75 Years Ago – Feb. 20, 1947
MacKinnon Bill to raise pay of teachers — Passage of the MacKinnon bill, supported by the Maine Congress of Parents and Teachers and the Maine Teachers Association during hearings in Augusta, resulted in an increase of about one-third in state school funds received by Presque Isle, but the increase did not entirely meet the cost of higher teacher salaries which followed raising the minimum to $1,500 per year.
The $1,500 minimum salary provision of the MacKinnon bill had little direct effect in Presque Isle as only one teacher was receiving a salary of less than $1,500. The school superintendent said the principal effect, as Presque Isle was concerned, was a general increase in teacher salaries throughout the state, which in Presque Isle was only partially offset by an increase in state school funds.
Ashland team retained crown; Wildcats third — With little Gilbert Ouellette capturing three first-place positions, the Ashland High School ski team annexed first place and retained its Aroostook County outdoor title honors over the Quoggy Jo Mountain trails, at the ninth annual Caribou Carnival. The strong Ashland combination registered a team total of 365.5, while Caribou High placed second with a count of 343. The Presque Isle combination, who previous to the meet had only practiced three weeks, much of that time under poor skiing conditions, made a good showing, ending up in third place with a team total of 329.2. In fourth place was Fort Fairfield with 312; Fort Kent was fifth with 223.5, while Madawaska came in sixth.
50 Years Ago – Feb. 23, 1972
Hospital received contribution — Presque Isle’s Civil Defense Director Joseph Gagnon presented A.R. Gould Hospital with two models for a training demonstration in connection with cardio-pulmonary resuscitation for patients. Assisting with the Monday afternoon presentation of Anatomical-Annie was Granville Lamb Jr., Star City Ambulance attendant. This model shows the circulatory system, indicating the blood flow of the arterial and venous system affected by the resuscitation process. Resusci-Annie, the other model, indicated the pressure to be applied when attempting to restore the heartbeat of the patient. The models were provided through Civil Defense, under a federal and city matching funds program.
Star City queen was a double winner — Candace Hawkins, Miss Presque Isle 1972, greeted well-wishers after Thursday night’s pageant. She took the treasured Miss Congeniality honor as well.
Presque Isle youth elected governor — Gary Bowden, a Presque Isle High School senior, was elected youth governor of the 1972 YMCA-sponsored Model State Legislature. Bowden was elected during the special training session held for Aroostook County high school students at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. Aroostook students from Houlton, Presque Isle, Fort Fairfield and Washburn high schools participated in the special training session preparing them for the actual Model State Legislature that was held in Augusta at the State Capitol.
25 Years Ago – Feb. 19, 1997
Championship team — The Central Aroostook Junior High School boys basketball team defeated Skyway Middle School of Presque Isle to capture the eight annual Centreville Hoop Classic. Team members were Jason Tapley, Andy Grivois, Scott Walsh, Lance Bradstreet, Justin Woodworth, Craig Durost, Josh Clark, Rob Collins, Craig Allen, Jared Brewer and Kyle Simonson. They were coached by Russ Bartlett, and team managers were Darcy Walsh and Lacey Bell.
Retirement — Orthopedic surgeon Gordon Somerville, MD, was the guest of honor at a retirement party hosted by The Aroostook Medical Center. Somerville spent 22 years practicing in Presque Isle.
Artist of the month — Laura Keegan of Presque Isle was the featured artist of the month at Gould Memorial Hospital, a division of The Aroostook Medical Center. Keegan had been drawing horses since the age of 3, but had no formal art training. She enjoys drawing still lifes using pencils, inks and pastels.
Carlisle honored — Senior hockey captain Doug Carlisle was recognized on Feb. 10 for being the all-time leading scorer at Presque Isle. The forward had accumulated 109 points in 71 games entering the previous week’s action.
