Presque Isle area From Our Files (week of November 8, 2017)

6 years ago

102 Years Ago – Nov. 11, 1915

Financial arrangements — It was announced in Bangor that financial arrangements have been completed for the construction of the Mattawamkeag on the Maine Central to Millinocket on the B. and A., an electric line 23 miles long. Hon. Chas. W. Mullen of Bangor was at the head of the enterprise, and according to Boston advises funds for the construction of the line were deposited in a Bangor bank. The line should traverse a fine farming and lumber country.

Store opening — Alfred Beaulieu planned to open a meat market and grocery store just before Thanksgiving, carrying a full stock of everything in this line, in the store formerly occupied by Beaulieu and Gillen on Bridge Street. Mr. Beaulieu has had a long experience in the meat business, and as he thoroughly understood the requirements of the local trade, will no doubt get a good share of the public patronage.

75 Years Ago – Nov. 5, 1942

Stone is chairman — Mrs. Anne O. Stone, R. N. had been appointed chairman of the local Red Cross Committee on Volunteer Nurses’ Aides, announced by Milton S. Blackwell, chairman of the Presque Isle chapter. Others on the committee were Mrs. L. S. Bean, Mrs. Robert Whatley, Mrs. Genevieve Morin and Mrs. Clyde Craig.

Trees adorn lcamp area — The Bartlett Tree Experts Co. had been busy for few weeks moving large trees into the camp area of the Presque Isle Army Air Field. These trees being planted around the buildings to beautify the field and also to serve as a wind breaker when the real cold weather set in.

50 Years Ago – Nov. 8, 1967

Good work — Trooper Richard Hayford of the Maine State Police Traffic Division presented a Pedestrian Safety Citation to Officer Ronald P. Lavway of the Presque Isle Police Department for its record of no pedestrian deaths during the year of 1966. As reported in the AAA Pedestrian Safety Inventory, Presque Isle met the AAA standards for program performance. Presque Isle had received a 16 year achievement award in 1964; however the No Pedestrian Death award was broken with a death of a woman who was hit by a motor vehicle on Parson Street, thus causing Presque Isle to start a new program.

Knights host Boy Scouts — The Scoutmaster of the troop, Wendell Cassidy, was presented a Certificate of Merit by Six Point Program Chairman John Boyle for outstanding work done with the boys in the Scout movement, Kenneth Goan was presented with the “Knight of the Month Award” for September by JOhn Boyle for outstanding work done during the month.

25 Years Ago – Nov. 4, 1992

“Hug-A-Bear” — Members of the Presque Isle Telephone Pioneers of America chapter gathered to put the finishing touches on some “Hug-A-Bears.” The handmade cloth teddy bears help to comfort children in emergency situations and an overnight hospital stays. On “Hug-A-Bear Sunday”, Telephone Pioneers presented the teddies to children in hospitals statewide. Each bear takes about one hour to make. Over 1,000 bears have already been donated to local police, fire and sheriff departments by the Pioneers, a non-profit organization comprised of active and retired telephone employees.

Elks funds help — Frank Boone, exalted ruler of Elks Lodge 1954 in Presque Isle, and Melvin Johnson, chairman of the board of trustees, presented Steven Richard, executive director  of the Central Aroostook Association for Retarded Citizens Inc. with a check in the amount of $1,700 to purchase two Canon telecommunicators which will be used by three adults at the Work Activity Center for facilitated communication purposes.