75 Years Ago – May 23, 1946
Local man purchased Belfast Studio — Rodney Benjamin of Presque Isle purchased the photo studio known as the Tuttle Studio in Belfast. He moved to that city with his family to take up his new work. He resigned as assistant photographer at the Brown Studio in this city.
The studio was known as “Rodney’s Studio” and comprised an Eastman Kodak agency, portrait work and photo finishing. In September 1940, Benjamin enlisted in the Regular Army and served two and a half years overseas in the ETO. He received his honorable discharge in May 1945. He married Virginia M. Weir of Detroit, Michigan in 1942 and had a daughter, Diana. He was a graduate of Aroostook State Normal School and was well known in Eatern Maine dance band circles as a trumpet player and vocalist.
Presque Isle girl honored in France — Avis Beaulieu, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Beaulieu, Presque Isle, was among a group of American Red Cross and Swiss relief workers honored here for their program of aid to French people of the Bourgogne region. The two day ceremony was climaxed by a reception and supper given by the prefect of the department of Haute-Saone. Miss Beaulieu disclosed that a total of $1,350,000 garments, layettes and hospital gowns were distributed by the American Red Cross to people in the Bourgogne area since December 1945. Also distributed in nine French departments were great quantities of surgical sponges, vitamin tablets, prisoner of war food packages, Junior Red Cross educational gift boxes and medical chests. By the end of May, said Miss Beaulieu, 18 additional tons of soap, 1,800 hospital sheets and a supply of children’s shoes were also distributed.
50 Years Ago – May 26, 1971
Salwak dedicated Norton Museum — An open house and dedication ceremony was held at the Norton Museum of Natural Science May 25 at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. Dr. Stanley F. Salwak, UMPI president, officiated. Mrs. Leroy Norton, widow of the Presque Isle naturalist who spent a lifetime collecting shells and botanical specimens, was a special guest. The building was built by Mr. Norton to house his collections at his Lake Street property several years ago. The complete museum was presented to the University of the previous Christmas by Mrs. Norton. It was subsequently moved to the campus and prepared as Mr. Norton had it during his lifetime. The complete collection was available for study use and for interested groups. Field trips can be arranged through the Mathematics and Science Division at UMPI. In dedicating the building President Salwak praised Mr. Norton as a gentleman who placed service to others above self. Said he: “We at the University now, and the generations to follow, owe a debt of gratitude to this man.”
Citizen of the Month — Miss Darla DeLong was chosen Citizen of the Month (May) of Central Aroostook High School of Mars Hill by the National Honor Society. Russell Gillan, president of the Society, congratulated Miss DeLong for her award. Her activities include: chorus, three years; band, four years; yearbook art editor; and a member of the FTA membership committee. The previous summer, she worked as an apprentice at the Maine Museum. Chosen for a speaking part in the CAHS graduation, Miss DeLong was very interested in art and had actively participated in making posters and assisting others who had an interest in art.
25 Years Ago – May 22, 1996
Recognized for outstanding effort and dedication — Jack Foster, a prevention specialist at Aroostook Mental Health Center in Caribou, was recognized by the Maine State Department of Education for outstanding effort and dedication in the field of Student Assistance. He was presented with the award in April at a ceremony in Orono by Nancy Drake, Field Service Consultant for the Student Assistance Team Unit of the Maine Department of Education. Foster had provided Student Assistance to Presque Isle students from the past five years. He was nominated by his supervisor, David Harlan, Director of AMHC’s Substance Abuse Program.
O’Donnell appointed Fleet Bank’s regional president — Fleet Bank of Maine Chairman, President and CEO Paul R. McConnell announced the appointment of Claude P. M. O’Donnell was the bank’s regional president in the northern Maine market. O’Donnell was the district vice president of Key Bank of Maine’s eastern and northern regions and sales manager for Key’s Small Business Lending Unit, based in Bangor. O’Donnell was employed by Key Bank of Maine and its predecessor since 1969. During that time, he held executive positions of increasing responsibility. Prior to managing Key’s Small Business Lending Unit, O’Donnell held the position of executive vice president and chief operating officer of Key Bank of eastern Maine. A graduate of Husson College, from which he received a bachelor’s degree, O’Donnell also attended Rutgers University Stonier Graduate School of Banking.
