Presque Isle area From our Files – Week of August 31, 2022

2 years ago

75 Years Ago – Aug. 28, 1947

Nearly 190 at the second clinic — One hundred and eighty-seven children received a total of 426 doses of immunization at the second pre-school clinic held at the Community Recreation Center, Mrs. Louise Terrill, City Health Nurse, announced. Ninety-four were attending the clinic for the first time, and the remaining 93 had attended the first clinic in the series and returned for their second shots.

The total attendance at the two clinics was 322, with 726 immunization doses administered. The group receiving treatment included 28 infants, 98 pre-school children, and 61 of school age. Immunization doses included 60 smallpox vaccinations, 116 inoculations against diphtheria, 82 whooping cough, 35 typhoid, and 133 tetanus.

Biggest building boom since ’22 — The largest Presque Isle building boom in a quarter-century was underway during the summer, with 85 building permits issued by Building Inspector Walter Tefft thus far. Construction included 15 major commercial undertakings in addition to a large number of houses. Building permits issued in 1946 totalled 119, with repairs and renovations to existing buildings accounting for a large part of the total of both years 1946 and 1947.

50 Years Ago – Aug. 30, 1972

Joined PI optometry practice — Dr. Richard A. Graves, formerly of Presque Isle, entered the practice of optometry with Dr. Norman K. Varnum of Presque Isle. The son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard A. Graves and grandson of the late Dr. R. A. Graves, he graduated from Presque Isle High School and attended Mr. Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick, and Ricker College, Houlton, where he received a BA degree. After spending several months in Lima, Peru, he enrolled in Massachusetts College of Optometry in 1968 and obtained his bachelor of science and doctor of optometry degrees.

Winners named in the bike race — The results of the Big Rick Bike races were announced in Mars Hill, sponsored by the Mars Hill Motorcycle Club and Wendell Pierce. Winners in Class A, 0-125 cc; first, William Burr, Loring AFB; second, Reed Hopkinson, Fort Fairfield; third, Randy Shaw, Bridgewater; Class B, 125-250 cc, first, Larry Doody, Caribou; second, Vince Seimeca, Caribou; third, Lee Neureuther, Lisbon Fall. Class C winners for 250-400 cc, first, Jeff Hopkinson, Fort Fairfield; second, Michael Anger, Caribou; third, Lee Neureuther, Lisbon Falls; Class D open class; first, Jeff Hopkinson, Fort Fairfield; second, Michael Anger, Caribou; third, Larry Doody, Caribou. Mini bikes 0-70 cc showed, first Kevin Dee, Caribou; second, Jim Colson, Loring AFB; third, Gordon Page, Fort Fairfield. Powder PUff open class showed, first, Cathay hebert, Lisbon Falls; second, Judy LeVasseur, Fort Fairfield; third, Dawn Bartlett, Presque Isle.

25 Years Ago – Aug. 27, 1997

The County had a new DA — Aroostook County District Attorney Neale Adams announced that Rob A. Langner was the newly appointed assistant district attorney for The County. Langner accepted the position formerly held by Jon C. Gale, who was transferred to the York County District Attorney’s Office. He was a graduate of Pittsburg State College and a 1994 Suffolk University School of Law graduate. He was formerly associated with Lawrence D. Ayoob in Fort Fairfield. Adams said that Langner was employed full-time and he was to prosecute criminal cases in the Caribou District Court and Aroostook Superior Court.

Internet recognition — Maine Gov. Angus King presented The Aroostook Medical Center with the first-ever “Governor’s Award for Excellence in Telecommunications.” Steve Bowler, TAMC’s vice president of public information and Web publisher, accepted the award, a check for $1,250.

New roadway — Members of the Big 13 ATV Club and the Mapleton ATV Club joined forces to build a new roadway, designed to stop soil erosion on a bank leading to a river in Monticello. The project was organized by Brian Bronson of the Department of Conservation’s ATV Division. Participating in the project were Merle Cowperthwaite, Brian Bronson, Joel Carvel, Gene Cole, Troy Scott, John Good, Clayton Craig, Bob Rockwood, Galen Sylvester, Chris Craig and Brandon Craig.