100 Years Ago-Mar. 5, 1914
Community leaders speak out — The First Annual Meeting of the Aroostook County Board of Trade was held Thursday evening, February 26. The following community leaders spoke at the meeting: Dr. F. E. Bennett of Presque Isle; Mr. C. C. Harvey of Fort Fairfield; Henry K. Bradbury of Van Buren; Mr. F. E. Jorgensen, Fish & Game Warden; Mr. Harry Leighton, Limestone Board of Trade; President Todd of Bangor & Aroostook Railroad; Mr. Howard Pierce of Mars Hill; Mr. Dingwall of the Aroostook Valley Railroad; Mr. D. L. Duncan of Washburn; Mr. Wallace Waddell of Mapleton; Rev. James H. Gray of Caribou; and Mr. L. E. Tuttle of Caribou, with summaries of their speeches appearing in the paper.
Close call for trainman — Joseph Choate of this town came near losing his life on a B & A freight recently. He was firing potato cars, of which he had charge. In moving from one to another when the train was slightly in motion, he slipped on the high bank of snow. Had it not been for a slat nailed across the car door, he would have fallen under the train. He hung from his hands until nearly exhausted and discovered by some trainmen who rescued him from his perilous position.
75 Years Ago-Mar. 9, 1939
Leighton-Ryder wedding — The marriage of Miss Mildred Ryder of Caribou to Harry Leighton of Limestone has been announced by her father, E. J. Ryder. The marriage took place at Andover, N. B. February 8. Mrs. Leighton is a graduate of Caribou High School and has for the past few years been employed as secretary and bookkeeper for E. J. Briggs and the Hines & Smith Co. Mr. Leighton is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Leighton of Limestone and is a graduate of Limestone High School and attend the University of Maine. Mr. Leighton is engaged in farming in that town.
Potato salesmanship — Suggesting that plenty of good Maine potatoes in their diet would give his fellow governors more fortitude to “combat forces that are trying to destroy the principals of good government,” Governor Lewis O. Barrows sent samples of fancy Aroostook bakers to the chief executive of each of the 47 states in the Union today. Barrows said that each potato was a genuine “down-east” greeting.
50 Years Ago-Mar. 5, 1964
Of local interest — Mrs. Jean Lombard and Mrs. Florence Gallagher, both of Caribou, will be among the graduates of the Maine School of Practical Nursing to receive diplomas on March 1. CP4 Clinton Bernaiche is home on a 45 day leave with his parents Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bernaiche, after completing almost a year’s assignment in Korea. Miss Ann Marie Lizotte, a senior at the University of Maine, is practice-teaching French at Brewer High School; she is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leo Lizotte.
WW I veterans elect officers — Northern Aroostook Barracks 3110, Veterans of World War I, Caribou, have elected the following officers for 1964: Dr. Ralph W. Boone, commander; George M. Trusty, first vice commander; Carroll P. Boyd, second vice commander; Leroy C. Snowman, chaplain; Louis R. Cousins, quartermaster and adjutant; Ben White, sgt. at arms; Clair B. Noyes, judge advocate; and Trustees: William Castonguay, Harold Hale and Arthur Ouillette.
25 Years Ago-Mar. 8, 1989
Another gold ball for Lady Beavers — The town of Washburn has won enough gold in the last five years to affect the community’s property tax. Last Thursday, the Lady Beavers made it five for five for the school and four out of five for the girls, by defeating Buckfield 47-42 for the state Class D gold ball. Besides Meredith Hews’ eight points, senior Michelle Spinney and Suellen Hews scored 11 apiece. Cindy Richardson added eight. Offensively, Bobby Jo Maynard had two big baskets and Ronette Bragg another clutch three-pointer during the run.
County plans 150th birthday — Aroostook County’s 150th birthday celebration begins March 12 with a reception at the University of Maine Presque Isle for Dr. Richard Judd, author of History of Lumbering in Aroostook County. A birthday party for the County will be held March 16 at the Courthouse in Caribou with birthday cake, provided by Sen. Don Collins, to be cut and served at noon. On the same day, mail can be cancelled with the Sesquicentennial Cancellation Stamp at the Caribou post office. T-shirts, hats and tote bags with the sesquicentennial design are available at various locations.
File photo 1964
Preparing for the slope at the Northmen Ski Club site on Prestile Hill are, from left, Linda Fogg, Kirsten Bell and Louise Cyr. The club’s March meeting will be held at the Prestile Motor Hotel with Jim Martin as chairman. A ski movie will be featured.
