115 Years Ago – Dec. 16, 1902
Very cold — After eight consecutive days of severe cold weather, Saturday was ushered in still colder weather than any we had had up until that time. It is reported that the thermometer registered 36 below zero in the early morning and at noon it was still hovering around the 0 mark.
Stringing — The stringing of the copper wires for the long distance telephone was finished last week, placing this county on easy talking terms with Boston and other cities.
100 Years Ago – Dec. 20, 1917
Telephone — Limestone has a new paper. We have not been favored by receiving a copy, but heard a man say that he saw a man who had heard another man say that the man’s wife had been informed by another woman who said a sister of hers was talking to her husband about a man who said he had heard a man telling another man that a boy had said he heard another boy telling his father that he heard a man say he saw a man who had said he had seen a man who had received a copy of volume one, number one, which appeared two weeks ago. We welcome the Limestone Herald to the journalistic field of Aroostook and should be pleased to be placed on its exchange list.
75 Years Ago – Dec. 16, 1942
Banned — The use of inflammable Christmas decorations in any school, dance hall, cocktail lounge or any other place of public assembly was ordered prohibited this week by the Maine State Insurance Department. Fire Chief Murray Mockler suggested the use of small Christmas trees without lights only. These should be kept away from all exits and no decorations should be used around the floors or window. The CFD has offered its cooperation to any of the schools or churches during the hour of service or program in order to take all necessary precautions possible this season.
Yule Cabaret — The Christmas headliner for the Presque Isle Army Air Field service men will be the “Holly Day Cabret,” a gala nightclub dancing program presented in the Base Recreation building from 8 p.m. until midnight on Friday, Dec .25. More than 300 women from Caribou, Presque Isle, Van Buren, Fort Fairfield and Fort Kent are being invited to attend the Yuletide event.
50 Years Ago – Dec. 20, 1967
Light up the sky — Caribou is going to light up the sky, literally, this New Year’s Eve when the clock strikes 12 midnight on Dec. 31. Fire Chief Donald Woods will apply the torch to a giant heap of Christmas trees and other items of fuel on the airport runway and the flames will leap skyward and herald the advent of Maine’s 22nd city– Caribou. The highlight of the evening at 8:00 will be a three-way telephone conversation between the mayor of Anchorage, Alaska, the most northwestern city; St. Augustine, Florida, the oldest city; and Caribou, the most northeastern and newest city in the United States.
Yule trees to burn — When you are through with that Christmas tree next week, just place it in your driveway or on your front lawn, and it will be picked up Friday, Dec. 29, or Saturday, Dec. 30, and taken to the airport under arrangements by the local Jaycees. The Jaycees plan on burning them in one of the biggest bonfires ever seen here. You can also drop off your tree at the airport before midnight on Dec. 31 and it will go up in a big blaze along with the others.
25 Years Ago – Dec. 16, 1992
New math and science center — The Limestone School Committee on Thursday wrapped up 1992 with Superintendent James Morse presented what he called a “most important” step toward the department’s future: the possibility of the Limestone Public Schools being used for a math and science center for students from all over Aroostook County. Although the concept is still in the idea stage, Morse said he has a positive outlook.
Retirement — After 18 years on the Caribou School Board, Keaton Nadeau retired from his position. During the Dec. 8 meeting, Nadeau was presented a plaque from Robert Vickers, chairman, in honor of his recent retirement. He served on the school board from 1975-92, as chairman in 1979, 1982 and 1990.
