101 Years Ago – April 12, 1917
Roll of Honor — Aroostook County had been placed upon the Roll of Honor of the Anti-Tuberculosis Association. Red Cross Seal work, having sold in 1916, 76,179 red cross seals, that being a per capita percentage of 932. Mrs. Sidney Graves who had charge of the sale in the county, had received a certificate setting forth the above fact, which was a source of gratitude to all interested in this great work for the prevention and suppression of tuberculosis.
Committee elected at the High School for the spring term — The following program committee had been elected at High School for the spring term: Cecilia McGlauflin, Heber Kierstead, Nathan Lowrey, Evelyn Parkhurst, Ruth Lenfest, and Avis Thompson.
75 Years Ago – April 15, 1943
Fairbanks and Coca-Cola — Arthur Fairbanks, well known in Aroostook business circles, had been employed in an executive capacity by The Coca-Cola bottling Company of Aroostook, it was announced by R. A. Whatley, proprietor of that company. Mr. Fairbanks was for 22 years manager of the Caribou branch of Wilson & Company.
Treasurer of WAA — Barbara Akeley of Presque Isle, a sophomore at the University of Maine, was named treasurer of the Women’s Athletic Association in elections held on the campus. Miss Akeley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George W. Akeley, was registered in the College of Arts and Sciences. She had been a Dean’s List student and had served as Treasurer of the Y.W.C.A. She was a member of the A.O.Pi. sorority.
50 Years Ago – April 10, 1968
Peanut Council — Thomas J. O’Connor, a native of Presque Isle, was made chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Peanut Council at the Council’s annual banquet. O’Connor served in the army during World War II and was awarded the combat infantry badge and the bronze star. Following the war, he attended Cornell University where he graduated in 1950 with a B.S. in agricultural economics. He joined the Suffolk Peanut Co. of which he became executive vice president in 1957.
High scores — Seven local girls won Grand Championships at the National Baton Twirling Associations for the United States and Canadian Jubilee. The championship was sponsored by the Ann “Whitley” Swartz Golden Hawkes Drum and Baton Corps of Presque Isle and Caribou. Pee Wee Grand Champs were: Leesa Clark, and runner-up, Shiela Swartly, both of Loring Air Force Base. Juvenile Grand Champ was Michelle Swartz, Presque Isle; runner-up, Ann McCrum, Mars Hill. Junior Grand Champ was runner-up, Marilyn Brown, Mapleton. Senior Grand Champ was Becky White, Presque Isle; runner-up Millie Bellanger, Caribou.
25 Years Ago – April 14, 1993
Condon promoted — McCain Foods, Inc. announced that Vernon E. Condon was promoted to the position of costs and budgets manager for the Rosemont, Ill.-based potato processing company. The announcement, made by Michael H. McCain, president and CEO of McCain USA, Inc., gave Condon responsibility for organizing and coordinating the company’s annual profit plan, maintaining and analyzing financial data, and implementing special projects.
Karate tourney held — Local martial arts students from Graves Institute of Self Defense attended Sensei Dennis Tracy’s annual Team fighting tournament in Ellsworth. Three Graves students were on the final two teams, with Bill Belanger, casey Belanger and Jason Stickney each bringing home huge first or second place trophies. In the individual events, Suzette Perry and Bob Argraves were the only local entrants to be dual winners, each with a first in the impactor division and a first and second respectively in their purple belt fighting sections.
