115 Years Ago – Aug. 13, 1908
Helping out — Beecher Currier is clerking in Scates & Co.’s store in Fort Fairfield during the absence of Mr. Scates who has gone on the Canton Wabasso excursion through the Maritime Provinces.
Improving roads — The further improvement of Sweden Street was begun this week when the laying of a new sidewalk was commenced. The curbing used was made at the plant of the Caribou Hydraulic stone Company near the dam and is A1 material. It is understood that the walk will not be concreted this year, thus allowing the gravel to settle into place during the winter, putting on the concrete next season. The work on the new state road, or that part of it which was intended to be completed this year, is practically complete, and extends from the corner of main and Sweden Streets west as far as the old Burleigh hotel. It is one of the best pieces of road in the state and taking into consideration the way it is made, the care exercised in its construction, should prove a lasting and permanent road – a vast improvement over what it used to be and a credit to the town and the county.
100 Years Ago – Aug. 16, 1923
Gone on vacation — Mrs. Ada Britton, the efficient librarian at the Caribou Public Library, is enjoying a deserved vacation of two weeks. Perhaps all our citizens are not aware of the fact that Caribou is very fortunate in having one of the very best librarians in the state. During Mrs. Britton’s absence the library is in the charge of the assistant librarian, Mrs. Bertha McGuire.
Event is a success — Over 100 representatives from the fire companies of Fort Fairfield, Houlton, Keegan, Van Buren, Washburn, Presque Isle, Mars Hill, Ashland, Caribou, Limestone, Woodstock and Grand Falls, N. B. Tuesday for a field day, Caribou sent 13 delegates. The weather was ideal for a gathering of that nature and the boys thoroughly enjoyed the event. Remarks were made by the chiefs of the departments from the several towns. At the business session it was voted to make the event an annual one, and doubtless when those who remained at home hear of the splendid time had by those present, the attendance next year will be more than doubled.
75 Years Ago – Aug 12, 1948
Fund drive by firemen — Members of the Caribou Fire Department are sponsoring a fund drive for a 1,000 gallon water truck for country fires. More than $1,400 has already been raised for the $5,000 piece of equipment. The drive opened Wednesday with the local call men soliciting the Caribou merchants and other business men residing in the town proper. One man from each of the many country roads has been named as contacting representative and will call on farmers in his area. Anyone wishing to make a donation should contact a fireman. Donations are accepted at the fire station. The following have made contributions: Spauldings Hardware, Pat Willettee, Eddie Pangburn, Harold and Dana Cushman, Vaughan House, Ernest Ashby, Willard McLaughlin, Hutchinson Florist, Lyon Brothers, Bill Raymond, Federation of Farmers, W. L. Anderson, S. W. Collins and Edmund Bouchard.
July second driest month for past nine years in Caribou — Since 1939, July 1948 rates as the second driest month since 1939 with only 2.73 inches of rainfall, according to the monthly climatological summary of the Caribou office, U. S. Weather Bureau. July 1942 with 1.97 inches total precipitation ranked the driest of this period. July of 1941 and 1947 were recorded as having the greatest rainfall, respectively at 5.70 and 5.69 inches.
25 Years Ago – Aug. 19, 1998
Summer camp with a difference — Ten children with diabetes participated in a unique camp experience recently at Cross Lake. ‘This is the first time ever a wilderness adventure camp for kids with diabetes has been held in the state.’ said camp leader Ann Gahagan, registered nurse and certified diabetes educator at Cary Medical Center. Registered Maine Guide Scott Arndt was also on hand to demonstrate canoeing, proper canoe paddling, boat-over-boat rescue, compass reading, map reading, fire making, wilderness first aid, and outdoor food preparation.
Non-profit find sales at concert — Local non-profit organizations and other residents from Aroostook County earned big bucks over the weekend as 65,000 Phish fans mobbed the Loring Commerce Center for the band’s year-end festival. Chris Crowell, Great Northeast Promotions special projects manager, said 30 different nonprofit organizations from across Aroostook County were selling concessions at the concert site. She expected these groups to make more than $50,000 over the weekend, but no exact numbers were available. Melissa Chasse at Loon Country Water in Garfield said about 13, 000 bottles of water were sold at the concert. She said that was about half of what was taken over the Loring Commerce Center.
