75 Years Ago – July 19, 1945
Jamieson structure to fall — The demolition of the old Jamieson building on State Street had started. The tearing down of the new building, which was handled by N. W. Downing and Son Co., was to make way for the construction of a modern theatre.
The Jamieson building was owned by J. W. Bridgham of Dover, N.H., who formerly operated the State Theatre.
Larger potato acreage — The acreage of potatoes planted in New England for harvest in 1945 was 4 percent larger than the acreage harvested the previous year. A total of 282,300 acres of potatoes had been planted by New England farmers in comparison with 272,400 acres harvested in 1944, and 225,100 acres the average for the 10 years, 1934-43. While unseasonably warm weather permitted some planting earlier than usual, later unseasonably cold weather, numerous rains, and wet soils interfered with plantings and caused the loss of a small acreage by the rotting of seed. The Maine planting of 211,000 acres was 5 percent above the acreage harvested the previous year, 201,000 acres.
50 Years Ago – July 22, 1970
National FFA Conference — Greg Smith and Alan McIntosh, Presque Isle FFA chapter at Presque Isle High School, attended a National Future Farmers of America Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. The weeklong conference was held at the National FFA Center near the Nation’s Capitol. The FFA Conference Program is designed to improve leadership skills, develop an understanding of the national heritage and prepare FFa leaders for more effective leadership roles in their chapter and community. In addition, the conference serves as a forum for the exchange of FFA Chapter program ideas among officers from across the nation.
$5,000 in scholarships — Linwood Billings, assistant personnel manager of Potato Service, assisted an employee in filling out a scholarship application, totaling $5,000, that was available to children of Potato Service employees for the first time in 1970. To be eligible, the applicant must be enrolled in an institution offering a course of a minimum nine month duration. There is no requirement limiting the child to a particular field of study or school. Applications available at Potato Service.
25 Years Ago – July 19, 1995
World game participants — Shawn Maddox of Caribou and Tom Dewitt of Presque Isle were the two athletes from central Aroostook County to take part in the Special Olympics World Games held in New Haven, Connecticut. Maddox was a member of the Maine soccer team that finished in fourth place in their division. The team played against Kentucky, Zimbabwe, California and Turkmenistan. Dewitt picked up two silver medals and two bronze medals in weightlifting. He squatted 220 lbs., had a deadlift of 253 lbs., bench pressed 144 lbs., and had a combination lift of 605 lbs. Approximately 7,000 athletes from 115 countries competed in the World Games, making it the largest sporting event in the United States this year.
Jandreau completed Principal’s Academy — Tom Jandreau, principal of Easton High School, completed the Maine Principals’ Academy at the Maine Central Institute in Pittsfield, Maine. The Academy is a residential professional retreat for school principals held in July. The Maine Principals’ Academy is designed to provide a setting in which practicing administrators can share professional ideas, insights, and concerns. The Academy provides opportunities for administrators to reflect on the beliefs and practices that affect their school. It provides administrators with stimulating learning experiences which will enhance their knowledge and decision making skills.
