99 Years Ago – Jan. 8, 1925
Awards at pianoforte recital — Mrs. Philip Magill conducted a delightful pianoforte recital December 30 at the home of Mrs. G. A. Dexter, Main Street, when her pupils acquitted themselves with much credit. A pleasant feature of the affair was the awarding of prizes to the pupil who had the best lessons, who did not miss a lesson and who practiced the largest number of hours. There was so nearly a tie between two of her pupils that she felt called upon to reward both of them, and those receiving the prizes, a five dollar gold piece each, were Louize Rand and Master Frederick Davis. This was a pretty pleasant surprise to them, although they had worked for it. Mrs. Magill’s spirit and generosity were much appreciated by those who were interested. She had a fine class and a very progressive one.
50 Years Ago – Jan. 9, 1974
Receiving medal — Air Force Brigadier General William C. Fullilove placed a Meritorious Service Medal on the uniform of Chief Master Sergeant John H. Nightingale, stationed at McClellan AFB, California. The son of Mrs. Roy Nightingale of Presque Isle, the sergeant was cited for “outstanding duty performance” as chief of the pay and travel branch and as deputy accounting and finance officer for the 824th Combat Support Group at Kadena AB, Okinawa. Nightingale was a 1946 graduate of Presque Isle High School.
Reenlisted — Peter B. Smart, son of Mrs. Cecilia Smart of Mapleton, reenlisted in the United States Marine Corps Dec. 28. Smart was sworn in by Marine Gy. Sgt. Robert Derosby of the Presque Isle recruiting station, and he was reappointed to the rank of corporal and returned to Marine Corps air station, El Toro, California. Reenlisting for two years, Smart chose retraining in the supply administrative field.
Presque Isle native earned Doctorate — Willis J. Tompkins Jr., the son of Mr. and Mrs. Willis Tompkins Sr. of Presque Isle, a 1959 graduate of Presque Isle High School, received the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Biomedical Electronic Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Tompkins received his Bachelor and Master of Science Degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Maine in Orono in 1963 and 1965. He was subsequently employed as an electronics engineer by Sanders Associates, Inc., in Hashua, N.H. until 1968.
25 Years Ago – Jan. 13, 1999
Food donation — Students at Cunningham Middle School donated about 2,429 pounds of non-perishable food to the Sister Mary O’Donnell Shelter in Presque Isle. The donation was part of a competition organized by the school’s student council.
MAC honored a pair of UMPI players — The University of Maine at Presque Isle men’s basketball players Matt Townsend andMike Rodriquez received weekly honors from the Maine Athletic Conference. Townsend, a junior from Blaine, was named Webber Energy player of the week by averaging 27 points in a pair of victories over the University of Prince Edward Island Jan. 2 and 3. Rodriquez, a freshman from San Antonio, Texas, was the Webber rookie of the week after averaging 10 ppg and 3 rebounds per game in the two wins.
$525 donation — Linda Senechal, owner of Cozy Corner II in The Aroostook Centre Mall, presented a check for $525 to Suzanne Jandreau, coordinator for the local Center for Women, Work and Community. The money was raised from a drawing for three Beanie Babies. The agency assists women in small business training, employment and leadership skills. The winner of the Beanie Babies was Mike Ireland of Easton.
