115 Years Ago -Oct. 26, 1904
Telephone poles — New telephone poles are being placed in position this week on North Main Street, the line extending as far as Mr. Gagnon’s store, about seven miles out. It is the intention of the telephone company to extend the line through to Van Buren.
100 Years Ago – Oct.29, 1919
Building bought — James Michaud, one of Caribou’s enterprising young business men, purchased the building in which his grocery shop is located from CJ Tornquist for $18,000.00
75 Years Ago – Oct.26, 1944
Potato pickers — A couple of young picturesque Kentuckians who have been picking potatoes in this community the past month entertained Friday morning, Oct.20 at Presque Isle for the return to their native state along with many others, the last of the over 1,3000 brought here for the purpose of alleviating the labor shortage during this potato digging season. These youngsters , just 17, were rather short on picking records but long on “local color.” They were from the “Pahn Mountains” or in the northern language, Pine Mountain region of Southeast Kentucky, a section of the big pine timber and of coal mines. The majority of the mountain people burn wood in their kitchen stoves but in the winter heat their “hazzes” with open-fire places fed with coal from the hills. In many instances the coal is available for the picking and is brought to the house a sack at a time, so handy is it to the dwellings. In a few cases it is even ‘shut’ right from the hill into the Coal Bin.
50 Years Ago – Oct.29, 1969
Bobcat and lynx threaten early mail carrier — Swen Landen, a colonist of New Sweden, was made mail carrier, although when pressed for time to work on his farm, his wife often walked to Caribou and back again, a distance of 15 1/2 miles to deliver it for him. It was often told that the mail carriers would drag the mail sack on the end of a long rope because bobcats and lynx would jump out of the woods at anyone walking past. The animals would then tackle the mail sack instead of the carriers.
25 Years Ago -Oct. 26, 1994
‘Woman of the Year’ — Patricia M. Collins of Caribou was named Aroostook County’s “Woman of the Year,” during the first annual “Women’s Day 1994” held Sat. Oct. 22 at the Caribou Inn & Convention Center. The Caribou Chamber of Commerce sponsored the recognition where it’s executive director, Brenda Libby, honored Collins with the presentation of a plaque. Education was and continues to be her greatest interests. She became a school board member and leader in improving the quality of Caribou’s education system. She lobbied for both the new highschool and the Performing Arts Center. She also ran for Caribou City Council and served there for five years. She also served two years as Mayor. She is a self employed artist and exhibits her work in Presque Isle and Augusta.
Earns pilot’s license — Sam Canders, a 17-year-old senior at Washburn District High School, has accomplished a goal many only dream of. On Aug. 10th, he received his private pilot license to fly alone, carry passengers and fly at night. Canders put in 40-50 hours of airtime with his instructor Allen Billings. His instructor said Cander’s accomplishments in flying at such a young age were very unusual and he was a very determined flyer. Canders paid all his own expenses for his license and classes. This past week, the new pilot learned he has been accepted into Embry-Riddle Aviation College in Daytona, Florida.
