Caribou area From our Files – Week of January 3, 2024

4 months ago

120 Years Ago – Jan. 7, 1904

Company does very well this season — The Geo. O. Goodwin Company of Woodland has already shipped two car loads of canned peas this winter and have more to ship. Last season was this company’s first year in this industry. They had 42 acres planted to peas, but their product has found such a ready market that they propose next year to engage in the raising and canning much more extensively.

Record temperatures — The following is the record of the weather during the past week as registered by the thermometer at the pumping station at six o’clock each morning: Friday, 8° below zero; Saturday, 24° below; Sunday, 12 ° below; Monday, 22° below; Tuesday, 14° below; Wednesday, 7° below; Thursday, 4° below. The past 13 days have been remarkable for the continued extreme cold, the thermometer registering below zero every morning during that time.

115 Years Ago – Jan. 7, 1909

Four eclipses this year — In the year 1909 there will be two eclipses of the sun and two of the moon. There will be a total eclipse of the moon on June 3, partly visible here. On June 17, there will be a central eclipse of the sun, visible here as partial eclipse, the sun setting eclipsed. On November 27 there will be a total eclipse of the moon, visible in the United States. There will be a partial eclipse of the sun on December 12, invisible here, but visible to a large area around the South Pole.

Great crowds at the opera house — Notwithstanding there was a counter attraction in the opera house every night last week, the  crowds at Dreamland Theater were not diminished, but rather larger than usual, Saturday night, ‘standing room only’ not being obtainable, ‘Hindoo Sam,’ the magician and fire eater, proved a big drawing card; and well he might, for he performed some very clever tricks.

100 Years Ago – Jan. 3, 1924

Newly appointed — Miss Eva W. Seates of Fort Fairfield has been appointed agent of the Aroostook branch of the New England Home for Little Wanderers with headquarters in Caribou. Miss Seates has had special training in social work, and has had much experience with school children. The board of directors of the New England Home for Little Wanderers feel they are fortunate indeed to have secured the services of a person as admirably fitted for the position as is Miss Seates.

Away for Christmas — Mr. and Mrs. John McElwain and daughters, Geneva and Florence, spent Christmas with Dr. and Mrs. A. H. Prescott in Woodstock, N.B.. They left on December 24 and returned on December 26, making the trip by automobile, which is remarkable at this time of year. They found the roads in excellent condition and made pretty good time.

75 Years Ago – Jan. 6, 1949

Announce opening date and program of New Sweden Winter Carnival — The New Sweden Winter Carnival will be revived this year under the sponsorship of the New Sweden Recreation Canteen, it has been announced by Alwin Espling, president of the center and Carnival. The first to be held in a number of years. The carnival will be held February 12.

Select Mal Hallett’s return for annual Carnival dances — As in former years, the Caribou Winter Carnival will bring a named band this year to provide music for its dances. Mal Hallett and his orchestra, who at two former carnivals pleased the dancing public, have again been chosen to play at the 1949 event to be held February 18 and 19 at the high school gymnasium. Hallett is often mentioned as one of the greatest entertainment masters of modern day whose fine music in the melodic manner has made him one of the top-notched leaders for many years.

25 Years Ago – Jan. 6, 1999

Received the HMR Gold Standard Certificate for Achievement — For the second time this year, Pines Lifestyle Changes, was designated as a recipient of the HMR Gold Standard Certificate for Achievement. This award distinguishes Pines Lifestyle Changes from clinics nationwide, whose program for weight loss developed by Health Management Resources (HMR), a national health care company. The staff members are: Nancy Holabird, LPN; Dawn Poitras, Director; Lynn Briggs, PA-C; Rachel Michaud, Health Educator; Joyanna Deschaine, LPN/Health Educator; Tamara Blades, Health Educator/Certified Personal Trainer and Judy Gould, Health Educator.

Caribou residents donate land for cemetery  — Land has been donated for the proposed veterans cemetery in Aroostook County. John and Joyce Noble of Caribou have offered about 50 acres on the Washburn Road. With a population of about 9,000 veterans in Aroostook County, Maine Veterans’ Services Officer Maurice D. Lizotte said the maximum occupancy for the cemetery would be 18,000 because veterans’ spouses can be buried with them.