75 Years Ago – April 4, 1946
Harley Welch heads Agricultural Association — Harley Welch was elected president of the Maine Federation of Agricultural Associations at the annual meeting March 27, held in conjunction with Farm and Home Week.
Other officers named were Clarence Parker of Sebec Station, vice president; Maurice D. Jones of Orono, secretary-treasurer; E. Carroll Bean of Kenduskeag, Fred J. Nutter of Corinna, and James Pratt of Windham, executive committee. The organization named to the Agricultural Hall of Fame Frank S. Adams of Bowdoinham, who died about 20 years prior. Mr. Adams was a prominent jersey breeder and did much to promote the development of this stock in Maine.
Presque Isle man receives Bronze Star — First Lieutenant John A. McCargar, an employee of Maine Potato Growers Inc. at Presque Isle, was awarded the Bronze Star by direction of the president of the United States. The presentation was made by Major Edmund D. White, Army recruiting officer for Aroostook County.
50 Years Ago – April 7, 1971
Burtchell named manager — The manager of Grossman’s lumber and building materials store on Industrial Street, Presque Isle, was Donald Burtchell, who joined the company three years prior as a salesman in the store and became the manager. The announcement was made by the public relations department for Grossman’s in Braintree, Massachusetts. Before assuming his position, Burtchell served as assistant manager under Shirley Tidd, who started managing Grossman’s store in Houlton. Burtchell had represented the Presque Isle store at Grossman’s two-day managers meeting at the Colonial Hilton Hotel in Lynfield, Massachusetts. Ninety-seven managers of branches from Maine to Pennsylvania attended.
Star City ranked ninth in state taxable sales — The most recent figures available from the state Bureau of Taxation indicated that Presque Isle’s taxable sales for the month of October 1970 were $2,736,436, nearly $300,000 ahead of October 1969. According to Chamber of Commerce officials, January through October totals were $22,302,093; this figure represented an increase of $2,232,648 over a similar period a year prior. A review of returns from other communities in the Central Aroostook area indicated that Presque Isle recorded just under 60 percent of the taxable sales for the month of October and 49 percent for the year to date. Presque Isle ranked 9th in the state for October while September reports indicated 10th place.
25 Years Ago – April 3, 1996
Wolves capture league — The Cunningham seventh-grade boys basketball team completed its season with a 13-3 overall record and a league mark of 5-1, good for first place in the Aroostook League. Leading the Wolves in scoring was Nick Casavant, who tallied 17.2 per contest. Josh Gale tossed in 7.5 per game. The Wolves averaged 52 points as a team while allowing an average of just 40 per contest. The season was highlighted by a 12-game winning streak and the fact that all 12 players on the team reached the scoring column.
Students, businesses recognized at FFA banquet — Several students, businesses and members of the community were recognized at a Future Farmers of America awards ceremony held at Presque Isle High School. Over 375 people attended the ceremony to see students, all enrolled in the agriscience and natural resources program of the Presque Isle Regional Technology Center, receive recognition. Students enrolled in the agriscience program automatically become FFA members. Among students recognized were 100 first-year FFA members, who all received pins for earning Greenhand Degrees, the first which can be achieved in the FFA. Thirty students received Chapter Degrees, the second that can be achieved, and 10 received State Degrees, the third level that can be earned.
