100 Years Ago – Feb. 15, 1923
Entertainment at the parsonage — Mrs. G. L. Pressey entertained the C. I. C. at the parsonage Saturday afternoon, Feb. 10. An oyster supper was enjoyed by the class. AFter supper, the following officers were elected: President, Nedra Pierce; Vice President, Goldie Rees; Secretary, Annie Dillen; Treasurer, Laura Garrison.
Class moto: “In a corner, but nor cornered.” Committees: Sick—Roberta Syphers, Fern Ryder. Mildred Sweat; Entertainment: Mina Lang, Dora Garrison, Alice Lang, Ivy Pratt, Annie Dillen; Refreshments: Nedra Pierce, Roberta Syphers, Mildred Sweet, Dora Garrison, Fern Ryder.
75 Years Ago – Feb. 12, 1948
Hussey writing for The Star-Herald — Wes Hussey, Aroostook State Normal school athlete, joined the staff of The Star-Herald as a sports writer. He succeeded Bert Rafford, who left to enter the University of Maine. Hussey, a second year student at the Normal school, was a World War II veteran, serving overseas in the Navy. He was a graduate of Presque Isle High school, where he starred in basketball and baseball, and had been an outstanding performer in Tom Corrigan’s teams at A. S. N. S. for the previous two years. Hussey wrote weekly columns of sports comment in addition to reporting school and semi-pro sports news.
Oil still tight — Some local fuel oil dealers received partial relief from the critical shortage, when they were allotted small increases over the previously assigned February quotas, but a spokesman for the local industry committee warned that the oil supply situation was still tight and continuous conservation was necessary to make available supplies meet all essential needs. “We can get through this critical shortage,” he said, “but only if everyone cooperates fully by conserving oil in every possible way.” He stated that a number of local residents had converted to coal or wood for heating and cooking in order to make oil available to those who were unable to convert to other fuels.
50 Years Ago – Feb. 14, 1973
J-P Cash Market — The J-P Cash Market on North Main Street, Presque Isle, operated by Mr. and Mrs. Kilburn Pelkey, parents of the owner J. Percy Pelkey, opened its doors to feature groceries and laundry items to the public. The owner had been in the new and used car business about 12 years and in 1973, he also dealt in mobile homes, campers and snowmobiles.
Norman Cooney attained MS in engineering — A Presque Isle man was one of 369 candidates for masters and doctorate degrees at Purdue University at the end of the first semester. Norman R. Cooney completed work for his Masters of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering in December. The mid-year graduate, along with those who completed work toward degrees the previous summer, were eligible to participate in Purdue’s 121st commencement along with the June graduates.
Gagnon attained recognition of performance — L. Gene Gagnon Jr. was honored by the Prudential Insurance Company for his $1,100,000 performance for 1972. Gagnon and his wife, Claudette, attended the Prudential Regional Business Conference at Great Gorge, N.J. He was a native of Fort Kent and serviced the Mars Hill, Blaine and Easton areas for the company. He was also qualified for the Prudential Honor Club for selling a million dollars of insurance.
25 Years Ago – Feb. 18, 1998
Lady Panthers captured the Aroostook County title — Jaime Alexander scored 20 points and Andrea Lunn added 11 as Central Aroostook captured the Class D Aroostook League Championship with a 60-45 victory over Fort Fairfield. The Lady Panthers led by just four points at halftime, but increased the lead gradually throughout the rest of the game. Substitutes for both teams saw plenty of action in the non-countable contest, which was played at Presque Isle High School. Sarah Nason and Kathy Russell scored 10 points each for Fort Fairfield.
Ayoob was named Citizen of the Year — Larry Ayoob was honored by the Fort Fairfield Chamber of Commerce as the town’s citizen of the year. Ayoob was chosen by the membership of the Fort Fairfield Chamber of Commerce “because he had given a countless number of years and time to the community,” said Cheryl Boulier, director of the chamber. Ayoob was born and raised in Fort Fairfield, graduating from its high school in 1952. He became an attorney in 1962 and practiced in Waterville for six years. In 1968, he returned to Fort Fairfield to continue his practice and had been there ever since. Ayoob said he was surprised and amazed with the award. He said he had no idea why he was chosen.
Trophy winners — Winning trophies for their efforts in Washburn Elementary School’s Jump Rope for Heart program were Ethan Doody, Amber Palmer, Christina Constant, Trevor Thibodeau and Chritine Myshrall.
Contest winners — Washburn Elementary School students who were winners of the bookmark contest were Evan Sperrey, Abbey Wardwell, Elizabeth Gagnon, Kelsee McLaughlin, Anna Bartlett, Sara Davis and Nolan Gagnon.
