100 Years Ago – May 31, 1923
New county agent elected — A new county agent took charge of agricultural extension work in Aroostook, under the auspices of the College of Agriculture, the United States Department of Agriculture and the Aroostook Farm Bureau, was selected in succession to Edward W. Morton, who had resigned to become field agent for the Maine Potato Growers Exchange.
Verne C. Beverly, the recommendation of whom had been sent to Washington for appointment as county agent, had for three years been a teacher of agriculture at Patten Academy and had been very successful in that work. He was born in Calais, worked his way through Bangor High School and the University of Maine by summer employment on large Maine farms, his last two summers in that service being on the Summit Farms at Davidson.
75 Years Ago – May 27, 1948
Malcolm Hatch of Belfast was named to C. of C. Post — Malcolm S. Hatch, secretary of the Belfast Chamber of Commerce, was appointed executive secretary of the Presque Isle C. of C. to succeed Ellis E. Survatn, who resigned, President George W. Perry announced. Hatch assumed his new duties. He was selected from a field of several candidates at a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce board of directors.
Washburn man’s wife honored as “Mrs. Maine” — Mrs. Maurice Russell, formerly June Andrews of Independence, MO, was elected “Mrs. Maine” during the annual Maine Day celebration at the University of Maine in Orono. Mrs. Russell was selected by the student body from a field of five contestants, all wives of students, in a contest, sponsored by the Pine Needle, the University’s humor magazine. She was the winner of more than $125, worth of prizes donated by Orono merchants. Mrs. Russell, a brunette, five feet seven inches tall, and weighed 125 pounds; a tennis enthusiast and a devotee of swimming and fishing; as well as impartially in favor of both southern and New England styles of cooking.
50 Years Ago – May 30, 1973
Senator stopped in Star City — An increase of interest in the production of feed grains by county farmers was one of the topics discussed with Maine’s junior senator, William Hathaway, when he met with representatives of the potato industry here Sunday, May 27. Lowell Weeks, executive vice president of the Maine Potato Council, said Monday that there was a “decided increase of interest in feed grains” in the county. He noted that the McDowell Walker Co. of Delhi, N.Y. planned to construct a grain elevator in caribou.
Birthday celebration — Seven residents of the Aroostook Convalescent Center, Inc. celebrated their birthdays at the monthly party. They were, Mrs. Susie Higgins of Mapleton, Maxwell Blackstone of Perham, Mrs. Harriette Bishop of Presque Isle, Herman Archer of Presque Isle, Mrs. Mabel Doak of Caribou, Mrs. Nettie Robins of Fort Fairfield, and Mrs. Hazel Ouellette of Fort Kent. The party was sponsored by the ladies of the Catholic Chapel at Loring Air Force Base. Corsages were provided by Cook Florist of Presque Isle. Mrs. Dana Grant of Easton played piano.
New nursery — Officials of the Chamber of Commerce and City of Presque Isle were on hand to welcome a new nursery, Jordan’s Nursery, as a beginning of its three-day grand opening and open house. Those present were Gene L. Michaud, president of the Chamber, Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Jordan, owners and Maxwell Buck, city manager.
25 Years Ago – June 3, 1998
A Mapleton girl won the state title — Nine-year-old Shauna Johnston of Mapleton won the title of 1998 Miss Little Maine at a pageant held at the Samoset Resort in Rockland on May 3. She was among seven girls competing in the eight- to 10-year-old age division. Johnston also won “Most Photogenic.” She is the daughter of Garth and Debbie Johnston of Mapleton. The pageant was a fund-raiser for the Miss Maine System.
Donation — The American Legion, Donald DeLaite Post No. 109 of Ashland donated $1,000 to the County Dialysis Center. “This comes at a great time, we’re celebrating the first year anniversary of the center and adding another three dialysis machines to the center’s already six stations,” said Lois Ustanko, TAMC vice president of nursing services. “We’re very appreciative of the support from the American Legion,” he added.
Wildcat athletes broke meet records — Three meet records fell at the aroostook County Track and Field Championships, which was held at the SAD 1 Athletic Complex in Presque Isle. Senior Torey McPherson won all four events he competed in, and broke a pair of marks along the way. McPherson’s times of 11.1 seconds in the 100 and 23 seconds in the 200 broke previous County Meet records. He also took first in the shot put (44 feet, 1-½ inches) and the high jump (6 feet, 2 inches) to lead Presque Isle to the team title. The Wildcats scored 186 points in the event, with Caribou finishing second with 77, Fort Fairfield was third with 44, Fort Kent fourth with 12 and Limestone fifth with 4.
