101 Years Ago – Aug. 30, 1917
Red Cross Tag Day — The Red Cross Tag Day and food sale held during the G. A. R. encampment at Aroostook Valley Park was a genuine success. Over $80 was the sum realized from the sale of tags. In behalf of the Red Cross, Miss Hines wished to thank all the girls who so willingly helped “to tag” the crowd.
Canning demonstration — Miss Eunice Miles of the domestic science department of the University of Maine gave a canning demonstration in the Town Hall. Her talk was interesting and instructive. While in town, she was entertained at the home of Mrs. V. E. Wilder.
75 Years Ago – Sept. 2, 1943
Annual inspection — The annual inspection of Lunar Chapter O. E. S. was held at the Masonic Temple. The Worthy Grand Patron, Fred Naylor of Westbrook was the inspecting officer. Elizabeth Chapter of Caribou were guests of the local chapter. Mrs. Leon Sutter and Mrs. Harry DeLong were co-chairman for the supper arrangements and Mrs. Rose Terrill was in charge of the dining room.
Potato purchase program — Charles Brett, marketing supervisor for the Food Distribution Administration, announced the names of the advisory committee assisting him in the purchase program of Maine potatoes by the FDA during 1943-1944. It was believed that the purchasing program in Aroostook would begin around Sept. 10. The FDA was to pay the support price of $1.90 per cwt., U.S. No. 1, to growers and dealers.
50 Years Ago – Aug. 28, 1968
District enrollment — The total enrollment figure for School Administrative District No. 1 (SAD) had been estimated at 4,050 students based on figures released by Joseph F. McBrine, superintendent. The figure compared to 4,017 students enrolled in the system the year before. The junior class enrollment figure of 274 and senior total of 243 were estimated from pre-registration. The 4,050 membership figure did not include 32 additional students anticipated in grades 11 and 12 from other towns who planned on attending the vocational center at the high school on a tuition basis.
25 Years Ago – Sept. 1, 1993
Stevens heads chamber — Claudia Stevens of Presque Isle was appointed as the new executive director of the Presque Isle Area Chamber of Commerce. Her husband, Tom, served as Presque Isle’s city manager. She replaced Bobbie Dow, who served the chamber for three and one-half years.
Recruiter named — Master Sergeant Debbie LaBree was named the new local U.S. Air Force recruiter in Presque Isle. She replaced Technical Sergeant Fred Soper. LaBree officially assumed her duties on Aug. 23. A 13-year veteran of the Air Force, she was assigned to Loring Air Force Base for the previous three years as chief of combat crew communications.
Wark named top resident — Officials at Community General Hospital in Fort Fairfield, a division of The Aroostook Medical Center, announced that Dora Shaw Wark was the August resident of the month. Wark, a native of Caribou, was born on Oct. 9, 1900. She worked for over 20 years at the Birdseye processing plant in Caribou.
Minimum wage — State Labor Commissioner Charles Morrison issued a reminder to businesses that effective Sept. 1, the student subminimum wage will change from paying a student under the age of 19 a rate as low at 85 percent of the regular minimum wage to a regular minimum wage rate of $4.25 per hour. In addition, effective Oct. 13, service employees who customarily receive tips as part of their wages will have their cash wage increased from $2.01 per hour to $2.14 per hour.
