75 Years Ago – Dec. 26, 1946
New “Y” Secretary in Northern Maine — State YMCA Secretary Chester A. Baker announced that Morrill Walker Paine of Troy, New York, accepted the position of associate secretary of the State YMCA to be in charge of the Northeast District YMCA, which included all of Aroostook County and the northern parts of Penobscot and Washington counties.
Mr. Paine’s headquarters was in the Gould & Smith building. This was the first addition to the State ‘Y’ staff made possible through the Restoration and Extension Fund Campaign, Mr. Baker said. It was the beginning of the extension plan developed by a special committee of the State YMCA under the chairmanship of Benjamin B. Sanderson of Portland.
Farm Load Advisory Group leader — Don L. McCrum of Mars Hill, a director of the Central Aroostook National Farm Loan Association of Presque Isle, was elected to membership on an 11-man advisory committee by the directors of the four cooperative farm loan associations in Aroostook County at a meeting held at Northeastland Hotel. He succeeded Charles A. Jamieson of Presque Isle, whose term was expiring. The associations, which had about 800 farmer members, had obtained Federal Land Bank Loans of over $9 million for more than 2,700 Aroostook County farmers during the previous 28 years.
50 Years Ago – Nov. 29, 1971
Contest of Champions Award — The grand knight of the Ashland Knights of Columbus Council was the recipient of the Contest of Champions award when the Council met for their annual supper and ladies night. Joseph R. Belanger was presented the award by Paul Harper, state deputy of the Knights of Columbus. The Ashland Council also received the Papal Challenge Award.
Militia and Eastern teams — A member of the Militia bowling team, Roy Lynch, won the high single trophy for rolling a 136 game while competing in the Northern Lanes’ All-Star League. The Militia team consisted of several local armed forces recruiting officers. Porter rolled a 142 game and captured the high single honors for the Eastern League in the Presque Isle Men’s Recreation Bowling competition. He was leading the league with a 112.47 average.
Appointed manufacturing manager — The husband of a former Mapleton girl had been named manufacturing program manager for the Safeguard System receiver programs at Raytheon Company’s North Dighton manufacturing plant. Ronald G. Smiley had served with the company since 1958 and held an associate degree in business administration from the University of Rhode Island. He was working toward a bachelor’s degree in business administration at the same school. He was married to the former Joan J. Bagley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Bagley of Mapleton.
25 Years Ago – Dec. 25, 1996
Shelter gift — Brenda Smith, executive director of the Temporary Shelter for the Homeless received a $1,735 check from Margo Dyer of the Presque Isle WalMart. The WalMart associates chose to donate the proceeds for the shelter in recognition of the service it is making to the community.
Named to Financial Committee — Rep. Richard Kneeland (R-Easton) was appointed to the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs. The announcement was made by House Republican Leader James O. Donnelly and Assistant House Republican Leader Richard H. Campbell. The Appropriations Committee jurisdiction included formulating the state budget, allocating federal funds, special revenue and block grants, the Rainy Day Fund, unappropriated surplus, bond issues, collective bargaining funding, review of revenue estimates, performance-based and zero-based budgeting, general fiscal policy, and the financial evaluation of agencies of state government.
Reappointed to Criminal Justice group — State Rep. Edgar Wheeler (R-Bridgewater) had been reappointed to the Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice, according to House Republican Leader James O. Donnelly, and Assistant House Republican Leader Richard H. Campbell, (R-Holden).
