99 Years Ago – October 15, 1925
Judge Barens appointed a temporary receiver — Judge Charles P. Barnes, of the Maine Supreme Court, appointed H. Merritt Cunningham temporary receiver for each of the five warehousing corporations of the Maine Potato Growers’ Exchange. The first meeting of the creditors was appointed to be at the Courthouse in Houlton Monday morning when the matter of appointing a permanent receiver was to be considered.
50 Years Ago – October 16, 1974
Seed board hired Plant Pathologist — An Aroostook County native was appointed to fill the newly created position of Plant Pathologist for the Maine Seed Potato Board of the Maine Department of Agriculture. David F. Hammond of Hightstown, N.J., son of Mr. and Mrs. Merlin Hammond, a retired potato farmer of Houlton, was named by Commissioner Maynard C. Dolloff, who was also chairman of the Seed Potato Board, to this office which was designed to develop programs for the production of disease-free potatoes. Hammond was assigned to planning a facility and program to further refine the seed improvement program at the Porter Farm in Masardis, Monetary assistance made available by the Maine Potato Commission was partially responsible for the decision to create this important post in the State’s seed potato program.
Roland Andrews honored — A dedication and open house was held for Andrews Hall at Northern Maine Vocational Technical Institute in Presque Isle. Gov. Kenneth M. Curtis gave the dedication address. Ceremonies were held at the NMVTI gymnasium. Andrews Hall was named and dedicated in honor of Roland B. Andrews, a longtime educator in the state and superintendent of schools in Presque Isle and later MSAD 1 for 25 years before retiring in 1968. State-wide, he was noted as one of the ablest of all school administrators. Mainly through his efforts, the first regional technical vocational program in Aroostook County was established at Presque Isle High School. He was also particularly active in adapting agricultural programs in the schools to the needs of the students and adults in the county, and he was instrumental in the establishment of NMVTI.
25 Years Ago – October 20, 1999
Westfield native returned with jazz quintet — Trombonist Phil Yaeger graduated from Presque Isle High School five years prior, and left the area to attend William Paterson University, with hopes of becoming a jazz musician in New York City. In mid October, he returned to the area with his group, the Rochat-Felix Quintet, for a series of concerts and clinics in the SAD #1 school district sponsored by Greenroom Music and the Presque Isle Music Boosters. The Quintet (consisting of Claudio Rochat-Felix, drums; Terence Murren, bass; Dave Cinquegrana, guitar; Chris Cuzme, saxophone; and Phil Yaeger, trombone; had been together for more than a year, and performed regularly in New York City and the metro area. They had been repeatedly featured at both the Knitting Factory, and the Whitney Museum of American Art. They had self-produced and released one album.
Dorsey was presented with the 1999 Sam Walton Business Leader Award — The 1999 Sam Walton Business Leader Award was presented to David Dorsey, chief executive officer of First Citizens Bank in Presque Isle, for his outstanding leadership in the Presque Isle business community. Scott Cray, community relations director for Wal-Mart, presented the award to Dorsey. Mike Dunn, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce, was also on hand to accept a check for $500 which was given with the award.Business received an award — Cook Florist was given an award by the Presque Isle City Council for its community-minded signs in front of their shop on U.S. Route 1 in Presque Isle. The previous summer, many of the signs carried messages about recreation department activities and the need for safety and alertness aimed at drivers entering the city from the south.
