99 Years Ago – Jan. 29, 1925
Mr. Wilson’s nice encounter — Mr. John H. Wilson, manager of the Star-Herald mechanical department, came in contact with some kindred spirits when the “Cotter’s Saturday Night” was produced here. It turned out that the member of the company who took the part of “Tammas,” W. T. Wilson was from Largs, Ayrshire, Scotland, which is only 12 miles distant from Mr. John Wilson’s home, which is Beith, Ayrshire. The home of Miss Mack, the soprano singer of the company, was only 30 miles distant from Beith.
50 Years Ago – Jan. 30, 1974
GNP named Pinkham Super of Personnel — Henry C. Conklin assumed the newly created position of personnel supervisor for the Pinkham Lumber Company, a division of Great Northern Paper Company. Conklin’s appointment was announced by J. R. Adams, GNP manager of personnel, northern division. Conklin’s responsibilities were all the industrial relations and safety matters associated with the Pinkham mills in Ashland and Eagle Lake and with logging operations. Conklin earned a BA degree in economics from Lawrence University and a MS degree in Natural Resource Management from the University of New Hampshire. He served three years in the U.S. Army as a lieutenant, including a one-year tour of duty in South Vietnam as a combat infantry platoon leader.
Retiring president — Miss Charlene Drake was presented a gift as retiring president of the Central Aroostook 4-H Leaders Association during the association’s planning meeting Thursday evening, Jan. 24, held at the Agricultural Center in Presque Isle. Mrs. Marie Ashby, 1974 president, made the presentation of the lead crystal pedestal dish.
“The Miracle Worker” — Laura Stephenson as Annie Sullivan and Sue Wanbaugh as Helen Keller re-enact the dramatic moment when Helen, deaf, blind and mute, first associates an object with its name. The scene was from “The Miracle Worker,” a three-act drama by William Gibson about the early life of Helen Keller and her teacher, Annie Sullivan. Among the other actors were Kerry Munson as Mr. Keller, Colin White as a doctor, Glynn Blotner as Aunt Ev, Keith Pelkey as James, and Tom Clapp as Anagmos. Some newer faces to the Shipmates stage included Tammy Glidden as Kate, Carlene Hirsch as Martha, Mike Appia as Percy and Kathy Horton as Viney.
25 Years Ago – Feb. 3, 1999
Growers honored — The Maine Potato Board held its 12th Annual Meeting at Keddy’s Motor Inn in Presque Isle. With children and grandchildren present, Robert Bartlett of Littleton, Maine Potato Board’s Farmer of the Year accepted his award. Traditionally, past recipients of the award have accepted and shared the honor with their families. That tradition held strong as Bartlett addressed the crowd. Receiving the award for Young Farmer of the Year was Kendall Shaw of Fort Fairfield. Shaw is a third generation farmer who started farming 35 acres in the mid-1980s and at the time being planted 480 acres of seed potatoes. He had worked hard and achieved one of his objectives of better communication with his customers. Both Bartlett and Shaw received legislative recognition and best wishes from members of both the Senate and House of Representatives. Andrew McGlinn, outgoing president of the board, presented the President’s Award to Harrison McCain, founder and chairman of McCains.
New Perham town manager — Mattie Maynard assumed her new duties as Perham Town Manager the last week of December. She enjoyed her work with selectmen Robert Blackstone, Robin Paradis and James Poulin, and was thankful for the help and advice given by former manager Linda Sperrey. Mattie enjoyed meeting the taxpayers and people of Perham.
