Caribou area From our Files (week of February 6, 2019)

5 years ago

115 Years Ago – Feb. 6,  1904

First store being torn The old Winslow Hall store in that part of the town formerly known as Lyndon is being torn down.  This was the first store in Lyndon and was at one time occupied by Joseph B. Hinds.

Special train There will be a special train to Van Buren Monday night for the first annual ball of the Van Buren Fire Company.  The Caribou orchestra will furnish music.

100 Years Ago – Feb. 12, 1919

Passes Henry Briscette, one of Caribou’s old settlers and sturdy citizens, died at his home in North Lyndon, Jan. 28 at the age of 58.  His wife had preceded him in November. Both were victims of the influenza that swept away so many citizens of the French section.

In town — Olof Falk, one of New Sweden’s prominent citizens, was in town on Friday.

75 Years Ago – Feb. 6, 1944

School news — The senior class of Washburn High School will present their senior play, “Footloose” by Charles Burdette on March 17 at 8 p.m.  Also, 37 pupils of the Snowman School at Woodland sold a total of $1,155 worth of bonds and stamps in the 4th War Loan Drive, which opened on Jan. 15 and closed Tuesday.  Mrs. Milton said the total might have been larger, but only one family in the community was without children in the local high school. Woodland families thus made two contributions: one to the high school and one to the Snowman School.

50 Years Ago – Feb. 12, 1969

Beaver on the menu — “All is in readiness and a capacity attendance is expected for the ninth annual Caribou Sportsmen’s Banquet, scheduled for this Thursday evening,” according to announcement by King Lion Bud Brewer of the sponsoring Lions Club.  The eagerly awaited “piece-de-resistance” this year will be “Trapper’s special: Ragout of Choice Beaver.” According to dinner chairmen Ken Bouchard, the committee has sampled this rare treat for Northern Maine sportsmen and given their complete vote of confidence in the dish.

‘Bras’ for the asking Don’t tell anyone, but some store went bust. After the usual going-out-of business sales, whoever it was had some items left and thoughtfully turned them over to the Caribou Police Department for distribution to whoever might need them.  Now, the police department, for some reason or other, has declined to peddle, or distribute. It has, however, admitted rather shamefacedly that it is now in the lingerie business. Yes, down in the police station there’s a great big box of nothing else but — well, brassieres.  There’s no other way to say it. They’re all shapes and sizes, lightweight and heavy duty, lacy and of more durable types. They’re available for the asking, but the police department has declined fitting service.

25 Years Ago – Feb. 6, 1994

Queen Seventeen-year-old Alana Harrington was crowned 1994 Miss Caribou following competition of last Saturday evening’s pageant at the Performing Arts Center in Caribou.  She is the daughter of Maciej and Linda Szczepanski of Warsaw, Poland, and resides in Caribou with her uncle and aunt, Bill and Bonnie Weatherhad. Harrington was chosen from a field of six contestants and told the audience during personal interviews the most important accomplishment she has achieved in her life is being the best person I could be.”

Bogus bills Caribou police report counterfeit $20 bills are currently showing up in the Caribou area.  Caribou Police Officer Kevin St. Peter said Monday five counterfeit $20 bills were recovered in Caribou during the past few weeks including three that were reported last Saturday by two Caribou businesses.  Another one awaiting confirmation was recovered in Fort Fairfield as well, according to St. Peter.