Presque Isle area From our Files – Week of February 22, 2021

3 years ago

75 Years Ago –   Feb. 21, 1946

Whittaker promoted to captain — Former Lieut. C. W. Whittaker, the son of Mr. and Mrs. W.B. Whittaker of this city, married to the former Margaret Dickinson of Washburn, stationed in Manila with the 360th Station Hospital, was promoted to the rank of Captain.

During her husband’s absence, Mrs. Whittaker lived in Chicago where she was employed.

Reynolds opened medical practice — Dr. Arthur P. Reynolds, son of Mr. and Mrs. A.L. Reynolds of this city, opened a medical service in town. Dr. Reynolds was born in Presque Isle and attended the public schools. He was a graduate of Bowdoin College where he received the degree of Bachelor of Science. While at Bowdoin, dr. Reynolds was business manager of the Bowdoin Quill, the college magazine, member of the rifle team, manager of the track team, on the Dean’s list, president of and delegate to the national convention of Sigma Nu fraternity. He received his medical education at McGill University Medical School in Montreal. 

50 Years Ago –  Feb. 24, 1971

Ordination service — Galen L. MacDonald was ordained to the Christian ministry Feb. 19, at the Bethany Baptist Church in Presque Isle. The Rev. John Dunn of the Bethel Baptist Church of Fort Fairfield gave the report of the Ordination Council. Dr. Elmer Bentley, executive secretary of the United Baptist Convention of Maine, presented the vows of ordination. The charge to the candidate was given by the Rev. Carmine Centineo, pastor of the Washburn Baptist Church, and the charge to the church by Lewis Libby of the Bethany Baptist Church. The Rev. Edward Carter of the Carter Gospel Team delivered the ordination sermon and Mrs. Carter rendered special organ and vocal music.

Trophy recipients — Henrietta Morris, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Morris of Masardis, a freshman at Ashland Community High School, was high point scorer for girls’ events at the Ashland Community High School Winter Carnival and was awarded a trophy. Michael Sutherland, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Sutherland of Ashland, a freshman, received the high point trophy in the boys’ events. The trophies were presented by Robert Sirois, the emcee at the carnival dance, held Feb. 13. 

25 Years Ago –  Feb. 21, 1996

Presque Isle deputy recognized — Sheriff Deputy Norman Dube, Presque Isle, received recognition for his work during the Jan. 19 arson and theft investigation of the Grant Memorial Methodist Church in Presque Isle. According to a letter of commendation written to Sheriff Ted St. Pierre by Presque Isle Police Chief James Ferland, Dube was called to the scene of a burglary and suspicious fire at the Advent Christian Church in Mapleton on the same date. Ferland wrote that throughout the day Dube worked in cooperation with State Police, the Presque Isle Police Department and the Fire Marshal.

Homeless donation — Amanda Allen from the St. Mary’s Youth Ministry presented a $150 check to Brenda Smith, executive director for the Temporary Shelter for the Homeless in the presence of Twink Derosier, director of the Catholic Youth Ministry. The church group donated a part of its proceeds from a recent fun-raising event in which members spent a night outdoors in cardboard boxes in order to learn more about homelessness.

Donations received — Mars Hill IGA, Smythe’s IGA, Graves Shop ‘N Save and Nightingale Farms made donations of food for use at the Ronald McDonald House in Bangor. Several area families with children in the Bangor hospitals have thankfully utilized the services offered by the house. The Ronald McDonald house is an oasis that families can turn to when they have other things on their mind.