101 Years Ago – March 29, 1917
Three farces – The University of Maine Masque played in Presque Isle Opera House under the auspices of the Girls’ Athletic Association. They presented three farces of one act each, as follows: “French Without a Master,” “The Day That Lincoln Died,” and “A Girl to Order.” They were greeted by a large audience.
75 Years Ago – April 1, 1943
Scouters session — Nearly 100 scouters attended the Aroostook Area Trainoree at the High School building. The session was presided over by Dr. C. I. Swett of Island Falls, president of the Katahdin Area Council, who introduced as the main speaker, Carl R. Thunberg, executive of the Katahdin Council. Thunberg outlined the organization of the council. The program was arranged and supervised by Fred E. Crockett of Caribou, Aroostook Area Executive.
Receives commission — Quantico, VA — George Raymond Dreher, 23, son of Major and Mrs. Raymond carl Dreher, who was stationed at the Army Air Corps Base at Presque Isle, received a commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps following the successful completion of the course at the Officers’ training school. Lieut. Dreher attended Harvard University, majored in economics, graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Science, was a member of the varsity hockey and football teams, and also a member of Pi Eta fraternity.
50 Years Ago – March 27, 1968
Skier wins in Germany — A Presque Isle man, Chris Holmes, was a star skier in the USAREUR Invitational Ski Championships held in Garmisch, Germany. Holmes, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Holmes of Presque Isle, captured the opening event of the Army championships, the 5-kilometer cross country, in a time of 28.21 minutes. Sp/4 Holmes was stationed in Germany with the 24th Infantry Division. He went on to place thirteenth in the slalom, fourth in the downhill, sixth in the alpine combined and fourth in the three-way combined events.
Chamber presidents — In recognition of National Chamber of Commerce Week, the past presidents of the Presque Isle Chamber of Commerce gathered in the C of C office on Main Street. They were Harold Bryant, ’46-’47; Frank Smith, ’50-’51; Phil Brown, 51-’52; Ken Ballard, ’53-’54; C. Hazen Stetson, ’54-’55; Burtt Brown, ’61-’62; Ralph Brown, ’62-’63; Robert Marino, ’63-’64; Sid Graves, ’64-’65; Everett Osborn, ’66-’67; and Darryl Gaiennie, ’67-’68.
Math whiz — Mary Jane Wright, a sophomore, received the highest rank in the State in the National Mathematics TEst given simultaneously all over the United States. Junior and senior geometry and trigonometry students took the exam.
25 Years Ago – March 31, 1993
Sales leader — Fay A. York of Mapleton was honored at Metropolitan Life’s Leaders Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The business meeting lauds MetLife’s outstanding sales achievers of 1992. York was an account an account representative with Metlife’s office in Presque Isle. He qualified to attend the conference by ranking in the top 20 percent for sales production among 3,500 Metlife representatives in New York and New england.
Gagnon is deputy — Thomas Stevens, Presque Isle city manager, announced that on the recommendation of Police Chief James A. Ferland, he promoted Police Sergeant Naldo S. Gagnon to the position of deputy chief of police. Sergeant Gagnon demonstrated his leadership capabilities, had outstanding record with the department and well respected by his peers.
PI sweeps volleyball — The Presque Isle Wildcats dominated volleyball tournament play, with the boys and girls teams earning Aroostook county title in the one-day double-elimination event. In the ‘A’ division boys’ tourney, held at Caribou High School, the Wildcats dethroned the three-time champion Vikings in the final, 15-10 and 15-8. In the ‘A’ girls’ competition, hosted by Presque Isle, the Lady ’Cats were losers in the first game of their opening match against Caribou, but from that point on did not lose a game en route to the title.
