115 Years Ago – Dec. 23, 1902
Lightning? — It is reported that during the rain of Monday night, there were several distinct flashes of lightning seen by parties living on the Van Buren Road. Monday was also technically the first day of winter, according to the almanacs.
Prices — Coal is selling in Caribou at $8 per ton, according to some of the dealers in Caribou.
100 Years Ago – Dec. 27, 1917
Restrictions — The travel restrictions between Fort Fairfield and Andover have not yet been removed, and it is said that it is not yet known when they can be taken off.
Tax — The 10 percent tax on admissions to amusements is placed on admission to dances, whist parties, skating parties, and everything to which an admission is charged. Don’t forget this part of the performance.
75 Years Ago – Dec. 23, 1942
Weekend fires — Two Caribou fires in subzero weather caused an estimated damage of $15,000 to the United Baptist church and $1,500 loss to the Randolph Kierstead tenement house on the River Road this past weekend. The thermometer registered 20 below with a stiff breeze to make the fires more difficult.
Free movie — In the spirit of the holidays, Mrs. Julia Powers, proprietress of the Powers Theatre, is offering her 20th annual free movie show to Caribou boys and girls to be held Christmas morning at 10 a.m. A number of specially selected shorts include cartoons for the “kiddies”. The generosity of Mrs. Powers is appreciated by Caribou children.
50 Years Ago – Dec. 27, 1967
Miss Caribou 1967 — Kristen Bell, 17, was recently crowned the first “Miss City of Caribou” after 40 minutes of deliberation by three judges following the pageant here Tuesday evening. First runner-up and also “Miss Congeniality” is vivacious Lynn Lister, also 17. The Junior High School auditorium was jammed with 1,000 spectators who got the city celebration off to an enthusiastic start.
Exhibit open — During the “Birth of a City Celebration,” the Caribou Art Club is sponsoring an exhibit of paintings of Caribou artists at the Nylander Museum, according to Eldred Larkin, curator of fine arts in Caribou. The art show will include at least 50 paintings. There is no admission charge and the public is invited.
25 Years Ago – Dec. 23, 1992
Lights out — Approximately 1,800 households lost power Saturday night, Dec. 19, for two hours and 40 minutes because of a recloser failure at the New Sweden substation. Maine Public Service employees Wendell Doody of the Caribou service department and Richard Farley of transfer distribution, Cecil Hallet and Danny Walker of the electric department restored power to the blackened areas at approximately 8:45 p.m. The areas affected included Madawaska Lake, Stockholm, New Sweden, Perham, Tangle Ridge, parts of Woodland and the Van Buren Road in Caribou.
Transfer station to close — Sinclair, Cross Lake and Square Lake residents must stop using the Sinclair transfer station Feb. 1 for disposal of all household garbage except construction debris and brush. County commissioners voted Dec. 16 in Caribou to shut down the operation of the Sinclair transfer station. The closure will save taxpayers in three townships about $26,000 a year. The commissioners have operated the transfer station since the open dump in Sinclair was ordered to close in 1987.
