Special to The Star-Herald
She was crowned “Miss Presque Isle Centurama” Aug. 22, 1959 as part of the observance of the city’s 100th anniversary. Sandra Ackley was actually crowned before each evening performance of “Presque Isle Centurama.” Seven times, including being crowned by Gov. Clinton A. Clausson, who addressed the audience at the fairgrounds after he had been placed in pillory.
I was with the NEWS at the time and covered many of the activities. In looking through my collections of newspaper clippings and negatives, I can recall much of the celebration. A production company was commissioned to present the history of Presque Isle in drama and music at Northern Maine Fairgrounds using the huge stage that was in front of the grandstand, across from the trotting track.
The celebration ran a week with several parades, a wide variety of events, including a beard-growing contest, of course. (I even grew a red one). There were five top winners in five categories: Earl Britton, Van dyke; Russell Bull, goatee; James Willette, mutton chops; Joe Olore, full beard; Orlando Madore, scraggly beard; Howard Murchison, best full beard; Harry Gooding, moustache; and Herman Daigle, neat beard (being a barber he’d better have!). He portrayed President Abraham Lincoln in the pageant. The Centurama miss kissed each of the winners.
The coronation ball was held at the National Guard Armory and the Sisters of the Skillet had a fashion show on the lawn of the library with some dresses nearly 90 years old.
The Lion’s Club served over 500 pounds of chicken at their barbecue, the Women’s Christian Temperance Union held a public picnic at Bethany Baptist Church, the Presque Isle Rod and Gun Club had a shoot on the club range, and a Pioneer’s Days luncheon was at the Northeastland Hotel.
The re-enactment of the All-America Jury Citation was presented to the city.
During the activities at the fairgrounds, 10-year-old Wendell Hudson of Presque Isle received an award for the basic design of the centennial seal and Betty Philbrick of Fort Fairfield was given an award for naming the pageant “Presque Isle Centurama.”
Participating in the pageant at the fairgrounds were: Mac Shapiro, Lorraine Beaulieu, Sheila Corey, Mae Shirley and Nancy Madore. Virginia Packard and her daughters, Judy and Gloria, and Marcia Conant rode floats in the parades. Jim Keefe was a Keystone Cop.
As part of Armed Forces Day, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 1959, Presque Isle Air Force Base displayed a Snark missile and a Nike Ajax missile in the parking lot next to the current Wilder’s building. Across Main Street at the Braden Theater the wide-screen film “Tea House of the August Moon” was showing in Cinescope and color.
Also on Wednesday, the Aroostook Livestock Association served nearly 500 pounds of beef at their barbecue on the fairgrounds. On Canadian Good Neighbors Day, bands from Edmundston and Woodstock, New Brunswick, participated with pipes and drums. The girls Flamingo Swimming Club of Bangor performed a synchronized ballet at the outdoor pool (there was no indoor pool at the time).
It is interesting looking at the negatives I made during the celebration and seeing the stores and businesses that once lined Main Street such as Western Auto, Chain Apparel, Boston Shoe Store, Dana’s Pharmacy, Dr. Trundy, the dentist; Dr. Arthur P. Reynolds, MD, Lloyd Greenlaw Insurance, Thompson’s Rexall, Fred Beck’s law offices, A.M. Smith’s hardware, with Hayden Insurance upstairs (down the hall from the NEWS office). Green Brothers clothing store, J. Olore Tailor was upstairs with Roma Cafe in the Greenlaw block. Wilkin’s was on the street level with The Music Shop, Thibodeau’s Shoes. Hart’s restaurant was next to the Northern National Bank building, which became Casco Northern and then Key Bank. J.J. Newberry’s enlarged their store and was located next to Day’s Jewelry Store. Newberry’s became Service Merchandise with Don Aucion’s Pizza House, as a neighbor, which is now the Mai Tai. Wilder’s Jewelry Store moved from where Northern Printer’s is now to where they are now on Main Street.
The Army and Navy Store, next to A.M. Smith’s, later became the location for Malmark’s clothing store, which now contains antiques. Marston’s Luncheonette was next to the then Maine Employment Security Office.
There has been so changes along Main Street that perhaps I had better cease and desist in attempting to name any others.
It is also interesting to note, the 1959 calendar is actually the same as the 2009 calendar.
MARKING 100 YEARS — Maine Potato Blossom Queen for 1959, Patricia Ann Haley of Fort Fairfield, on her float in Presque Isle’s 100th anniversary observance parade.
CENTENNIAL QUEEN — Appearing on the Presque Isle Kiwanis Club float is “Miss Presque Isle Centurama,” Sandra Ackley Kennedy with her court as they took part in the August 24, 1959 parade that celebrated Presque Isle’s 100th anniversary.
PROUDLY PATRIOTIC — Riding on the Ray Goding Post American Legion float in one of several Presque Isle 100th anniversary celebration parades are Mrs. Edwin “Ginny” Packard and daughters Judy and Gloria.
