101 Years Ago – December 20, 1917
Officers elected — The Aroostook Jersey Breeders’ Association held their annual meeting at Presque Isle, December 11. After the regular business was transacted the following officers were elected: Dura Stanchfield, President; V.E. Wilder, Secretary; E.L. Johnson, Treasurer; Executive Commissioner, Dura Stanchfield, V.E. Wilder, E.L. Johnson, A.E. Moores, B.F. Cleaves.
Red Cross membership — At a meeting of the Tree Link Club the matter of Red Cross Christmas membership campaign was presented by Albert Joy, resulting in a good deal of enthusiasm. The lodge voted to try for a 100 percent Red Cross membership in this club of 75 members, and C. Fred Grant was appointed to conduct the campaign.
75 Years Ago – December 21, 1943
New Shrine leader — About 40 Shriners from all parts of Aroostook attended the annual meeting of the Aroostook Shrine club held at the Northeastland. After the banquet, a business meeting with President Harry B. Green presiding was held. Officers elected for 1944 were as follows: George W. Reed, Fort Fairfield, president; Dr. W. B. Roben, Houlton, vice president; Charles F. Fowler, Fort Fairfield, secretary-treasurer; Edward Edmunds, Fort Fairfield; T. E. Houghton, Fort Fairfield; John Edmunds, Mars Hill; and D. W. Haines, Fort Fairfield. Edward Edmunds was nominated chairman of the entertainment committee.
50 Years Ago – December 18, 1968
Top swimmer — Dennis Jacobs, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Harley Jacobs (Mrs. Jacobs was the former Mae Blanchard of Presque Isle), was awarded the Grieser trophy as the outstanding boy swimmer of 1968 following a meet at the Balboa Pool in the Canal Zone.
Host to farmers — Allied Chemical Company of New York was host to a group of Aroostook farmers and businessmen who toured towns in the Carolinas and points of interest on a two-day trip. The group toured fields of cotton, corn and soybeans using a brand of liquid fertilizer exclusively. They also observed vegetable growers in the process of harvesting their crops.
25 Years Ago – December 22, 1993
Local woman honored — The University of Maine presented the annual Maryann Hartman Awards to three women at a ceremony. The 1993 recipients were Mary Philbrook of Presque Isle, the first woman to be elected leader of the Maine Micmacs; conservationist and UMaine research associate Joan Brooks of East Eddington; and AIDS educator and activist Mary “Winnie” MacDonald of Portland. The awards, established by UMaine’s Women in the Curriculum Programs, recognize women whose achievements provide inspiration to others and increase campus and community awareness of the accomplishments of women today. The awards were named in honor of the late Maryann Hartman, UMaine teacher and scholar in speech communications.
Operation Lift-Off — As a token of their holiday spirit, the Presque Isle Walmart donated a percentage of its proceeds, taken on the day after Thanksgiving, to Operation Lift-Off, a charity program which makes dreams come true for terminally ill children in Maine. Sharrlyn Parsons, executive director of Operation Lift-Off in Bangor, accepted the checks from Walmart store manager Chip Boyles.
