Presque Isle area From our Files – Week of April 27, 2022

2 years ago

75 Years Ago – April 24, 1947

Easton, Ashland speakers won in league contest — Ashland High school won the team prize in the Aroostook Central League speaking contest at Easton, while Irene Fuller of Easton High School won individual honors. Miss Fuller’s selection was “Rebecca.” Mary Ann Wright of Ashland, reading “Little Duv,” won second prize, and Mildred Aleff, also of Ashland, placed third with “Ma at the P.T.A.” Other schools competing were Bridgewater Academy and Limestone and Mapleton high schools. Each school was represented by two speakers. The program also included two solos by Helen Benn, Easton High School senior, with Mrs. J. Victor Hoyt as accompanist. The contest was held at the Easton Baptist Church. Judges were Miss Joyce Stitham and John White, both of Mars Hill, and Principal Franklin S. Cunningham of Presque Isle High School. 

G.E. Vincent elected hospital administrator — G.E. Vincent, assistant treasurer and superintendent of a hospital in Watertown, N.Y., was appointed administrator of the Presque Isle General Hospital to succeed Fred J. Loase, who resigned several weeks prior, L. H. Alline, president of the hospital board announced. The new administrator had eight years experience in hospital administration. 

50 Years Ago – April 26, 1972

150th noted by Society— The Maine Historical Society celebrated its 150th anniversary April 22 at a special meeting held at the First Parish Church in Portland. It was in Portland that the society held its first meeting April 11, 1822. Over 250 members and guests from all parts of the state attended the observance, which included a reception at the Wadsworth-Longfellow House and a special exhibit in the society’s library at 485 Congress Street. Dr. Clifford K. Shipton, director emeritus of the American Antiquarian Society was guest speaker for the occasion. Roger B. Ray of Cape Elizabeth, president of the society, introduced the speaker and took the opportunity to announce the appointment of a 150th Anniversary Fund Committee to raise funds for enlarging the capacity of the society’s library by one-third. Miss Elizabeth Ring of Portland, vice president of the society, was named Chairman of the committee.

Initiated into PSI Chapter — Dana J. Hunter Jr. of Presque Isle, was initiated into the Psi Chapter of Rho Chi Honor Society, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, at the annual banquet April 11. The Rho Chi Society was established in 1908 as a local honor society in the College of Pharmacy of the University of Michigan. In 1922, the society became a national organization with chapters in most of the 76 colleges of pharmacy in the United States. Membership is restricted to upper classmen of outstanding scholarship.

R. Soucier was named to a new position — John H. Miles, manager of Suburban Propane’s Presque Isle district office, announced the promotion of Richard Soucier to the position of service manager. Soucier had been employed and affiliated with Suburban Propane and their dealer organization for the previous thirteen years. Before his promotion to service manager, Soucier was involved with delivery, service, both retail and industrial sales, and was an employee in charge of a satellite operation in the Island Falls area. A lifelong resident of Aroostook County and born at Presque Isle, he resided in Washburn, married with two sons.

25 Years Ago – April 23, 1997

United Way collected $260,157 — United Way of Aroostook raised a record-breaking $260,157 for the 1996-97 campaign. At the annual meeting and awards presentation, dozens of County businesses were recognized for their efforts in increasing giving. Alan Dunn of Fort Fairfield, serving as president, thanked all donors for their continued support. In an unusual move, a board member was announced as the recipient of the Volunteer of the Year award. Robert Tardiff of Caribou, co-chair of the Agency Relations and Fund Distributions Committee along with Freeman Corey, was lauded for the ‘above and beyond’ contributions in tireless efforts. 

Fort Fairfield Medical Assistant earned certification — Tanya McCausland, CMA, earned the prestigious Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential by passing the January 1997 American Association of Medical Assistants’ Certification Examination. McCausland, a graduate of the medical assisting program at Husson College in Bangor, was employed by Pines Health Services in Caribou. The certification examination, administered by AAMA’s Certifying Board, tested clinical and administrative knowledge needed for competent medical assisting practice. Although medical assistants are employed in a wide range of health care delivery settings, medical assistants are the only allied health practitioners trained specifically for the physician’s office.