101 Years Ago – May 2, 1918
Eastern Star — Lunar Chapter 126 OES held its regular meeting with W.M. Blanche Washburn in the chair. Considerable important business was transacted and three candidates were instructed in the degrees. A delicious supper was served under the supervision of the following committee: Edna Perry, Chairman; Ora Phair, Mamie Pipes, Sarah Pipes, Elizabeth Hanson, Messrs. N.F. Perry, C.F. A. Phair, H.R. Pipes, W.R. Pipes, Carroll Hanson and E.L. Guiou. The members were asked to contribute 25 cents each for the flower fund and $17 was received. Among the visitors were Fern O’Connell, who assisted in the music, and her milliner, Mrs. Fannie West.
75 Years Ago – May 4, 1944
Nursing degree — Rosemond Clare Donahue of Presque Isle received the master of nursing degree from Yale University School of Nursing at the graduation exercises in New Haven, Connecticut. President Charles Seymour conferred the degree on Miss Donahue, who was a member of a class of 50 graduating at the time. Before entering the nursing school, Miss Donahue was awarded the bachelor of arts degree from Colby College in 1941.
50 Years Ago – April 30, 1969
Dollars for Scholars — School Administrative District No. 1 Dollars for Scholars had officially been formed and Thomas Sweetser was named the group’s president. The organization, a national scope, concerned itself with soliciting funds to create scholarships for deserving students. Awards to students were generally in the $200 to $600 range and they were designed to make up the difference between what the recipient’s parents could do to help.
Successful season — Presque Isle High School ski team had a successful season and was honored at a social party. Those honored were Lee Thibodeau, Randy Marino, Frank Giberson, Billy Allen, Andy Marino, Doug Esty, Ralph Ferland, Andy Moscowitz, Billy Smith, Joe Nightengale, Erick Hedenrickson, Leo Freeman, Steven Nichols and Brian Hawkins.
25 Years Ago – May 4, 1994
DFAS to come to Loring — Loring Air Force Base was one of 25 locations across the nation, but the only choice in Maine, to be selected as a Defense Finance and Accounting Service center. Secretary of Defense William Perry made the announcement from his own office at the Pentagon. Local officials were excited over the prospect of the 750 jobs the center created, and called the announcement a “significant milestone toward the reuse of Loring.”
Geography Whiz — Adam Johnson, the son of Ben and Sally Johnson of Presque Isle, an eighth-grader at Skyway Middle School in Presque Isle, placed third in the state during the National Geography Bee competition. The state level contest was held at Colby College, Waterville. Johnson had previously won the Skyway bee. The event is open to all students in grades 6-8 and is conducted in social studies classes. Questions challenge students’ knowledge of world geography.
First scholarship awarded — John Worsley of Presque Isle, a senior computer electronics student at Northern Maine Technical College, was awarded the first Philip Parker Memorial Scholarship. Nancy Parker Donovan, daughter of the late Philip Parker, presented Worsley with a $500 check on behalf of her family.
