Caribou area From our Files – Week of November 15, 2023

6 months ago

115 Years Ago – Nov. 12, 1908

Taking an automobile trip — A. W. Spaulding and his chauffeur, Walter Yates, started Sunday afternoon on an automobile trip to Portland, where Mr. Spaulding will have his car, a Thomas Flyer, newly painted.

A quick change of the weather — Great is the diversity of climate in Aroostook, and great is the courage of some of its rising generation. Two weeks ago last Friday, October 30, some three or four young boys in Maysville, with more enthusiasm for a ‘good swim’ than judgment for their health, took advantage of the day and went bathing in a pond in that neighborhood. Presto! Two weeks later this same pond was frozen over and these same boys were gliding over its glassy surface.

100 Years Ago – Nov. 15, 1923

Successful sale for library — A very successful food sale was conducted at the public library Friday, Nov. 9, by a committee from the Woman’s Literary Club. The proceeds of $90 were realized for a library benefit. The librarians also conducted a homemade candy sale at the same hour and proceeds of $15 were realized, making a net amount of $105 received from the sales.

Changes being made — The old Collins House building will soon be changed in many ways – part of the front removed entirely, the rear building moved out to the street to take the place of the part removed, a fire proof roof placed on the whole structure and general changes and improvements made. H. G. Richards & Son will doubtless occupy the western front for their automobile business. Although many applicants for a rent in the building have been received, no part of it has yet been let. H. G. Richards & Son are now having some work done on the building preparatory to the  main job, which may be let out entirely. The building is still owned by H. G. Richards & Sons and Charles Gabriel. All are glad to see the necessary changes made on these buildings.

75 Years Ago – Nov. 11 1948

Serves 25 years with the company — A quarter century with the same company is a record for many men to hold. And in Caribou, J. J. Howlett makes a claim of such service with the J. C. Penney Company, spending almost all that time as an active resident of town while managing the store and placing it among the leading merchandising establishments of the community and county.  Last Saturday, Howlett observed his 20th year here as the Penny manager and his 25th year in association with the company. He transferred to Caribou from a Washington store and was appointed manager of that store and has remained here ever since.

Caribou man to observe 98th birthday — Open house will be declared at the residence of John L. Brown in Caribou on Sunday in honor of his father, Gilbert M Brown who will be 98 years old on November 22. Gilbert Brown, even at his advanced age, is still very alert and spry. This fall during the potato harvest he did his bit by helping in the field taking vines away from behind the digger. He still insists on making his weekly trip to Caribou village to get his barbershop shave. Born in the Parish of Kent, New Brunswick, in 1850, Brown moved to Fort Fairfield when 18. After working there for eight years he moved to Caribou where he purchased a farm. Brown attributes his long life to the abstinence of alcohol and tobacco and has had very few sick days.

25 Years Ago – Nov. 18, 1998

Generous donation — Wilfred LeVasseur, commander of the VFW Lister-Knowlton Post 9389, presents Kathy Mazzuchelli, director of the Caribou Parks and Recreation Department, with a donation to support Caribou’s community-wide Halloween Party. The local VFW and VFW Auxiliary have supported the activity for more than a decade, according to Mazzuchelli.Old but good books get a facelift — Students at the Caribou Middle School are designing new book covers to make the unattractive books more attractive. Students in Ruth Dionne’s and Sue White’s classes are working on the covers. Eighth grade students who worked on the project were: Dan Campbell, Jenna Dicey, Stevie Dobson, Danny Bell, Brian Genthner, and John Ouellette. Fifth graders who worked on the project: Eamonn Harrigan, Nichole Harris, Colby Doody, Amanda Greenfield, Daniel Robertson and Ashley Bordon.