Caribou area From our Files – Week of February 13, 2019

Meet “W.C.” Penguin, who will serve as mascot of the 1983 Caribou Winter Carnival. “W.C.” received his new name from Robbie O’Dea, center a fifth-grade student at the Caribou Intermediate School who among many 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students participated in a contest where youngsters drew pictures of penguins and submitted a name under the supervision of Ursula Johnston, art teacher at the Caribou School System. As a contest winner, Robbie received as prizes a stuffed toy penguin, two movie tickets from the Aroostook Cinema, a $5 gift certificate from the Caribou Bowladrome and McDonald’s and a $10 gift certificate from Burger King. The presentation was made by Paul Powers, right, president of the Caribou Grizzlies, who will introduce “W.C” at the Winter Carnival’s Tourchlight Parade. (File photo 1983)

115 Years Ago – Feb. 16,  1904

Purchase — The Aroostook Lumber Company has purchased the Stevens mill plant in Fort Fairfield and its stock of lumber.  The property consists of the mill, a number of houses, a store and a stable. The mill is equipped with twelve shingle machines.

100 Years Ago – Feb. 19, 1919

Returning home — Corp. Napoleon Levasseur, who joined the American Army last year, has returned home and resumed his position in the post office.  Corporal Levasseur was with the 116th Engineers at Augers as interpreter for seven months.

75 Years Ago – Feb. 16, 1944

Honor roll — An Honor Roll of Caribou boys and girls in the armed service was unveiled and dedicated here Sunday at 1:30 p.m. with appropriate ceremony.  The roll, located on the Library lawn, listed over 600 names and was presented to the town by the Caribou Council Knights of Columbus with presentation formerly made by David Solman, who paid due tribute to the people being honored.

Bond contest — A 100-word letter on the subject “Why I Buy War Bonds,” written by Janice M. Borden of Caribou, is the winner of a $25 War Bond contest recently conducted by the Farm Credit Administration of Springfield, Mass.

50 Years Ago – Feb. 19, 1969

The tail was fine — A crowd of 500 hungry men gathered at the annual Sports Banquet in Caribou last week.  The prime rib of beef was “fine” and so was the beaver tail stew. With the sportsmen from all over the state on hand, they sang, laughed and told stories over the banquet table, and then were treated to dozens of really hilarious, downeast tales by Lew Colby, a  bearded yearn-spinner from Sebago Lake.

Tournament time — CHS Vikings are expected to leave the school by Bangor and Aroostook Railroad buses at about 8:00 Thursday morning for the tourney.  Game time is 1:30 p.m. The lead bus will be followed by three Caribou School Department buses transporting the high school band and twirling team.  A banquet will be held Thursday as a “send-off” in the team’s honor this Wednesday evening at the high school cafeteria.

25 Years Ago – Feb. 16, 1994

Band files for title — The Aroostook Band of Micmacs has filed an application with the federal government to acquire title to Loring Air Force Base and its satellite property, a representative of the band told Caribou City Council Monday night.  Acquisition of the base would give the band its own tribal land, according to Roger Pictou, chief of the Aroostook Band of Micmacs. The Micmacs last year proposed using the 42nd Strategic Hospital at the base and the house near the West Gate to establish a regional healthcare center.

Little Miss — Seven-year-old Krista Cummings was crowned 1994 Little Miss Caribou following activities of the Friday, Feb. 11 pageant at the Caribou Performing Arts Center in Caribou.  She is the daughter of Ed and Darlene Cummings of Caribou. Named first runner-up was Lori Grant, the eight year old daughter of Larry and Lanette Grant.