100 Years Ago – Dec. 13, 1923
The potato market — According to the Government Daily Market Report, the total movement of potatoes reported for Tuesday, Dec. 11, was 461 carloads. Maine’s contribution was 88 carloads, North Dakota 27, Michigan 39, Minnesota 63, Wisconsin 60, and New York 23. In Presque Isle there was light wire inquiry; demand and movement light; market dull; wagon loads; cash to grower bulk per bbl. Very few sales were mostly $1.70, Spaulding Rose mostly $1.40.
75 Years Ago – Dec. 9, 1948
New firm took over the Buick agency — Brewer Buick, Inc., with Eldon W. Brewer, as president and treasurer, took over the Buick agency formerly held by George H. Nightingale Co. Brewer said the new firm will continue operating its sales and service establishment in the building at the corner of Main and Academy streets occupied for several years by the Nightingale company, as well as no change in personnel.
Bryant reelected by the State Chamber of Commerce — At the annual meeting of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, Harold E. Bryant of Presque Isle was re-elected president of the State Chamber for the year. Bryant told 175 members and guests, including Governor-elect Frederick G. Payne, that the Maine State Chamber and its officers and directors had lacked confidence to step out and do the job they should have the previous year because of lack of adequate support and finances. He stated, “They realized that they do not have the support, finances, and participation of the members to take the steps they know they should.”
50 Years Ago – Dec. 12, 1973
Mrs. Mraz on the Public Relations Executive Committee — Mrs. Ruth Mraz, director of University Relations at the University of Maine at Presque Isle, was named to the Executive Committee of the American College Public Relations Association, New England District. The announcement was made by William Churchill of Wesleyan University, chairman of the New England District. The only person from Maine serving on the executive Committee, Mrs. Mraz was a membership chairman of the district. She had also been selected to serve as hospitality chairman for the joint district conference of the American Alumni Council and ACPRA held in Montreal, Quebec.
PIHS Career Conferences reached 1,000 — The Education Committee of the Presque Isle Area Chamber of Commerce had completed all but one of the Career Conferences that had been scheduled during the previous five weeks. More than a thousand of the students enrolled at the Presque Isle High School were involved in one or more of the more than 60 conferences, where they received information in regards to a vocation of their choice from one or more resource persons, who were actively involved in that particular profession.
25 Years Ago – Dec. 16, 1998
Nanny of the Year — Johnna Graves, daughter of Presque Isle residents John and Susan Graves, was honored as a nominee for the 1998 Helping Hands Nanny of the Year award. She received a certificate of merit at a special ceremony held in November in Greenwich, Connecticut. Graves worked as a nanny for a family in Westchester County, N.Y., for almost two years. In presenting the certificate, Christine Stiassni, president of the Helping Hands nanny agency, noted the child’s family had recommended Graves saying that she truly cares for their daughter. Graves graduated from Presque Isle High School and is a licensed cosmetologist in Maine.
AAA received a $500 donation — Dick Campbell, community relations director for WalMart in Presque Isle, presented Elaine Briggs from the Aroostook Area Agency on Aging with a $500 donation.
Membership drive — The Presque Isle Chamber of Commerce recruited 100 new members during a four-day membership drive coordinated by Membership Development Incorporated (MDI), a Massachusetts based company. MDI provided preliminary planning, guidance and consultation, and group and individual instruction during the campaign. The chamber’s original goal was 50 new members.
