100 Years Ago – August 23, 1923
Certified acreage showed a big increase — The total acreage of certified seed potatoes passing inspection in New England, New York and Prince Edward Island, had doubled to the previous year, according to the report of the Department of Agriculture issued. Big gains in acreage in Maine had offset moderate decreases in other sections. Maine had increased her acreage from 1,186 acres passed in 1932 to 11,450 entered in 1923. New Hampshire also showed a gain. New York and Vermont had entered fewer acres for inspection than the previous year.
75 Years Ago – August 19, 1948
Blossom queen training in Camden — Miss Katherine Briggs of Caribou, Maine’s new Potato Blossom Queen, began an intensive week-long program at the Camden Hills Theatre, where under the personal direction of Professor Herschell Bricker, she learnt body movement, public presentation, stage presence and voice projection. During the day, Miss Briggs, who arrived with her parents, had conferences with Professor Bricker. Dr. A. Nicholas Vardac, James Madison, Dayson D. DeCourcy, and Eileen Byrne. These people, under the supervision of Betty Lehman, worked with the queen during the week.
Curfew law in effect — The Presque Isle city council voted to re-establish the curfew for Presque Isle youth as the council held their final meeting of the month. The curfew was placed in effect immediately, and the police and fire chiefs were informed of the council’s action and were charged with enforcement. The fire department alarm will sound once each evening to signify curfew time. The limit at which youngsters may be unaccompanied on city streets was 9:30 in the evening from May 1 to October 31, and 9 o’clock from November 1 to the first of May.
50 Years Ago – August 22, 1973
Lions helped with loan — Payment of $2,070 for the Opportunity Training Center land loan was made by Dick McCrossin, Presque Isle Lions Club president, to Ray E. Lamoreau, chairman of the city council. The local government backed the Lions in purchasing ten acres for OTC expansion.
Tennis tourney winners — The Presque Isle Recreation department held a tennis tournament during the week of Aug. 12-17 to conclude the summer’s program. Competition was held in eight categories with the most competition coming in the ladies classes with 20 students facing off. The toughest matches were in the boys advanced category with all but 1 match going into 3 sets. Victors were, Donalee Blackstone (girls’ advanced), Debbie Blackston (girls’ intermediate), and Edna Pelkey (girls’ beginners), Judy Rattray (ladies’ advanced), Stan McPherson (boys’ beginners), Greg Blackstone (boys’ advanced) and Doug Barker (boys’ intermediate).
Grant was elected chairman of the Treatment District — The charter meeting of the Aroostook Prestile Treatment District was held on Monday, Aug. 13, in Presque Isle. Ted Grant of Presque Isle was elected as chairman of the nineman Board of Trustees. Also elected were Donald Collins of Caribou as vice chairman and Charles Hatch of Caribou as clerk.
25 Years Ago – August 26, 1998
Carson promoted — Donald Carson Jr., licensed counselor of social work (LCSW), was promoted to director of the Substance Abuse Program at the Aroostook Mental Health Center in Caribou. Carson began his professional career with AMHC in 1980, first as a Helpline volunteer and later as a full time community support counselor. Since that time, he had held a variety of positions, including substance abuse counselor, outpatient therapist, community support supervisor, office director and then, senior clinician at Caribou Outpatient Office. Carson was a graduate of Michigan State University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and Boston University School of Social Work where he received his masters in 1984. Thornton received a promotion — Katahdin Trust Company vice president and senior commercial lender Peter St. John announced the promotion of Bobbi-Jo Thornton to commercial credit analyst. Thornton, a Lincoln native, attended Mattanawcook Academy and was pursuing a BS in accounting at Husson College at the time being. She began her banking career with Fleet Bank, and prior to joining Katahdin Trust Company in 1996, was employed with KeyBank. She served as commercial loan assistant at the Presque Isle office as well.
