, sponsored by the Presque Isle Fish and Game Club, was held with $1,000 being raised for the Presque Isle DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program. Bob Martin had the highest score; Roger Nicholas, top overall score; Ken Wells was the representative from Happy Corner Auto Body which was the team that raised the most money.
