99 Years Ago – December 3, 1925
Interesting historic relic — An old birch bark canoe believed to have been made by the Indians over forty years prior and was one of the oldest, if not the only one in the state, had been found in Waldoboro and steps were being taken to have it bought by the state and preserved at the State Capitol at Augusta. The canoe, which was found in the workshop of the old shipyard of Augustus Welt of the Reed Welt Company, was in good condition and was made from two pieces of very heavy birch bark. An old handmade paddle was found in it. It was found tucked away on the beams in the top of the shop where it had evidently been put many years prior after it had been paddled up the river by the Indians.
50 Years Ago – December 4, 1974
Star city leader awarded — At the fifth annual Maine Community Betterment Awards Banquet in Augusta Nov. 20, Presque Isle City Manager Dana Connors was presented an outstanding leadership award by Mark Maine Chairman Kenneth L. Cianchette of Pittsfield. The MCB program, sponsored by the Maine Department of Commerce and Industry, recognized community leaders recommended by members of local MCB committees. Presque Isle retained its four out of five possible gold stars under the MCB program and was awarded a silver star as an MCB community with an ongoing nationally recognized bicentennial program.
Ashland promotion — Michael M. Collins was named production manager at Pinkham Lumber Company. In this position, he had reporting to him the sawmill, kiln, maintenance and garage foreman as well as the yard supervisor, purchasing agent, maintenance parts clerks and scalers. Collins joined the company in 1960, and was a graduate of the University of Maine with a B.S. in forestry. Mr. and Mrs. Collins and their four sons lived in Portage.
25 Years Ago – December 8, 1999
Rotary auction raised $21,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters program — The Rotary Club topped itself yet again, raising $21,000 for the Big Brother Big Sisters program in Aroostook County. Big Brother Big Sisters was the club’s special project at the 52nd Annual Rotary/TV Auction, held Wednesday through Friday at the Northeastland Hotel. The auction committee, led by Matt McHatten and Robert Grove-Markwood, had set a fundraising goal of $20,000. Nearly $2,500 was donated by the Mai Tai and Governor’s restaurants to Big Brother Big Sisters. Big Brother Big Sisters is a national mentoring program, which matches school-age boys and girls with adult professionals. The adults act as role models and spend time with the children, doing homework, going on outings and playing games.
Professor honored for years of service — Fifty-three years after she began teaching physical education, Caroline Gentile received the Highest Praise Award from the Maine Association of Health. Physical education, Recreation and Dance. This is the top award for the state organization. The most telling part of the evening for her was when one of the speakers asked everyone who had ever been taught by Gentile to stand. She said more than half of the room was standing. Gentile had been teaching the University of Maine at Presque Isle since 1946 when it was still the Aroostook State Normal School. In fact, the school had been renamed four times since she was hired.
Mall ‘dollar store’ opened — Pam Correale opened The Buck Stops Here the day after Thanksgiving, the biggest shopping day of the year. Correale wanted to open a dollar store for eight years. She and her husband and four children moved to Caribou from Brockton, Massachusetts. The family had a relative here who introduced them to the County. The Correales owned a restaurant in Massachusetts and rental properties in the Caribou area. The Buck Stops Here carried a little of everything, from miniblenders to toys and tools.
