Caribou area From our Files – Week of November 4, 2019

Caribou Police Officer Douglas Bell demonstrates one of the police department's two new tire deflating devices recently provided through a grant from the Maine Highway Safety Commission. The device will be deployed when officers are in pursuit of a subject on the highway. Caribou Police Chief Arthur Gorney said the device will be used only in safe situations. The 15-foot device with hollow needles or spikes is placed across the roadway by an officer and when a vehicle passes over the spikes the subject’s tire, it deflates causing the vehicle to slow down. Bell said all department officers were recently trained to use this device safely and received certification after completing a course instructed by Maine State Trooper Jim Graves. (Ketch photo) (File photo 1994)

115 Years Ago – Nov. 2,  1904

Starch — A.C. Duncan who has been superintending in the making of starch in W.B. Hall’s Factory, was in Caribou Monday on his way home to Washburn, the factory having shut down for the season. The Town of Washburn is noted for the number of starch makers who go from there every fall into nearly every factory in the country.

100 Years Ago – Nov. 5, 1919

Potato House — E.J. Briggs suffered quite a financial loss last Friday when the side of the old Prentiss Potato House gave way, dumping hundreds of barrels of potatoes out of doors.

75 Years Ago – Nov. 2, 1944

Potatoes — The spuds grew so big and plentiful this year that Mickey McGrath had to completely revise his potato sweepstakes contest and give six prizes instead of three at the closing of the race yesterday. First place went to Atwood Wright for a three pound eight ounce potato. But five potatoes tied for second place at three pounds and eight ounces. Atwood scratched his head and gave out six prizes instead of three. The winner got $5.00, the remaining tied and got $2.00 each.

50 Years Ago – Nov. 5, 1969

Postmaster — Malcolm R. Holts has retired from the U.S. Postal Service on Oct. 30 after serving 35 years as Postmaster here. Holts received his appointment as Postmaster Oct. 24, 1934, during the Presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt and when James A. Farley served as Postmaster General. Elwood A. Doody has been appointed officer in charge of the Post Office in Perham.

Crafts event ‘fabulous’ — Over 3,000 people jammed the General Carter Memorial Armory in Caribou last weekend for the County’s first Arts and Crafts Fair. Throughout the three-day event, artists demonstrated their trades or hobbies before gatherings of spectators, sculptors, painters, wood carvers, and a dozen others attracted large audiences. Visitors also viewed the handicrafts of over 100 other exhibitors and the paintings of both Maine and New Brunswick’s artists.

25 Years Ago – Nov. 2, 1994

Reading Program — Nancy Jackson from Maine Public Service, representing the “Powerful Readers Program,” was at the Woodland School this week reading to Marge Dahlgren’s Kindergarten Class. Jackson read “The Lovables in the Kingdom of Self-Esteem” by Diane Loomans, and presented the book to the class. She spoke briefly about self-esteem and the process of building it at an early age. Thanks go out to Maine Public Service for sponsoring this event.

Nylander Museum to Host Parent- Teacher Workshop  — The Nylander Museum will be the site this week for a parent-teacher workshop presented by the Maine School of Mathematics and Science. The three day event is intended to provide a non threatening environment where parents and children can learn math and science together and to help parents learn how to help their children become better problem solvers using hands-on activities.