Presque Isle area From our Files – Week of November 20, 2024

Compiled by Yvonne Tardie, Special to The County
3 weeks ago

99 Years Ago – November 19, 1925

Farmer’s record was worth considering — The record of this Corinth farmer F. H. Leonard looked small to some Aroostook farmers in the 1925 year of grace, but it was worth considering. Leonard had finished threshing an 18-acre crop of beans. This bean crop of 364 bushels, sold at $6 a bushel, and meant a return of $2,184; the corn crop yielded 11 tons netting $310. Then, he had nine bags, weighing 2,100 lbs., $361. These items, with what the cows produced, brought the income up to $3,600. This was a fair sample of Southern Maine mixed farming.

50 Years Ago – November 20, 1974

Three longtime insurance company employees honored — Three employees of Maine Mutual Group Insurance Company, having a combined service time of 126 years, were honored by the company directors and employees at a party Oct. 30. Honored at the affair were Miss Florence Bibber who had been with the company more than 50 years, Mrs. Phyllis Ward who had put in some 40 years, and Philip McGlauflin who had been with Maine Mutual for 28 years. Miss Bibber, a Maine Mutual assistant secretary treasurer, joined the Maine Mutual Fire Insurance Company in Lisbon Falls on Oct. 5, 1920, and worked there, living in Auburn, until the office was moved to Presque Isle in 1961. She served as president of the Insurance Women of Southern Maine and also the Aroostook County association of Insurance Women. Phyllis Ward, also an assistant secretary treasurer and a graduate of Bryant Stratton Business College, joined the Aroostook Mutual Fire Insurance Company and Northern Maine Patrons Fire Insurance Company in 1930. These companies were merged into the United Mutual in 1930. Mrs. Ward was a member and past president of the Aroostook County Association of Insurance Women, a member of the Presque Isle Congregational Church, a past matron and member of Lunar Chapter Order of Eastern star. S. Philip McGlauflin, a native of Presque Isle, started his insurance career as an agent in 1932. He operated an independent agency until World War II. He joined the insurance companies as an inspector in 1946 after a brief wartime stint as a foreman at the Presque Isle Strategic Air Command Base.

Presque Isle woman appointed Aroostook Health Services Development assistant — Marie Welsh, a native of Monson, was appointed health planning assistant of Aroostook Health Services Development, Inc., announced by Ronald D. Warner, executive director. Mrs. Welsh, a graduate of Bates College, Lewiston, brought with her six years of health-related experience as a social worker with the Maine Department of Health and Welfare, Lewiston; teacher with the school system in Lisbon and Dover Foxcroft; and activities director of Caribou Nursing Home, Caribou.

25 Years Ago – November 24, 1999

Caron business added new owners — Scott Caron and David J. Caron Sr. welcomed Chad Caron and Dave Caron Jr. on board as new owners of Caron’s Lawn and Property Maintenance Inc. Chad Caron, a former Toro Wheelhorse business manager, brought to the Caron business six years experience in management and an expertise in lawn care, maintenance and equipment. His duties included managing and overseeing the Lawn Care and Mowing Division. Dave Caron Jr. was the new office manager, managing and supervising the business with his administrative and accounting skills. Scott Caron’s duties included managing the Landscape, Aquascape and Hardscape Division, which included a landscape designer and computerized equipment.

Richard at helm of United Way campaign once again — Stephen D. Richard, Executive Director of the Central Aroostook Association for Retarded Citizens, was appointed by the Board of Directors of the United Way of Aroostook to serve as chairman for the 1999-2000 United Way Fundraising Campaign. Richard was the campaign chairman for the 1998-1999 campaign and was very successful. The United Way Board also set the year’s campaign goal at $325,000. The previous year’s campaign raised over $358,000. The campaign’s official kick-off event was the Maine Mutual-United Way Scramble Golf Tournament that was played September 11 at the Aroostook Valley Country club in Fort Fairfield. The tournament raised over $23,700. 

FFA national convention — Andrea Millett of the Maine State FFA association met with sponsor representative Dan Durheim, Assistant Director of Special Programs of the American Farm Bureau Federation. Millett was one of 50 state winners participating in the National FFA Extemporaneous Public Speaking Career Development Event at the 72nd National FFA Convention. She was accompanied by advisor Jannett Perry of Ashland.