100 Years Ago – June 21, 1923
Freight trains running only at night — Cancellation of all freight trains, except at night on the Ashland, Mapleton and Washburn branches of the railroad was announced by the Bangor & Aroostook Railroad.
This was to prevent the danger of locomotive sparks setting further fires in those sections. The dew during the night hours made train operation possible without danger, it was said. Passenger trains run on a regular schedule, there being less danger of sparks flying from their engines than from the hard working freight locomotives. The smokestacks of all the road’s engines were equipped with screens, it was said, while the crews had been instructed to use great precaution in caring for the ashpits.
75 Years Ago – June 17, 1948
Local VFW awarded community service plaque — Hayward-Frazier post received national recognition at the State V.F.W. convention in Lewiston when National Junior Vice Commander Clyde Lewis presented Commander Wilfred Saucier, on behalf of the post, a plaque recognizing Hayward-Frazier post for outstanding work in community service.
Washburn honored veteran teacher — Washburn residents honored Everett Cunningham, for the previous 25 years teacher of vocational agriculture in Washburn High school, when nearly 500 attended the annual alumni banquet and program Tuesday evening in observance of “Everett Cunningham Day.” A feature of the celebration was the presentation to the honored guest of a 1948 Oldsmobile four-door sedan, a gift from the town people. Harry Umphrey spoke on behalf of the community and presented the gift.
50 Years Ago – June 20, 1973
Chairwoman — Mrs. Edla Carlson of the Aroostook county Association of Insurance Women was chosen as the coordinating chairman for the 1973 New England Conference of the National Association of Insurance Women (International). The conference was scheduled at Squaw Mountain in Greenville. All Maine clubs affiliated with NAIW were the hosts. The theme of the conference was “Be With Me. in ’73.” Planning meetings had been held in Bangor.
Local manager recognized for performance — Darrell West, Presque Isle manager of The Singer Company, won a trip to Pocono Manor Inn and Country Club for his outstanding sales performance during the period of March and April of 1973. He joined Singer managers, district managers and regional executives at a Vice President’s Council. West, who had been with the Singer Company for 2 ½ years, had been manager of their Presque Isle office since 1972. Prior to that, he held other management positions with Singer. He was a resident of Presque Isle.
25 Years Ago – June 24, 1998
Ashland won the state title — Two teams which were beginning to wonder if they were ever going to play, finally did so Monday at Mansfield Complex, with the Ashland Hornets capturing their first Class D state championship in baseball by earning a 5-3 victory over Richmond. Trailing 3-1 entering its half of the third inning, Ashland scored twice to the score and took the lead an inning later with another two-run rally. After a shaky start, Hornet starter, Darren Belski, settled in and threw a no-hit, shutout ball over the final 4-2 ⁄ 3 innings to earn his third playoff victory of the season and eighth overall against no defeats.
Employees honored — Several employees at Northern Maine Technical College were honored for their length of service at the college during a luncheon. Those being honored for 25 years of service were, Richard West and Dennis Anderson, both of Presque Isle; honored for 20 years of service were Roger Crouse of Crouseville, Gary Soucie and Polly Goode, both of Presque Isle, Paul Rediker, John Johnston and Dennis Albert, all of Fort Fairfield; and Betsy Harris and Brian McQuade. Other employees were also honored for 15, 10 and five years of service.
Making a donation — Roger Hoffses helped to donate a personal mobility vehicle to the Work Activity Center in Presque Isle. Hoffses was given the vehicle by Horace Wilson of Augusta, a friend of Hoffses who died the previous winter in Florida. Hoffses had the chair transported from Florida and gave it to Pam Powers and Kathy Howlett, staff members at the Work Activity Center.
