Presque Isle area From our Files – Week of January 1, 2020

Compiled Yvonne Tardie, Special to The County
4 years ago

75 Years Ago –  January 4, 1945

Estella Shop rewarded city’s first 1945 babies — The first born in Presque Isle in 1945 were the twin daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Neil Delano of Presque Isle. The were born at 4:30 a.m., Tuesday. Dr. E.B. Griffiths was the attending physician. The father of the twins was with the Armed Forces overseas. As had been the usual custom of the establishment in previous years, the Estella Shop had presented gifts to Presque Isle’s first arrivals of the New Year. The gifts were two pink blankets, satin bound, and two pairs of pink bootees.

Stone elected Master of Trinity Lodge — At the annual meeting of Trinity Lodge, G. Charles Stone was elected Master to serve for the coming year. Other officers elected were, Raymond E. Salisbury, Senior Warden; A. Ernest Smith, Junior Warden; A. P. Seavey, Treasurer; Vivian F. Howe, Secretary; Philip P. Carver, Senior Deacon; Frank Hayes, Junior Deacon; Philip Brown and Harry Parks, Stewards. 

50 Years Ago –  January 7, 1970

Brown elected as chairman — Burtt F. Brown was elected chairman of the City Council, and newly elected members to the Council, Burton A. Thompkins and Frederick B. Lunt, participated in swearing-in ceremonies as the first meeting of 1970 was held Monday by the council. Brown succeeded Dr. Arthur A. Reynolds as council chairman. The oath of office was administered to Councilmen Tompkins and Lunt by City Clerk Dorothy Quass.  

First National Banks of Fort Fairfield and Houlton in merger — The directors of both First National Bank of Fort Fairfield and First National Bank of Houlton voted to effect a merger of the two banks. The primary purpose of the merger was to increase the efficiency of both banks and produce services that would give maximum benefit to the public. The proposed name of the resulting bank was The First National Bank of Aroostook County.

Frank S. Knights named as Star-Herald editor — Frank Sherman Knights was named editor of the Star-Herald according to an announcement issued by Karl E. Hall, general manager of Northeast Publishing Company. He is a veteran of 23 years experience in radio and television broadcasting field with emphasis on news and public affairs. 

25 Years Ago –  January 4, 1995

Mitchell joined Washington D. C. law firm — U.S. Senate Majority Leader George J. Mitchell joined the law firm of Verner Liipfert, Bernhard, McPherson and Hand as special counsel. Mitchell had held the position of Majority Leader since 1989. The Waterville native announced his retirement the previous year and did not seek re-election in November, fulfilling a commitment he made to himself to serve for a limited time. He withdrew from consideration as a nominee for Supreme Court Justice in order to devote his final months to Senate work.

Guiggey won snowmobile in raffle — Members of the Fort Kent Valley Snoriders Snowmobile Club were pleased to announce that Wanda Guiggey of Presque Isle was the winner of a 1995 Arctic Cat Panther raffled off by the club. The snowmobile had a 440 cubic centimeter engine, a two-up seat, electric start and reverse. 

PI girls received Girl Scout Silver Award — Prathima Prasanna and Nicole Handren of Presque Isle received the Girl Scout Silver Award, the highest award for a Cadette Girl Scout. The award recognizes excellence in skills development, personal growth, community service and leadership.