75 Years Ago – November 27, 1947
Anderson boosted the 1948 potato goal — An increase of 5 percent over 1947 potato acreage was among Secretary of Agriculture Clinton Anderson’s 1948 farm production goals. Although the emphasis in 1948 goals was on grains, both bread grains and livestock feed, the broad program for the coming year called for continuation of high wartime levels of farm production.
Anderson said that underlying the high goals was a recognition of the world need for food and this nation’s high domestic consumption. “Today more than ever,” he said, “United States production is a key factor in world recovery.”
Teachers elected at annual County Convention — Albert A. Cyr, principal of Madawaska High School, was elected president of the Aroostook County Teachers Association at its annual meeting here in this city. Cyr succeeded Mrs. Eva Zippel of Presque Isle, who had headed the association for the previous year. Other officers elected were: Superintendent William Jenkins, Fort Fairfield, vice president; Mrs. Richard Crocker, Fort Kent, secretary; William Hanscom, Presque Isle, treasurer; and Miss Mildred Hatch, Caribou, member of the executive committee for three years.
50 Years Ago – November 29, 1972
Elected ABC 4-H president — Sandra Allen was elected president of the ABC Workers 4-H Club during their first meeting of the new year held Nov. 17 at the home of Mrs. Don James, leader. Donna Park was selected for vice president while Linda James was elected secretary. Other officers included Sara Sue Knight, treasurer; Jeanna Beaulieu, reporter; Sylvia Sykora, safety leader; Linda Park, health leader. Billy-Jo Chase and Leslie Pendexter served as flag bearers. Junior leaders for the club included Sandra Allen, Jeanna Beaulieu, Linda James, Susan Sykora and Linda Park.
Miss Martin was initiated — Initiated into Phi Mu Sorority at the University of Maine at Portland-Gorham on Nov. 18 was Miss Rolande Martin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fernand Martin of Presque Isle. Miss Martin was a junior in the school of education at UMPG and was a member of the campus radio staff.
25 Years Ago – November 26, 1997
Local florist honored — Karen Soucier, owner of Cook Florist Inc., was presented with a 50th anniversary award by Ann Jordan of Sebago Gardens in Windham during a meeting in Bangor. Cook Florist had been a member of FTD since 1947 when the owners, Sid and Edna Cook, joined the prestigious flowers-by-wire service. At that time, flower orders were sent via Western Union telegrams and with time, they were sent by a computer through a network based in Illinois. Cook Florist is the oldest flower shop in Presque Isle. Karen is the third-generation florist in the shop.
Agriscience teacher honored — A lot of people had some nice things to say about Ray Chelewski, chairman of the Agriscience Program at Presque Isle High School. They called him dedicated, an inspiration and innovative. He was credited with the revival of the high school’s agriscience program and its subsequent growth to 150 students. And everyone agreed, he’s just an all-around nice guy. A 24-year teacher, Chelewski arrived in Presque Isle in 1989. He was recruited from the Raton, New Mexico, school system where he led a national-award-winning wildlife biology department that included a wildlife rehabilitation program. He had 180 students involved in that program in a high school with a student population of 400. Prior to New Mexico, he taught agribusiness at an urban vocational education high school in Denver, Colorado, for seven years.
