Caribou area From our Files – Week of December 20, 2023

4 months ago

115 Years Ago – Dec. 17, 1908

Returned from convention — Arthur Smalley returned Tuesday night from New Orleans, La., where he had been a delegate to the annual convention of the International Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees.

More room for displays — H. O. Spencer, the jeweler, has placed another fine show-case in his store, he’s finding it necessary on account of lack of room to properly display his large stock of goods.

100 Years Ago – Dec. 20, 1923

Home from Japan — Miss Grace Denton, who has been engaged for the past four years in missionary work in Japan, has returned to this country and is now visiting a sister in Boston before returning to her home in Caribou. Miss Denton has many friends in this town who will be glad to welcome her home.

75 Years Ago – Dec. 16, 1948

Caribou girl wins 4-H trip to U. of M. — Phyllis Greenier, a member of the Merry Workers 4-H Club was notified yesterday by her leader, Mrs. Earl Blackstone, that she won a 3 day trip to the annual State 4-H Club Camp at the University of Maine, Orono to be held December 28-30. Miss Greenier, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Greenier, Washburn Road, won the recognition for excellency in her club work. This past year her projects have been on dairy calf, cooking and housekeeping.

Two skating rinks to open soon — Lloyd Pound, Caribou Recreation director, said Wednesday that if weather conditions remain favorable it is expected that two ice skating rinks will be in operation before Christmas. The rinks this year will be operated at Bridge street grounds and at the Trotting park. Crews have been busy at both places erecting lights and public address systems. Flooding of the rinks has already started. 

25 Years Ago – Dec. 23, 1998

City wins award for workplace safety — The city of Caribou has been honored for workplace safety. Caribou was one of 12 Leader Program award winners for 1998. There are 78 participants in the group. The savings will allow municipalities to save $200,000 in workers’ compensation premiums. Nate Randolph of the Caribou Fire and Ambulance Department is the chairman of the city-wide safety committee. In 1996 there were 20 workers compensation claims. That number was reduced to 9 in 1998, of those, none were substantial. 

Gingerbread houses get special attention at annual Christmas event — With excitement in her voice, Evonne Highley from Orlando, Fla. spoke about the 10th annual gingerbread decorating event held Friday night at the Caribou Recreation Department. Highley and her family were one of many local families that braved the cold to make a gingerbread house, get a balloon from the Anna Temple Shriner Clowns and listen to the Caribou High School band and chorus play and sing Christmas carols. Thanks to Donna Thomas, an employee at Sleeper’s Store in Caribou, 300 gingerbread houses were erected on tables at the Caribou Rec Department ready for area children, and adults, to decorate.