100 Years Ago – March 8, 1923
Potato market — The potato market was a little more accurate and prices were distinctly better. $1.50 was the rule in price in Presque Isle, with few moving from farmers’ hands to shipping points. One of the prominent buyers told the Star-Herald reporter that in his opinion, the supply of Mountains was running low.
The car shortage situation was acute, and it was almost impossible to get refrigerators. It was doubtful if the transportation facilities were equal to meet more than fifty percent of the demands.
75 Years Ago -March 4, 1948
McIntire elected head of MPG Membership public relations — H. E. Bryant, general manager of Maine Potato Growers, Inc., announced that Clifford McIntire took over active management of the membership and public relations department, succeeding John A. MaCargar, who resigned his position with Maine Potato Growers in order to go into business in his home town of Salinas, California. McIntire came with Maine Potato Growers November 19 as assistant general manager and manager of the credit department.
City Council approved a record breaking budget totalling $599,696.55 — The Presque Isle City Council at its regular meeting Monday night approved a record-breaking municipal budget of $599,696.55 for 1948. The budget as finally passed was $4,144 less than the tentative budget announced the previous week, following a series of hearings, but appropriations exceeded the previous year’s total by nearly $157,000.
50 Years Ago – March 7, 1973
Michaud elected board president — At the annual meeting of the Board of Directors of the Presque Isle Area Chamber of Commerce, Gene L. Michaud, sales manager for O’Donnell’s Express, was elected president for the 1973-74 Chamber year. The Meeting was held at the Northeastland Hotel. Other officers elected were Robert Jackman, sales representative, Arnold Machinery, president-elect, and Peter Powers, Northern National Bank executive, to the office of treasurer.
Chessmen tied games — The Presque Isle High School Chess Club played the Fort Fairfield club to a draw in a meet played at Presque Isle High School Feb. 27. Ray Haines of Fort Fairfield defeated Tom Pancsofar in the first match with Tommy Clapp of Presque Isle and Kirk Rideout of Fort Fairfield playing their match to a draw. The Wildcats chessman, Stephen Burden, evened the meet by defeating Dale Phillips of Fort Fairfield in the third match. Artie Adams of Presque Isle defeated Reid McLaughlin in the fourth match. Sam Rideout of Fort Fairfield came on strong in the final match to defeat Doug McKennan and leave the meet as a draw with each having two wins, two losses and one tie.
25 Years Ago – March 11, 1998
Green was named 1997 TAS Agent of the Year — Craig R. Green of Presque Isle was named the New York Life “1997 TAS Agent of the Year” for Maine. The award was presented during the 1998 New York Life kick off meeting which was held in Portland on Feb. 6. New York Life agents who were within their first three years with the company were designated as TAS Agents. This is the highest award a TAS Agent can receive. Craig also was presented with a sales achievement award for leading the Maine General Office in Long Term Care Sales.
High school seniors went to the Capitol — Six Presque Isle High School students, Erica Richards, Anne Thomas, Kate Schmidt, Lindy Ferris, Abbe Jacobs and Cherryl Cannon, took part in a series of government studies seminars in Washington, D.C. Presque Isle High School teacher Nancy McLennan-Smith said the students were invited by the Close Up Foundation to attend the week-long nonpartisan government studies program in which the nation’s Capitol became their classroom. McLennan-Smith said that while the students were in Washington, they met with and questioned policymakers, lawmakers and members of the federal bureaucracy. The students also participated in seminars with experts in the legislative, executive and judicial branches of the federal government, as well as with representatives of various interest groups and members of the news media.
