99 Years Ago – October 8, 1925
Big broadcasting station at the University of Maine — The University entered the field of radio broadcasting on a large scale, according to an announcement by the department of electrical engineering made through Acting President H. S. Boardman, dean of the College of Technology. A beginning was made in the work the previous spring when a hundred-watt station with the call letters W G B X was licensed and went on the air several times, although without any definite program of broadcast. In 1925, the power of the station increased to five hundred watts and was used to broadcast concerts by the glee clubs, orchestra and band. The primary purpose of the station was educational.
50 Years Ago – October 9, 1974
Van brought news to area disabled vets — Six motorized vans were sent into Maine by the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) bringing information about DAV and other veterans’ services to the Pine Tree State. Two of the vans, virtual rolling information offices, came to Aroostook County, stopping at the Mammoth Mart parking lot in Presque Isle and on Main Street in Houlton by the First National Bank. The six-van fleet was an attempt to acquaint veterans living outside metropolitan areas with services that were available to them. The fleet was on a year-long tour of the United States.
Housing project loan approved — A loan funding senior citizens housing project in Mapleton received preliminary approval from the Farmers Home Administration. Mrs. Joanne Hunter, who, with her husband, Lawrence Hunter, proposed constructing the housing as a limited profit venture, said Oct. 7 that the FHA had written to the town of mapleton to notify it that a loan of $325,000 was approved for the project.
Cambridge installed Kiwanis president — Thomas C. Sweetser officially transferred authority to newly installed President Clarence E. Cambridge at the regular weekly luncheon meeting of the Presque Isle Kiwanis Club held at the Northeastland Hotel. The joint installation of Division 26, New England District, was held Friday evening, Sept. 27, at Madawaska with Lt. Gov. Lewis Finnemore presiding. Officers were installed for the Presque Isle, Caribou, Loring Air Force Base, Madwaska and Monticello Clubs. Prior to passing the gavel over to Cambridge, Weetser presented the President’s Pin to him. Sweetser awarded a Past-Treasurer’s Pin to Arnold Beaulieu and membership development awards to Royal Goheen for having sponsored one new member during the previous year and to Frank Moffit for sponsoring three new members.
25 Years Ago – October 13, 1999
Wolves’ XC teams won County titles — The Cunningham Middle School boys and girls cross country teams raced to victories in the Aroostook League Championship held Thursday despite cold and windy conditions on the UM-Presque Isle course. The Cunningham boys totalled 35 points for the win, with Skyway next 49, Caribou had 51, Union 122 (New Sweden, Stockholm and Woodland) ended up fourth with 87, and Hodgdon was fifth with 153, For Fairfield had just four competitors and did not figure in the team scores. On the girls’ side, Cunningham’s 41 points led the way. Union 122 (44) and Caribou (48) were second and third, respectively. In fourth place was Skyway with 104 points, with Fort Fairfield with 143 and Hodgdon sixth with 150.
City named the new code enforcement officer — After a search lasting more than two months, the City of Presque Isle appointed Marcus C. Russell III to serve as a full-time code enforcement officer. Russell replaced James Gardner, who resigned in July. A life-long resident of Aroostook County, Russell served as a Senior Planner for the Maine State Planning Office, where he managed the State’s Code Enforcement Training and Certification Program. He previously served as code enforcement officer, building inspector, and plumbing inspector for the Town of Houlton, while also serving as a volunteer firefighter.
