Presque Isle area From our Files – Week of October 21, 2019

Compiled Yvonne Tardie, Special to The County
5 years ago

101 Years Ago – Oct. 24, 1918

Pleasant WCTU Function — The Presque Isle WCTU held a 10-cent social Oct. 11, at the home of one of the members, Mrs. Levi Crory, at her pleasant home on Highland Avenue. The function was made public by invitation, and there was a good attendance. The evening was most pleasantly and profitably spent and the sum of $3.10 was added to the treasury.

Everything started out in a bright social manner and when all had arrived, the following program was given: piano solo, Miss Edna Guiou; select readings, Miss Clara Turner; temperance solo, Lowell E. Hoyt, who responded to an encore with a pretty lullaby song; and select temperance reading, Miss Ruth Chandler.

75 Years Ago –  Oct. 26, 1944

Promoted to sergeant — A U. S. Troop Carrier Base, European Theater of Operations, announced that Arthur G. Umphrey, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred E. Umphrey of Washburn,d had been promoted to the grade of sergeant. Sgt. Umphrey, an airplane mechanic, was employed by the Norton Company of Worcester, Mass., prior to his entering the Army Air Forces in July 1942. Sgt. Umphrey was a member of a Troop Carrier Group under the command of Colonel William B. Whitacre of WEstern Springs, Illinois. This unit was part of the First Allied Airborne Army commanded by Lt. Gen. Lewis H.

50 Years Ago –  Oct. 22, 1969

Seven named directors of chapter — Seven people were named to the 21-member board of directors of the local chapter of the Citizens’ Scholarship Foundation of SAD No. 1 at the group’s first annual meeting. Named to three-year terms were Mrs. William Angelos, Clarence Keegan and Edwin Packard. Re-elected to three-year terms were Mrs. Donald Duncan and Stuart McKinnon. The two remaining posts were filled by two PIHS junior students, Alan Harding and Debra Talbot. The latter two held the position for one year.

Rotary member inducted — President Ray Jones presided at the regular Rotary meeting held at Hartt’s Restaurant. Martin Shaw became a member and the induction charge was read by Rodger Hunter. Business, relative to the future, was presented. It was reported that Gerald Jones was a patient at Aroostook Health Center. Visiting Rotarian was Matt Pratt of Presque Isle.

25 Years Ago –  Oct. 26, 1994

Pilot’s license — Sam Canders, a 17-year-old senior at Washburn District High School, accomplished a goal many only dream of. On August 10, he received his private pilot’s license from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and he was able to fly alone, carry passengers and fly at night. Canders had put in around 40-50 hours of air time with instructor Allen Billings of Bill’s Flying Service in Presque Isle. According to the instructor, he endured more weather cancellations during his lessons than any other student in previous courses, but persevered and received his license within minimum time requirements. Sam was also accepted at Emery-Riddle Aviation College in Dayton, Fla.

Second consecutive title — Sophomore Danielle Donovan of the Presque Isle Lady Wildcats’ cross-country team won the Eastern Maine Class A title for the second consecutive year, as her time of 19 minutes and five seconds was good enough for first place at the regional meet held at the University of Maine at Orono. Donovan knocked 21 seconds off her winning time from 1993 on the 3.1-mile course.