100 Years Ago – April 12, 1923
Potato shipments were heavy during March — With the single exception of the previous season, March was the heaviest in the shipment of Aroostook potatoes during the previous ten years, it was announced at the local Bangor & Aroostook office.
Shipments during March and February had brought the season’s total up to 70 percent, of 1921-1922, which was a bumpy year. Previous to the last two months, the season’s shipment equaled from 6- to 65 percent of the previous year. The Bangor & Aroostook railroad hauled 2,553 cars of potatoes during the month, which recorded shipment of 1,885,794 busheels. In March of 1922, shipments totaled 2,537,689 bushels in 3,393 cars.
75 Years Ago – April 8, 1948
Red Cross drive — Roy E. Duff announced that as of April 6, the total amount collected for the Fund Campaign of the Central Aroostook Chapter of the American Red Cross was $4,372.85. This was 43 percent of the quota which was $10,130.00. The campaign was extended into the month of April in the hope that it will be completed by the end of the week.
Brutus Scot in $5,000 feature of raceway opening — Nemie Green, Presque Isle harness horse enthusiast, nominated his fast trotter, Brutus Scot, in the $5,000 Westbury trot, feature event of the opening night of the 1948 harness racing season at Roosevelt Raceway, Westbury, N.Y., according to an announcement made by the race secretary Walter Gibbons. Brutus Scot had a trotting mark of 2.06 and was one of the favorites at Roosevelt the previous year.
Eastern Maine Champs — The Mooseleuk club bowlers who broke three individual records and captured five of the seven awards offered in winning the 26th annual Eastern Maine Bowling League tournament were Henry Gagnon, Stan Taylor, Buddy Marsh, Ernest Bragdon, LeRoy Brown and Bill Hanscom.
50 Years Ago – April 11, 1973
Shea appointed as NNB ditector — The Board of Directors of the Northern National Bank announced that Gerald Shea had been appointed a director to replace Harold L. Downing, who had submitted his resignation. Downing was appointed an honorary director. Shea, a native of Presque Isle, formerly owned and operated franchised automobile dealerships in Ashland and Presque Isle successively. He owned and operated The Shea Realty Company in Presque Isle. Mr. Shea was president of The Shea Company, a firm that distributed Texaco products throughout Northern Maine. He was director of the Presque Isle Hotel Company, a trustee of the Turner Memorial Library, a member of the Board of Directors of the Maine Hospital Association, a member of the Presque Isle Rotary Club and commissioner of the Presque Isle Housing Authority.
The Star City team won — The Presque Isle Recreational Boys Basketball team traveled to Caribou April 7, to participate in the first annual 4th, 5th and 6th grade Recreation Basketball Tournament. Although the local consisted of only five members, they came home the tournament winners. The first game saw Presque Isle beat Caribou 51-29; Tim Olore 25 points, Steve Thompson 18. The second game saw Houlton down East Millinocket. Caribou’s five came from behind to beat East Millinocket 37-34 in the consolation game. The championship game, close and well played for three periods, saw Presque Isle score 11 points, allowing Houlton two, in the fourth and gaining a 35-22 victory. Thompson and Tom Gagnon each had 13 with Olore, Kevin Frazier and John Young scoring 6, 2 and 1 respectively.
25 Years Ago – April 15, 1998
Chamber honored Business of the Year — Maine Mutual Fire Insurance was honored as Business of the Year at the Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting. Also honored were Sharlene Smith as Board Member of the Year, and Richard and Sandy Guerrette as Outstanding Volunteers of the Year. Larry Shaw, chief executive officer of Maine Mutual, accepted the award, calling it “truly an honor.” Business of the Year is awarded to a company based on the number of years in business, the impact the company has on the community and how the company’s employees impact the community. Shaw credited his employees for their volunteer work in the community. “They’re truly a great bunch, “ he said.
Teacher honored for DARE work — Mapleton Elementary School Principal Gail Gibson was named the DARE Educator of the Year by the Maine DARE Officers Association. Gibson was honored at the association’s conference in Portland. Gibson was the first winner of the state-wide award from Aroostook County. She also taught fifth grade at the local school. Gibson was nominated by Presque Isle Police and DARE Officer Tim McCue. McCue had been the local DARE officer for six years and said Gibson “has been a mentor for me since I began working in the classroom.”
Employee wellness — Maine Mutual Fire Insurance Company hosted a health fair with Horizons Occupational Health and Wellness Services for its Presque Isle employees. The day-long health fair was a kick-off to an ongoing Lunch and Learn series. Screenings included health risk appraisals, blood pressures and body fat analysis. Presentations covered stress management, nutrition and smoking cessation. Horizons staff providing services were Lisa Theriault, family nurse practitioner, Beth Findlen, registered nurse and manager of Horizons Occupation Health services and Jill Boyd, CTRS, Horizons Wellness coordinator.
