Centennial program draws thousands despite weather
Editor’s note: The following front-page news story comes from the Aug. 27, 1959 Star-Herald.
Despite unfavorable weather which made the first two performances of “Presque Isle Centurama” uncomfortable for cast and spectators alike and forced postponement of the Wednesday night pageant, the first half of Presque Isle’s Centennial Week events were enjoyed by thousands of local residents and visitors, with every event presented on schedule except last night’s pageant performance.
Seven performances of “Presque Isle Centurama” are guaranteed, and an additional performance will be presented Saturday evening, to make up for Wednesday night’s cancelled show. In one episode of the production when a lady is being sawed in half at a Gay ‘90s Fair, the barker exclaims, “If you hadn’t seen it, you would never have believed it.” These words can also applied for the overall “Centaurama” production as 450 Presque Isle citizens portray the colorful 100-year history of our city.
The city’s 100th birthday celebration got off to a resounding start Saturday night with the Queen Coronation Ball, and the program has continued with a varied schedule of events and features throughout the week.
Queen’s Ball
Miss Sandra Akeley was proclaimed Miss Presque Isle Centurama at the coronation ball Saturday night which drew an overflow crowd to the Presque Isle Armory. Following the announcements by City Manager John E. Henchey, the queen was crowned by Miss Patricia Haley of Fort Fairfield, Maine Potato Blossom Queen, and Miss Judy Hanley, Caribou’s centennial queen.
Members of Queen Sandra’s court, in the order in which they finished the contest, are Mae Madore, Gloria Frazer, Nancy Graves, Marcia Conant, Marilee Winslow, Carolyn Prue, Lois Estes, Patricia Crory, Twilda Malenfant, and Nancy Martin. Airmen from Presque Isle Air Force Base served as escorts, and accompany them at their appearances in the “Presque Isle Centurama.”
Religious Dedication Day
Sunday, Religious Dedication Day with Paul Klose as chairman, saw every Presque Isle religious organization conducting its own centennial services to a large congregation.
Sunday afternoon, a Centennial Gun Shoot was held at the Rod and Gun Club which drew a large gathering of spectators.
In addition to the first performance of the “Presque Isle Centurama”, the Bishop’s Players presented a dramatic rendition of “The Great Divorce” at the Grant Memorial Methodist Church to a capacity audience.
Pre-pageant ceremonies Sunday, with Ted Coffin as master of ceremonies, included a concert by the Presque Isle Centennial Band and awards by the Star-Herald to the winner of the Centennial Seal Contest, Gouldville School student Wendell Hudson, and the WAGM-TV award to the winner of the Name the Pageant Contest, Mrs. Betty Philbrick of Fort Fairfield.
Despite the chilly weather, an amazing turnout witnessed “Presque Isle Centurama,” the stirring 100-year history of Presque Isle. The 24-episode, historic production has received unqualified applause from all who have attended.
Pioneer Day
Monday, Pioneer Day and Homecoming Day, Ted Coffin chairman, began with the huge centennial parade at 10 a.m. An estimated 10,000 people witnessed the 75 parade units. Monday noon, an opening day luncheon and pioneer recognition ceremony was presented by the centennial committee with Mrs. Augusta Christie as hostess. The luncheon was attended by 25 of Presque Isle’s most senior citizens.
The oldest woman present was Mrs. Mary Jane Libby, age 94, while the oldest man was Arthur Bennett, 91. Mrs. Libby was presented with a special award. Also on hand was one of the city’s newest residents, little Lonnie Allen Steeves, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Steeves Jr., and baby girl Claudette Dubois, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Harold Dubois. Both children were the New Year’s Babies of 1959.
On the library lawn, an afternoon fashion show and costume judging was held by the Sisters of the Skillett. Awards included: best mother and daughter outfit, Mrs. Robert Andrews and daughter Mary Jo; most yardage, Mrs. Clifford Curran; prettiest, Mrs. Milda Everett; best individual girl, Pamela Jean Downing; nearest to 1859, Miss Laura Hemphill; oldest, Mrs. Arlene Weaver; and most authentic, Mrs. George Perry.
Youth Day
Tuesday, Children and Youth Day, chairman James Lyford, opened with a colorful childrens float, pets and costume parade much to the delight of the many thousands drawn out for the event. First-place awards were made to: best pet, donkey ridden by Miss Barnes; best float, CYO; best costume, Steve Vance.
Also presented was a program of square dancing by a group of young children under the direction of Mrs. Merle Duncan.
Armed Forces Day
Wednesday, Armed Forces Day, chairman Fred Lunt, began with another elaborate centennial parade which included many military units from both Presque Isle and Loring Air Force bases. The crowd was estimated to be even larger than that which viewed Monday’s parade. The Delta Battery, Nike missile unit from Limestone, was also represented at the event.
The Snark Intercontinental ballistic missile and a Nike Ajax missile were both placed on display in the downtown parking lot next to F.W. Woolworth Company. Supervised tours of the Snark sites were conducted with transportation furnished by the PI Air Force Base and an estimated 1,000 persons visited the high security military installation.
About 500 persons braved the damp weather to attend the beef barbecue held a the Northern Maine Fairgrounds. The Pierian Club Centennial Tea at the Frank W. Hussey home also was well attended.
Displays of antiques, ranging from farm tools, firearms to school books and childrens toys, were on exhibition throughout Centennial Week in many downtown store windows. The display of these souvenirs of the city’s early history was assembled and arranged under the direction of the Presque Isle Garden Club.
STAR CITY TWO-STEP — “Presque Isle Centurama” pageant dancers, from left, Mae Madore, Lorraine Beaulieu and Sheila (Corey) McKenna participated in Presque Isle’s 100th anniversary celebration August 1959 at Northern Maine Fairgrounds.
SOMETHING TO BLOW YOUR HORN ABOUT — Presque Isle’s Community Band added music to the city’s100th anniversary parade and other festivities. 
HAMMING IT UP — “Presque Isle Centurama” actors, from left, Jon Briton-Myer, Lorraine Beaulieu and Mac Shapiro in a scene from Presque Isle’s centennial celebration pageant at Northern Maine Fairgrounds, August 1959.
