Special to the Star-Herald
The Abnaki Club formed in 1934 when a group of young men from Presque Isle was looking towards opening a social club for the younger generation. Those men included: Eddie Green, Pat Parent and Gus Johnson. Their first meeting place was held in the store next to George Bouchard’s Barber Shop on January 14, 1934. During this first meeting, committees were formed, along with selection of chairmen including: Wallace Ritchie, Don English, Eddie Green, Benton Craig, Ralph Jamieson and Nat Barker. Also elected were: Ray Burnett, Victor Thompson, Gus Johnson, Edmund Beaulieu, Maxwell Jacques, Sumner Whitney, Rev. H. S. Thomas, Nathanial White, Richard Pelletier, Robert Akley and Holland Loane.
In March of 1934, the group held a meeting in the old high school auditorium and the following officers were elected: President C.H. Strong, Vice President Myles Golbranson, Secretary Harold Glidden and Treasurer Nat Baker. The first Executive Committee was composed of: John Parker, Donald Sweeney, Eddie Green, Robert Akley and Monheim Friedman.
The first quarters for the club was in the Harry Green Block, just over the Graves Furniture Store and the rooms “were splendidly equipped at a reasonable cost,” as indicated in historical records at the Mark and Emily Turner Memorial Library in Presque Isle. This first meeting was in the form of a banquet at the Northeastland Hotel, attended by over 100 members. Their membership was limited to only 150.
The Abnaki Club was a social organization but was publicly involved in many civic endeavors, always lending aid to worthy community causes. The Club also enjoyed getting involved in events like bowling tournaments and card games with another local group, the Presque Isle Mooseleuk Club.
Due to the fact that most of the Club members were young men, some of their attentions turned to sports. Between 1934 and the outbreak of WW II in 1941, the club sponsored the Presque Isle Indians baseball team which won the county title under the coaching skills of Elmer “Spike” Williams.
The Abnaki Club was known for sponsoring the first Winter Carnival in Presque Isle. It was held early March of 1935 and the “Abnaki Boys” took hold of this idea; the event was held for several years. Howard Michaud was the general chairman and remained so until the Carnival grew to very large proportions and needed a special carnival association to do justice in organizing the festivities.
The Club also sponsored junior baseball and bowling for youth and adult teams for several years and was largely responsible for the introduction of softball in Presque Isle. A special basketball league was also formed. They also held annual field days producing much fun and good fellowship for Presque Isle-area youth.
In 1948 when many of the soldiers were finally home from the war, the 150-membership quota was lifted, and many joined, making the rolls swell to over 300 by 1950. They needed a larger meeting place, and one was found — located just behind the old Commander Hotel at 4 Church Street in the Noble Block on the second floor. Phone service was established in 1948, marking the first time the Club had a phone number, 8121, listed in the phone book. The “apartments” (several rooms) were well-decorated and included leather chairs and couches, round, finely-grained card tables and even a fireplace. The kitchen was a full-sized and fully-furnished room, and the longest working “chef” was Cecil “Red” Niles. The Abnaki Club was destined to play a major part in the affairs of the community and Presque Isle took pride in it. They were known for yearly lobster feeds, raising money to support their various causes and many other fund-raisers were held with the assistance of Finance Officer Ernest Smart.
During the first few years of its formation, the club was given a beautiful marble tableau presented to the Club by F.B. Thompson of the Presque Isle Memorial Works. It was accepted by Abnaki President C.H. Strong. The tabletop depicted an Indian head chief made by Bernard Golbracnson, and the table was a beautiful gift with wondrous artwork, designed to last throughout the years.
Sadly, the Club came to an end in the mid-1970s.
