Presque Isle area From our Files – Week of May 8, 2024

WOMEN’S EXTENSION MEETING — The annual meeting of the Women’s Extension Association in Aroostook County was held Saturday, May 4, at Weiden Hall at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. The guest speaker was Elizabeth Alston of New York City, the food editor for Redbook Magazine. The British born editor, who used to operate her own food consulting business, talked about how the foods one eats affect the quality and length of life in a speech entitled “The Concerned Cook In The Pizza Generation.” from left above were Mrs. Ruby Kelley, Chairman of the women’s Extension, Mrs. Joan Michaud, Extension agent, and the guest speaker. (File photo 1974/The Star-Herald)

99 Years Ago – May 7, 1925

Pleasing recital — The Music Club composed of Miss George Barker’s pupils gave a pleasing recital at the home of Velma Paul. The following pupils took part: Alice Everett, Eleanor Cooper, Mildred Brown, Viola Farnham, Emma Lamson, Alice Osgood, Katherine Bean and Hazel Davis. The entire program was creditable to all who participated.

50 Years Ago – May 8, 1974

Washburn auction net $3,000 — Preceded by a buffet supper, the Washburn Rotary Club held its Annual Rotary Auction Wednesday evening, April 24, at the grade school cafeteria. Getting underway at 7 p.m. Rotary Club president Jim Clarck introduced the chairman, Rotarian William Leah, and vice-chairman, Rotarian John Cyr. He also presented the auctioneers Irvine K. Clark, Malcolm R. Holts, William Leach and Richard Farley. Being sold out at 10:30 p.m. the club members announced this had been the largest and best auction they had ever held. With an attendance of approximately 175, which represented members from Ashland, Caribou, Presque Isle and other area Rotary Clubs, as well as non-rotary attendance, a tentative estimate of $3,000 was the receipts for the evening.

Bank officer — The appointment of Edwin Bonenfant as business development officer for the Northern National Bank was announced May 7 by the bank’s president, J. Roger Erskine. Bonenfant, a native of Presque Isle, graduated from Presque Isle High School and Ricker College with a B.S. degree in business administration. Bonenfant was a member of the Maine National Guard. He was previously employed at Houlton Motors, Inc. Houlton. 

25 Years Ago – May 12, 1999

Berry won the NMTC 5K race — Northern Maine Technical College was the site of the “Run For Life” Road Race, held Saturday morning with a total of 86 participants. The five-kilometer run included 41 racers, with Shawn Berry of Presque Isle winning the men’s division in 16 minutes and 42 seconds and Angela Edgecomb of Monticello taking the women’s competition in 19:32. Theodore Cake of Bar Harbor was also awarded a trophy for being the first NMTC student or employee to cross the finish line. There were 28 area residents participating in the 5K walk, with Tina Warren of Caribou placing first in 43:54. The Kid’ WOG (walk, run or jog) involved 17 youngsters. Jessica Jago of Houlton was the first winner and Jordy Rush-Mabry of Fort Fairfield took first in the boys division.

Thompson received an award — Arthur H. Thompson of Thompson Associates in Presque Isle was presented the Lester A. Rosen Humanitarian and Achievement Award by the Union Central Life Insurance Co. Thompson, a 15-year veteran of the company and a chartered life underwriter and financial consultant, received an inscribed plaque at a conference in San Diego. The Rosen Award was created for and presented to Rosen in 1995 for his outstanding achievement in serving Union central for more than six decades. Each year since, the award had been presented to an associate of Union Central who personifies Rosen’s spirit of desiccation, company loyalty, industry leadership and service to the community. Union Central makes a $5,000 contribution to the charity of the winner’s choice. Thompson chose to donate the money to an endowment fund supporting the Olympic Biathlon effort in Maine.