99 Years Ago – January 14, 1926
Joseph Shippee, 69, champion fiddler of New England — The all New England fiddling championship crown rested on the furrowed brow of Joseph Shippee, 69 years old of Plainfield, Connecticut. He was proclaimed the winner of the oldtime fiddlers’ contest, in which a score of aspirants for title competed during the last three nights under the auspices of the Town Criers. The contest ended in a fiddling duel between Shippee and Jim Gaffney, 71, of Providence. Both had qualified for the final by winning the first and second elimination trials respectively. Shippee won the title by playing “That’s Where The Laugh Comes in,” “We Won’t Get Home Until Morning,” “Arkansas Traveller,” “Johnny Get Your Gun,” and a Scotch hornpipe were among his selections. Gaffney was the first to offer congratulations as the gold medal was pinned on Shippee.
50 Years Ago – January 8, 1975
Bureau reps here to issue adult ID cards — Representatives of the Maine Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages were in the county to process applications for the adult identification card.
Hospital room rate increased to $64 — Arthur R. Gould Memorial Hospital in Presque Isle announced increases in hospital room rates. Private room rates increased from $63 to $69 per day. Semi-private room rates increased from $57 to $64 per day. Charges for certain other hospital services increased by approximately the same percentage as do room rates. The increases were necessary in order for the hospital to contract qualified medical personnel and to cover increases in costs of hospital equipment and supplies, a spokesman said. Among the increases in hospital expenses financed by room rates were utilities. Fuel, electricity and water rates had increased by 74 percent in the previous two years.
25 Years Ago – January 12, 2000
Soup Kitchen benefitted from local generosity — When Bob Palmer, head cook at the soup kitchen, found out a local dentist wanted to donate a vehicle to Martha & Mary’s Soup Kitchen, he was delighted. When Dr. Allen Jacobs turned over the keys to his mint-condition 1989 Dodge Ram Charger, Palmer was moved to tears. The four-wheel-drive truck was a dealer’s promotion and so had every feature and option. The odometer read just 61,000 miles, the tires were new and Jacobs just had the water pump and radiator hoses replaced. It also had an engine block heater and CB radio. The truck was worth about $14,000.
Whoopie pies away — Getting a lesson in whoopie pie preparation for their fundraiser were Presque Isle High School Europe 2000 students. Those present were Jesse Powers, Emily Davis, Chad Sirois, Natalie Hamel and Zach Smith. The Europe 2000 students, parents and chaperones baked hundreds of whoopie pies to help fund the students’ trip. Paris, London, San Sebastian, Burgos and Madrid were the places the students will visit during the 11-day trip to Europe.
Aroostook Savings and Loan expanded — Aroostook County Federal Savings & Loan Association doubled the size of its Presque Isle branch. The expansion added two new offices, a conference room, storage area and a second drive-through service window. The reason for the new addition was simple, growth and space. The bank had increased assets 70 percent in the previous five years. The $22.5 million increase created a total of $53.5 million. Total assets were determined by adding up all the loans on the books, said branch manager Mary Hutch. The Presque Isle branch had experienced steady growth since its opening in 1986.
