101 Years Ago – July 26, 1917
Old and rare coins — Mr. W. B. Gould of Bangor, who for years had been an enthusiast in the collection of old and rare coins, some little time since, placed his collection on sale, the proceeds to be turned over to the Red Cross. A considerable sum had been thus realized in this way, but there was still quite a number of very rare coins left unsold, and a portion of the collection was in the hands of Miss Hall, clerk in the office of the Maine & New Brunswick Light & Power Co., to whom interested parties were referred and to whom they were able to make purchases.
Large stable — The Maine and New Brunswick Electrical Power Company purchased of Arthur Rand the Latter’s large stable on State Street and the corner lot adjoining same on the East. The stable to be remodelled for a supply store house and garage, and on the corner lot, the company plan to build an office building for the use of the ME & N.B. Co., and the Aroostook Valley Railroad Company.
75 Years Ago – July 29, 1943
Male/female enlistment — An illustration of the WAVE slogan, “This is a woman’s war, too,” occured at the Bangor Navy Recruiting Station when Carolyn E. McIntosh of Bangor, stood with Frederick B. Johnson of Presque Isle, and received the oath of allegiance to her country and the U.S. Navy. Lieut. R. E. Gilfoyle, officer-in-charge, officiated. Strangers before their meeting in the Navy recruiting station, Miss McIntosh and Johnson found they were allied in a single purpose: to serve their county. Having been accepted for Navy enlistment, they were sworn into the Navy in the fist simultaneous Navy enlistment of a man and woman known to Navy recruiting officials.
New commanding officer — Lt. Col. R. W. Owen was elected as commanding officer of the Presque Isle Army Airfield. He succeeded Col. Raphael Baez, Jr. who was transferred to another base.
50 Years Ago – July 24, 1968
FFA Band — John Johnston, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lauren F. Johnston, of the Easton Road, a member of the Presque Isle Chapter FFA, a regular member of the Presque Isle High School, vice president of the local chapter, home room president during his sophomore year, a member of the poultry judging team that helped the local chapter win the State FFA Grand Championship, and had two acres of certified Katahdins for his individual farming program, was selected by the national band director to be in the Future Farmer Band at Kansas City, Missouri, during the National Convention held during October 15 to the 18. Mr. Richard Kenneson, band director of the PIHS, recommended John.
Solo flight to Erin — A tiny, single-engined Cessna Skyhawk landed at the Presque Isle Municipal Airport piloted by a 39-year-old chemical engineer from Louisville, Ky. Howard Barret had completed the first leg of his trans-Atlantic flight when he touched down at the Presque Isle Base. Other stops on his journey included a stop in Greenland and one in Shannon, Ireland.
25 Years Ago – July 28, 1993
McLeod captures Open — Dwayne McLeod of Hermon was the overall winner of the 1993 Spudland Open Amateur Golf Tournament held at the Presque Isle Country Club. McLeod’s 36-hole total of 144 was three strokes better than Bangor’s Dana Worster, who fired a 147 during the two-day event. Tying for third were Bangor golfer John Johnston and Caribou’s Steve Clark, who each turned in 152s. On the net side, Millinocket’s Ron McNally led the field with a 131. The Freeman Memorial Award, given to the Presque Isle golfer with the lowest gross score, went to Phil Pelletier, who captured the honor after a two-hole playoff.
Harrison Farms host outing — Doris and Stan Harrison, owners of Harrison Farms located in Aroostook County, hosted their annual outing, which was established as an annual event in 1983, was attended by the Harrison family, out-of-town guests, Harrison Farms’ employees and their families, and other business associates. The annual outing was sponsored by and held at Harrison Farms, a 4,000-acre farm producing potatoes, peas, broccoli and feed grains. Harrison farms had always been chosen for top local conservation awards.
