Presque Isle area From Our Files (week of March 7, 2018)

6 years ago

101 Years Ago – March 8, 1917

Championship — By a clean decisive victory of Fort Fairfield High School on their own floor, PIHS won the championship of Northern Aroostook for the fourth time in five years and the Holmes Cup for the second year in succession.

Funds for hospital — A series of food sales for the benefit of the Presque Isle General Hospital was held at the home of Mrs. Lindley Dobson.

75 Years Ago –  March 11, 1943

New president — Ted Thompson was elected president of the Presque Isle Merchants’ Association at the annual banquet and business session held at the Northeastland hotel. Other officers elected were Olin Berry, vice president, and Harold G. Brown, secretary treasurer.

Brown is corporal — Camp Breckinridge, Ky.: Promotion of Pfc. Gerald S. Brown of Presque Isle to the rank of corporal, announced by the Commanding General, 98th Infantry Division. Corporal Brown, the son of Mr. and Mrs. H. G. Brown of Presque Isle, was born in Smyrna Mills, attended Presque Isle High School and graduated in 1930. He was considered an outstanding and competent non-commissioned officer. He held military qualifications as rifle marksman. His advancement was well merited and he had been commended by his superior officer for his diligence and earnest devotion to duty.

WAAC recruiter — Margaret Wood had been appointed assistant WAAC recruiter.

50 Years Ago –  March 6, 1968

Model legislature — State Legislature Officers representing Hi-Y and Tri-Hi-Y clubs at the April session were Jeff Robertson, page of the house; Dianne Coffey, assistant secretary of the senate; Ruth Porter, sergeant-at-arms of the house; Cammy Cox, president of the senate; and Mike Ritchie, clerk of the house.

Gartley awarded — At the Annual Meeting of the Central Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District, a number of Aroostook County’s outstanding conservation farmers and leaders received awards and recognition. Myron S. Gartley of Presque Isle was the recipient of the Outstanding Conservation Farmer Award. The coveted plaque he received was in recognition of the outstanding soil and water conservation program he had established and maintained on his farm plus the unique services he had rendered the community in civic, religious and educational affairs.

25 Years Ago –  March 10, 1993

Soccer in Europe — Rob Belanger, a senior at Washburn District High School, was selected to participate in a soccer tour of Europe. Belanger tried out for the Northeast Soccer Club and earned on spot on the squad, touring England and France. The tour combined a unique athletic and educational opportunity for its participants. The team played six games, had training sessions with European coaches and watched First Division soccer matches in both countries, and visited historical places.

Northern Lanes wins — Northern Lanes of Presque Isle scored 24 points to capture the 1993 Caisse Populaire Bowling Tournament held Feb. 27 and 28 in Clair, New Brunswick. Fourteen teams from Maine and New Brunswick competed in the event. Astrobowl Lanes, also of Presque Isle, took second with 20 points. The top bowler in the two-day event was Tom Pelkey of the Astrobowl Lanes in Presque Isle (129.4).

Coffin scored 1,000 — Mars Hill native Tracy Coffin, a member of the Norwich University women’s basketball team, a physical education major and the daughter of John and Madeline Coffin of Mars Hill, went over the 1,000-point plateau in the game against Emmanuel College. The senior guard averaged 10 points and 3 rebounds while shooting 82 percent from the foul line for the Cadets.

Health adviser — Jane Cary, daughter of Jack and Janet Duncan of Presque Isle and a graduate of Presque Isle High School and Bates College, Waterville, was named health professions adviser at Amherst College, Amherst, Mass. Her responsibilities were to write pre-med students’ recommendations and counseling them about selecting a medical school. The position was created when former pre-medical adviser, William M. Hexter, retired.