75 Years Ago – March 6, 1947
Robert L. Symonds associated with R.W. Wight & Son — Robert L. Symonds of Lisbon joined the staff of R.W. Wight & Son, funeral directors, Roland W. Wight announced. Mr. Symonds graduated with honors in 1945 from the New England Institute of Anatomy and Embalming, Boston, and formerly was associated with the R. and E.F. Gleason Co. of Dorchester, Massachusetts, and Dillingham & Son, Auburn.
He served in the U.S. Navy in 1943, being stationed in New York City. Mr. Symonds was a member of the United Commercial Travelers and Worumbus Encampment in Auburn, and the American Legion, the Odd Fellows lodge, and Pine Tree Grange in Lisbon.
“Y” secretary assumed duties — Morrill W. Paine arrived in the county from Troy, New York, to assume his duties as associate secretary of the State Y.M.C.A. in charge of the Northeast District, with headquarters in Presque Isle. He had opened an office in the Gould and Smith building, and was holding a series of meetings with local committees in Presque Isle, Caribou and Houlton. Mr. Piane met with the Area Board of the Y.M.C.A. as soon as the current series of community meetings were completed, to plan the “Y” program for Aroostook County. Frank W. Hussey was chairman of the Area Board, and other Presque Isle members were Philip H. Brown, James L. Rathburn, and Robert Smith.
50 Years Ago – March 8, 1972
New manager — Leonard Leonard Clark had been named and already installed as the new manager of the Mammoth Mart department store in Presque Isle. A graduate of Schenck High School in East Millinocket, Clark was employed for 9 years by F.W. Woolworth and for the previous two years by the Mart. He started with the Mart as a department manager and was later promoted to store manager of the mart in Derby, Vermont, and then as store manager in Bangor. He resided in Presque Isle with his wife, Brenda, and three children.
O’Donnell completed a real estate course — Thomas O. O’Donnell of Presque Isle completed a comprehensive course in real estate which was offered as part of the Fifth Annual Tri-State Real Estate Institute, Concord, New Hampshire. O’Donnell was one of 250 real estate brokers, salesmen, builders, bankers and appraisers from Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts who met for the weeklong continuing education program. Sponsored by the Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont Associations of Realtors, the institute is a 90-hour program which stresses both professionalism and knowledge. During the week, students received instruction in subjects covering the various phases of the real estate industry and were exposed to the latest methods and information pertaining to sales, appraising, finance, real estate law, etc. O’Donnell, who was enrolled in the course of the institute, operated the office of O’Donnell Real Estate in Presque Isle.
First prize speakers — Presque Isle High School held its prize speaking contest Monday evening in the school auditorium. Miss Jan Stearns and Mr. Stephen Burden won first prizes with their selections “Yellow Wallpaper” and “The Button” respectively.
25 Years Ago – March 5, 1997
Maine Potato Board interim director — Maine potato farmers elected a new leader to guide them into the future. Mike Corey was named interim executive director of the Maine Potato Board (MPB). He replaced Dave Lavway, who had been promoted to a national position. Corey was no stranger to the MPB. He had filled the role of assistant executive director and legislative correspondent for the previous six years. As the assistant executive director, Corey had been closely involved in state issues impacting the state, especially upcoming legislative bills.
Keiffer honored as Legislator of Year — The Economic Development Council of Maine honored Sen. Leo Kieffer (R-Caribou) as Legislator of the Year at their 29th Annual Economic Development Seminar. The seminar, which was held in Rockport Feb. 10-12, focused on solutions to the significant changes that the state’s economy was undergoing.
Retiring — Visiting Nurses of Aroostook outgoing board of directors president David Dunlavey presented a recognition plaque to retiring board member Harley York, Jr., for nine years of service to the agency and its board.
Dialysis donation — As a result of the Presque Isle Rotary Club Auction, The Aroostook Medical Center received a $1,000 donation from Fleet Bank for the County Dialysis Center. Contributions to the project had reached just over $190,000. Neil Buitenhuys, vice president of Fleet Bank in Bangor, presented the check to Bruce Sandstrom, TAMC senior vice president.
