100 Years Ago – Feb. 22, 1923
Mr. Hews on a business trip — Mr. Ray Hews, one of the most progressive and enterprising young farmers of the County, returned Saturday from Piscataquis and Penobscot Counties, where he figured actively in several very enthusiastic co-operative meetings.
At one held in Dover, 600 acres were signed up at the meeting, and had the weather and traveling been favorable, without doubt 50 percent of the towns’ acreage would have been signed up. During his trip to the southern part of the State, Mr. Hews was in Augusta, where, on Thursday, he attended the seed certification hearing.
75 Years Ago – Feb. 19, 1948
Norman W. MacDonald, former state official, named City Manager — Norman W. MacDonald, an executive of the Maine Department of Health and Welfare for the previous sixteen years, was appointed Presque Isle City Manager at a special meeting of the City Council, Monday evening. Chairman Benjamin A. Curtis announced following the meeting. MacDonald assumed his new duties. Mark A. Trafton, was not a candidate for reappointment as city manager, had been serving as interim manager since the first of January pending appointment of a new administrator.
Simone Cyr elected head of Young Professionals — Simone Cyr was elected president of the Young Professionals at their February meeting at the V.F.W. clubrooms. Other officers named were: vice president, Rena Pelletier; treasurer, Virginia Crouse; recording secretary, Paulyne Dionne; corresponding secretary, Althea Akely; club historian, Dorothy Winslow. An entertainment program was enjoyed after the business meeting, and refreshments were served.
50 Years Ago – Feb. 21, 1973
Eagle scout — Richard White Jr., 14, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard White of Presque Isle, was the first Troop 188 scout to earn the rank of Eagle. Richard was a freshman at Presque Isle High School, and had been in scouting for the previous six years. He was a senior patrol leader of his troop. Richard attended scout camp for the fourth time as well as the National Jamboree in Philadelphia. Troop 188 was sponsored by the American Legion in Presque Isle.
Lucinda Coffin crowned Miss Presque Isle ’73 — In spite of bad weather, a capacity crowd gathered in the Presque Isle High School auditorium Thursday night, Feb. 15, for the 27th annual Miss Presque Isle contest. The audience enthusiastically applauded the various events of the pageant program, which culminated in the crowning of Miss Lucinda Coffin as Miss Presque Isle 1973. Miss Coffin received a $500 scholarship from the Live Wire Club of the Presque Isle Chamber of Commerce, which sponsored the pageant. Miss Vicki Ireland was chosen Miss Congeniality and received a $25 savings bond donated by the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. Miss Ruth Brittain, first runner up, received a $50 savings bond donated by the Chamber of Commerce and Live Wire Club, and Miss Grace Harriman, second runner up, received a $25 savings bond donated by the County Times.
25 Years Ago – Feb. 25, 1998
Pines Health Center opened in the city mall — An increase in the need for primary physicians, an aging population, and the surge to make health care available to everyone had prompted two health care providers to expand their services. A market study by Pines Health Center determined a need for additional primary physicians and pediatricians in the Presque Isle region. The Pines Family Health Center, scheduled to open at the Aroostook Centre Mall, was designed to reflect the results of this study, said Pines Health care spokesman Bill Flagg.
Rotary handed out auction proceeds — The Presque Isle Rotary Club handed out $40,000 to area charities. The funds were raised during the club’s 50th annual auction held in December. The Special Projects were Martha & Mary’s Soup Kitchen, the Battered Women’s Project and the aroostook Council to Prevent Child Abuse. The soup kitchen received $10,000 from the auction proceeds, which was used to purchase a walk-in freezer and roof replacement. The women’s projects used its $5,000 to support a sixth-grade date violence program, and the council to prevent abuse used its $5,000 for various programs.
College fund bill supported — State Rep. James O. Donnelly, R-Presque Isle, cosponsored a bill set aside $14 million in scholarships to encourage Maine high school graduates to attend Maine colleges. The Maine First Scholars Program seeked to make higher education more affordable, increase the number of Maine college graduates and offer an incentive for talented students to attend Maine institutions of higher learning, to enhance Maine’s labor force, and to prepare Maine’s young people for future-oriented careers.
