Presque Isle area From Our Files (week of December 20, 2017)

6 years ago

102 Years Ago – Dec. 23, 1915

Candidacy for Sheriff — Deputy Sheriff Martin Lawlis was in town in the interest of his candidacy for Sheriff, announcement published in this issue. If a record of long experience, and unquestioned efficiency and good judgment in handling public matters coming within the scope of the duties of the office of Sheriff, are to be the test, Mr. Lawlis will no doubt have a large following in his candidacy.

New job — Chester Powers, Presque Isle High School ’13 and a graduate of Shaw Business College, accepted a position with the Lincoln Trust Co., Lincoln, Maine.

75 Years Ago – Dec. 17, 1942

Silver wings — Gulf Coast Center, December 13, one of the largest classes ever to receive silver pilot’s wings at the seven schools of the Army Air Forces Gulf Coast Training Center, little more than one year after Pearl Harbor. Many of these already seasoned flyers to carry America’s smashing vengeance to the Axis. Included in the group were Lieut. Frank Reed of Fort Fairfield, and Flight Officer Elwood L. Morris Jr. of Mars Hill.

Byron Johnston promoted to Technician 5th Grade — Camp Pickett, VA, Dec. 15, Byron F. Johnston, son of Mr. and Mrs. Loren F. Johnston of Presque Isle, had been promoted to the grade of Technician Fifth Grade. Prior to his induction into the army, May 7, and his transfer to Comp Pickett Sept. 24, Corporal Johnston was employed by the Colts Pat. Fire Arms Manufacturing Company of Hartford, Conn.

50 Years Ago – Dec. 20, 1967

WFST manager — R. Murray Briggs, President of the Northern Broadcasting Company, announced the appointment of Ronald D. Dagenals as general manager of WFST Radio. Dagenals came to Caribou from WTSV AM-FM,  a Knight Quality Station in Claremont, N.H. He had been associated with the station since 1957, and served as its assistant general manager and sales manager.

New youth leader — Rosalyn Rappaport, a new University of Maine Extension “youth leader” in the Central Aroostook Area, began a leader recruitment program for 4-H. Miss Rappaport, who just arrived on the job, planned to start new and revive former 4-H groups.

Footwear Company promotion — Durwood Currier of Gorham, N.H., was promoted to factory superintendent of the Presque Isle Footwear Company, Skyway Industrial Park, Presque Isle, ME, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Converse Rubber Company, whose headquarters are located here.

25 Years Ago – Dec. 16, 1992

45th annual auction — The 45th Presque Isle Rotary Club Radio-TV Auction reached a successful conclusion as members culminated three evenings of their annual fundraising event. More than $30,000 was donated by area merchants to support the many projects that benefit from the proceeds.In addition to the merchandise sold during the auction, an additional $27,300 was collected to purchase and equip a new van for the Aroostook Area Agency on Aging Meals-On-Wheels program. Money raised beyond the costs of a new van put directly into meals for elderly recipients.

New club member — Fay York was welcomed as the newest member of the Presque Isle Kiwanis Club during a meeting. He was accompanied  by his sponsor, Donna Delong, and was inducted into the club by membership committee member Sharon Rose.