Presque Isle area From our Files (week of January 30, 2019)

5 years ago

101 Years Ago – Jan. 31, 1918

New presidents — J. Frank Guiou, president of the Northern Maine Fair Association was re-elected president at the annual meeting of the State Association at Waterville. D. W. Gilman, a long term of years connected with the official staff of the Northern Maine Fair Association,d was re-elected president of the Patrons Mutual Insurance Company, a meeting being held in the same city.

Knitting record — The following is certainly a remarkable record of one woman’s knitting and was done by Mrs. John C. Cooper’s mother, Mrs. C. E. Padgett of Buffalo, N.Y. With each garment, a friendly note was attached written by Mrs. Padgett: Sweaters 13; socks, 88 pairs; wristlets 13; scarves 5. Truly one woman can do much and Mrs. Padgett kept knitting for a long time.

75 Years Ago –  Feb. 3, 1944

Sproul heads council — Robert W. Sproul, new executive for Katahdin Council of Boy Scouts who arrived in Bangor the previous week to assume his duties, had had a wealth of experience in Boy Scout work. Born in Boston, Mass., Mr. Sproul graduated from Arlington, Mass., High School and Tufts College.

New garage — Norman Pomeroy, who for the previous year, had been operating King’s Garage on North Main Street, purchased the Perry Moulding Mill property on Academy Street and converted it into a garage, sales and repair shop. Mr. Pomeroy was also the Studebaker agent for this locality.

K of C head — Edward A. Gagnon was named Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council of Presque Isle. The local council and the Fort Fairfield council staged a card and bowling tourney.

50 Years Ago –  Jan. 29, 1969

New dost Office — Dalton L. Scovil of Blaine was awarded a contract to construct the new postal building and lease it to the Post Office Department. The announcement came from Postmaster General Winton M. Blount. The new building on Main Street was leased to the Department for five years, with options to renew the lease for an additional five years. This represented the lowest responsive bid of two bids received by the Department and reflected what department studies had determined to be a reasonable and economical rental for leased space in the area.

25 Years Ago –  Feb. 2, 1994

Service Merchandise closes — Service Merchandise Company officials confirmed quickly spreading rumors that the retailer’s Presque Isle store was closing its doors, ending a 16-year history of operation in the Star City. Approximately 40 employees, including 15 full-time people, were affected by the closure.

Donation — The Aroostook Medical Center League of Community Supporter (TLCS) made good on their pledge of $2,800 for the purchase of a fetal heart monitor to be used in the birthing center at Gould Memorial Hospital. The TLC group raised the funds with the help of an art auction held in November. Joan Gagne, TLCS treasurer, handed the check over to TAMC board chairman Michael MacPherson.  
Music box donation — Bev Gramour, manager of Noah’s Gifts at the Aroostook Centre Mall, and Susanne Sandusky, executive director of United Way of Aroostook, presented music boxes and globes to Sharn Hedrich and Donna Baietti of the Battered Women’s Project. A number of music boxes, globes and carousels were donated to the UWA by Noah’s Gifts, to be placed at both the Temporary Shelter for the Homeless and the Battered Women’s Project for the enjoyment of the children who came to these shelters.