"More than 1,000 people cheered from the deck". Boy, those were the days in Bangor....lots of excitement and enthusiasm!

For sure, boat'in down the "Pennobie" was great, especially in the day and age Mr. Reilly's newest column depicts! The upgrade in swifter service and opulence arises to envision us from the steamboat days, even in today's world we live in, insofar as transportation being public of private in 1909. It was there for the taking! But man alive, what a world it was back then to ride on the larger, newer "Belfast" or "Camden" on any waterway points south or back north again. Just to take in a day-trip to Rockland, for instance, must have been exciting. The round-trip to Boston must have been more exciting, as business people and travelers and shoppers alike had this convenience!

However, with advancing years, there came advances in transportation modes; and faster service. But nevertheless, nobody can ever disclaim the waterway shipping lines Mr. Reilly speaks of. Just to simply sit on the shore by the ocean enjoying a picnic with your close friend or family, watching these beautiful ships glide by through the easy salt-water mist a short distance off the coast, must have enticed the attention many an onlooker!

That was truly "Maine, the way life should be!"

Cre8RoyalPalm: Love the way you write and enjoy reading your reminiscing about Bangor's past. Boat travel must have been even better back then; things were more leisurely overall, compared to this hectic lifestyle of today.

I myself, am a great and passionate lover of trains and train travel. I would be so happy to see passenger train travel restored this far north (Bangor). I think it may happen , but not soon enough. Just to take a train ride of a few hours would be so enjoyable. I am not so sure about these really fast moving trains that are in parts of Europe now, and I guess are the future here in train travel. I do not want everything to be a blur out the window. Love seeing parts of our country while riding the rails; saw parts of the mid-West for the first time from a train. Remember all those corn fields as we passed by, eating breakfast in the dining car with linen tablecloths. One meets so many nice and interesting people when riding in a train.

The blogger mentioned train travel and this type of travel restored [6-14/10:39pm]. Would that not be the epitome of the very logo that the State of Maine has..."Maine...The way life should be". Just like the other person who made the comment above [6-14/10:35pm]. With so many license plates Maine has, why not add another...the train travel era! Promote it, why not?! The very essence of having things not so much brought back from the past, but to simply enjoy those moments and particulars so many of us had the very opportunity to be a part of, growing up could very well enhance the quality of life Maine really has [had]. No matter where we lived in whatever state, Maine always had something special to all of us during the train travel period.

I remember as a child, getting on the train in Bangor, with all those smells of the steam emitting from the brakes, those huge bellows of steam, coke or wood coming from the stacks of the engines, the clunking of the couplers as they engaged when the train made its first inching along the tracks on its travel routes south or north, feeling the power of the engine [diesel or otherwise, and seeing the folks sitting in the seats some happy, some crying [for whatever reason], and the conductor standing on the side steps hanging by the railing outside the cars. Usually, we were on our way to vacation on the beaches of Maine for the three weeks we could enjoy the opportunity.

Yes, the virtual enjoyment of trains, the relaxing part of taking a trip, nobody was stressed-out when they arrived, and to be shuttled here and there as they are now, especially with these threats and security checks we have to go through, just to get to the front door of an airport.

The last locomotive [the "choo-choo engine"] of the times in Bangor, was the Maine Central Railroad's steam locomotive number 470 which made its final run. By the way, it was heading southbound. This was in 1954 when diesel engine made the transition from steam or whatever else they used to power them, to diesel power. Then, remember the two diesel engines linked-together hauling those long lines of box cars, flat cars and other types along those rails? Man, what an era these trains were in and what nostalgia they brought to our senses!

Cre8RoyalPalm:

You brought so much about train travel alive with your writing and great details. I could almost feel it again!

".....feeling the power of the engine (diesel or otherwise)".....I can remember the excitement of hearing and feeling that , especially as a child, when the train came around the bend.

"...and the conductor standing on the side steps hanging by the railing outside the cars." Yes!! Miss it!

Mr. Reilly, What a grand article on the Great While Flyers. My almost 93-year-old father and I so enjoyed reading it. I have one of the chairs from the "salon" in my living room, plus other artifacts regarding the Belfast. My Dad was on the Belfast as a young boy and so loved it. His grandfather, my great-grandfather, Capt. Alfred E. Rawley, was captain of the Belfast after Captain Curtis. My father drove his grandfather to Winterport to take the Belfast on its last trip to Boston in December of 1935. My father used to gives speeches on the steamboats and I have sort of taken over that aspect now. Dad talks about the gleam of the brass, the telegraph and of course that Capt. Rawley never had an accident. Dad always got to order steak for dinner and ate at the Captain's table. Those were the days!!!!!!!

We so enjoy your articles. Do you live across the street from Amos Kimball? If so, he knows my father.

Keep those wonderful articles coming.

With much admiration, Sandra E. Boynton, 2 Hamel Avenue, Hampden, Maine o4444 bookcatyarn1944@aol.com 942-6246 04 299-4065

Congratulations and lots of esteem and respect to Sandra E. Boynton's father, {would his name be Rawley} who actually took part and was instrumental in the operation of the Eastern Steamship Company's ships, the newest models made at BIW. Just to have a chair from this ship, the "Belfast" in his home in Hampden would be exciting. I'll bet that everytime this chair is sat in, it is like the magic carpet of time bringing memories of those days on the coast of Maine through Massachusetts on these ships of white.

In 1909, your dad, Sandra, would have been about 16 years old. With such a memory of his past experiences just on these ships, I would wager that he has so many stories to tell, not one of those stories would be dull!

Thanks so much for that input.

Why the heck would my comments on this article about boats and trains be voted down? Someone has a real problem....sicko! You have serious issues....get some help. (how are you doing, frayendsofsanity?) Time to grow up....

From what they are saying, not too long before the thumbs up/down feature will be a thing of the past, or very changed. Guess the "fun and games" of some will be diminished....oh too bad.

Cre8RoyalPalm and Sandra Boynton: Please ignore those comments just above.....it is just distressing that a very few posters are beyond childish,etc. It has absolutely nothing to do with you or your postings.

But once again.....I so enjoy all your writings and knowledge about Bangor and days of yore. So very interesting!! Thanks.

To: "chersully2000", I have no idea where your comments went. There were no harsh statements, nevertheless, there were nothing in these comments of yours to abridge the registration and blogging policies of the Bangor Daily News. Please try to contact the BDN authority and try to determine if the "thumbs" feature cannot be altered in some way very soon. They may also know who did this by the time the activity took place and the email address at that exact time, and the number of times the "thumbs" were activated. They know who did it. When so many bloggers who really desire to utilize this site perform within the BDN standards, those other bloggers who do not conform, or to create mischief, should not have the authority to step in here and make the choice who blogs and who does not. Oh, well!

What I was going to say is this: There was much river traffic on the Penobscot since the time the river was used for sport, trade or pleasure. There were two main dangers; one were the spring thaws when ice floes broke up and drifted down the river. Two, were logs. Logs used in the forestry/logging trade, used the river to transport logs to various sites along the river for processing. Woe to the unsuspecting and careless river-boat and sailing ship captains who ran into these hazards. Of course, at times, the Penobscot also was known for its foggy areas. Early-on in the 1800's, the Penobscot was inundated with all various types of logs, sawdust, chips and whatever else from the mills dotted along the river, and most likely, much to the dismay of the boat captains plying the waterway and, when frozen over, to the ice skaters themselves.

Now that the Atlantic Salmon is on the endangered species, remember the heavy salmon fishing and sporting events on the Penobscot? The Penobscot River Salmon Club was formed as a result of this fishing bonanza. The US President received the first salmon caught, as tradition, from 1912 through 1954; stopped when the pollution in the river became so bad, even the fish were polluted! I wonder how many people were allowed to fish from the "Belfast" and the " Camden"'s decks when underway? Probably not too many, as speed and efficiency were the hallmarks of these vessels.

Gone, too, were the days when the kids, some in their "birthday suits" would jump from the high bridge supports of the original Bangor-Brewer bridge spanning the Penobscot. But, of course the passenger ships did not run up this far...under the bridge (I would guess) or even up as far as the dam.

But, we are not speaking, per se, of the Penobscot River, rather than the beautiful white turbine-powered vessels in this article; all along remembering the gentleman who still resides in Hampden, Sandra E. Boynton's father. She was so open and nice to allow the general public to have her phone numbers, physical address and email address for those interested in this historic treasure of the river and seas as shown by Wayne Reilly in his above article. What a nice gesture if her father could have one of the television stations, or even the BDN do a news story concerning her father's experiences with the white "sister ships of steel" to augment this article. We do not have too many of the original folks who lived in this time and place to tell us their stories. We ought to listen to them. We may learn something.

Yes, Cre8RoyalPalm: What you mentioned is being discussed with them. The thumbs feature was not intended for someone to be voted down writing about Bangor's past and trains and boats.etc.....what a small mind....and a disturbed individual. Well, we can laugh about it!!

Cre8RoyalPalm: It is such a distinct pleasure to have someone of your intelligence and caliber of person posting on this site. Continue! Your posts are interesting, informative and so well-written! Thanks.

The thumbs up/down feature is going to be modified or done away with sometime this summer. It is no secret what is going on here. It is nothing new. And from the comments directed at me for some time by just 1 or 2 individuals on this site....no secret. Everyone else , for the most part, has been civil regardless of our differences in stances. This is a powerless individual who knows I have no use for this individual.....so his playing his little game, desperately looking for attention and trying for some "control." Can you imagine really knowing someone like this??! I don't .......most people are nothing like this....hallelujah!!

Once again....thanks for your excellent commentary...and Ms. Boynton's as well!

Yesm Cre8RoyalPalm: It was so nice and generous of Sandra Boynton to share this much valued information about Bangor and Bangor area's past. Excellent!

"chersully2000", I generally do not post bloggers names in response to their comments; simply the date and time of the blog. In this case I can direct mine to yours by user name.

Thanks for the kudos. My thoughts and recollections are being transmitted, and has nothing to do with intellect. Thank you for this, anyway, once again. I make it a point not to make comments on any news story. This was a decision I came to from observing all the comments being posted, not only on the Bangor Daily News site, but on other social media outlets over the previous 12 years I have had computers in the office as well as in the car (laptops) and at home on personal computers. No person wants to be criticized, even though nobody recognizes a person by "user name"; unless that user publishes his/her real name for the world to see. Then, we open ourselves to major destruction from bombardment from all sides, and then take umbrage and begin to defend our comments. Then it goes full-circle again. Round and round, like the knob on the door (unless you have the European latch). I also like to blog on those articles written by non-controversial editors only. Makes for a much nicer, happier, comfortable and worthwhile day when people of the same ilk as we are, get in on the reasonableness of conversation.

Now, when I first was reading the article about these ships, all I could think about was the song, "Cruising Down the River on a Sunday Afternoon." People lining the decks, stern, bow, starboard and port...watching the shoreline, the water flow past the ship in its wake, the cool air coming off the water, and just being friends with one another on board. Seems as though it was such a pleasant, non-hurried time. Like I said before in a post here, I will bet that Sandra Boynton's dad can share some vivid memories of his experiences aboard these ships!

Cre8RoyalPalm: I am afraid I do not understand what you are saying in your first paragraph at 8:04 PM "In this case I can direct mine to yours by user name." ??? Not sure exactly what you mean here. Because my username includes "cher", a shortened version of my name? Not sure!

I relate to so much of what you write here and love the recollections of slower-paced times (not that they were that slow!!) and the wonderful train and boat travel that we experienced back then. Some of my very best memories revolve around many train trips I took in years past.

I also totally agree with it being much more pleasant , meaningful and productive to post on such a column site as this one (Wayne Reilly) and converse with others, such as yourself, who are reasonable people and appreciate some of the same things. It creates a kind of "bond" and understanding. I do not find that often in the other, much more contentious, comment pages. Every now and then there is an "ah ha moment"; an excellent comment made on some topic or article being discussed. But that seems quite rare . For the most part, there is way too much namecalling,rudeness and nastiness. It is, I agree,not very pleasant or civil. There are a few who use religion to put people down ,etc. It is nothing one wants to witness . It seems very wrong and the antithesis of what a faith filled person should be like. I mostly just read some of the articles and sometimes remark on those. Other than that, I have no stake in anything on this site. (BDN comment pages)

I really enjoy reading the Wayne Reilly column and have learned so much already. And the people who post on this column site, seem to be really interested in past times and activities of those days. The times my grandmother grew up in always fascinated me. She was born in 1897 and lived to be 2 mos. shy of her 100th birthday!

Cre8RoyalPalm: I am afraid I do not understand what you are saying in your first paragraph at 8:04 PM "In this case I can direct mine to yours by user name." ??? Not sure exactly what you mean here. Because my username includes "cher", a shortened version of my name? Not sure!

I relate to so much of what you write here and love the recollections of slower-paced times (not that they were that slow!!) and the wonderful train and boat travel that we experienced back then. Some of my very best memories revolve around many train trips I took in years past.

I also totally agree with it being much more pleasant , meaningful and productive to post on such a column site as this one (Wayne Reilly) and converse with others, such as yourself, who are reasonable people and appreciate some of the same things. It creates a kind of "bond" and understanding. I do not find that often in the other, much more contentious, comment pages. Every now and then there is an "ah ha moment"; an excellent comment made on some topic or article being discussed. But that seems quite rare . For the most part, there is way too much namecalling,rudeness and nastiness. It is, I agree,not very pleasant or civil. There are a few who use religion to put people down ,etc. It is nothing one wants to witness . It seems very wrong and the antithesis of what a faith filled person should be like. I mostly just read some of the articles and sometimes remark on those. Other than that, I have no stake in anything on this site. (BDN comment pages)

I really enjoy reading the Wayne Reilly column and have learned so much already. And the people who post on this column site, seem to be really interested in past times and activities of those days. The times my grandmother grew up in always fascinated me. She was born in 1897 and lived to be 2 mos. shy of her 100th birthday!

Cre8RoyalPalm: I am afraid I do not understand what you are saying in your first paragraph at 8:04 PM "In this case I can direct mine to yours by user name." ??? Not sure exactly what you mean here. Because my username includes "cher", a shortened version of my name? Not sure!

I relate to so much of what you write here and love the recollections of slower-paced times (not that they were that slow!!) and the wonderful train and boat travel that we experienced back then. Some of my very best memories revolve around many train trips I took in years past.

I also totally agree with it being much more pleasant , meaningful and productive to post on such a column site as this one (Wayne Reilly) and converse with others, such as yourself, who are reasonable people and appreciate some of the same things. It creates a kind of "bond" and understanding. I do not find that often in the other, much more contentious, comment pages. Every now and then there is an "ah ha moment"; an excellent comment made on some topic or article being discussed. But that seems quite rare . For the most part, there is way too much namecalling,rudeness and nastiness. It is, I agree,not very pleasant or civil. There are a few who use religion to put people down ,etc. It is nothing one wants to witness . It seems very wrong and the antithesis of what a faith filled person should be like. I mostly just read some of the articles and sometimes remark on those. Other than that, I have no stake in anything on this site. (BDN comment pages)

I really enjoy reading the Wayne Reilly column and have learned so much already. And the people who post on this column site, seem to be really interested in past times and activities of those days. The times my grandmother grew up in always fascinated me. She was born in 1897 and lived to be 2 mos. shy of her 100th birthday!

Cre8RoyalPalm: I am afraid I do not understand what you are saying in your first paragraph at 8:04 PM "In this case I can direct mine to yours by user name." ??? Not sure exactly what you mean here. Because my username includes "cher", a shortened version of my name? Not sure!

I relate to so much of what you write here and love the recollections of slower-paced times (not that they were that slow!!) and the wonderful train and boat travel that we experienced back then. Some of my very best memories revolve around many train trips I took in years past.

I also totally agree with it being much more pleasant , meaningful and productive to post on such a column site as this one (Wayne Reilly) and converse with others, such as yourself, who are reasonable people and appreciate some of the same things. It creates a kind of "bond" and understanding. I do not find that often in the other, much more contentious, comment pages. Every now and then there is an "ah ha moment"; an excellent comment made on some topic or article being discussed. But that seems quite rare . For the most part, there is way too much namecalling,rudeness and nastiness. It is, I agree,not very pleasant or civil. There are a few who use religion to pu

What I meant was I generally do not post user names at all, only the date and time of the posting made in referencing the comment.

By the way, run over to "Maineville" to the blog section. There are some nice comments started there, and I'll bet you can add to them. I commented on the Ben & Jerry's ice cream, the "flag" story and also the latest on favorite scary movies. Seems this section has been definitely cleaned up.

I personally recall the train trips through Maine, and out-of-state. We went to Florida back in 1955 on the train, with diesel engines pulling us along. Gone, then, were the "smokers" for the most part. When I had the opportunity once, I took a train from Seattle, Washington, to Boston by Amtrak. But, unfortunately, my trip into Maine consisted of a rental car, which I then lost the feeling of comfort; so much for the train trip. You mentioned going through the Midwest on train trips when you were young. Must have been fun, it was for me. Insofar as comments some others post, a lot are reasonable, some destroy the essence of the nature of the blog site, and frustrate a lot of us out here. But if some folks are upset at some story, I guess it is their right to voice opinions, as we all do, but in taste and demeanor. I read them all, short and long. I hold convictions on my own christian religion, politics, law, government, economy and what-have-you, and do not get mixed-up in the verbal fights that appear on any blog. It does not change anything.

I also enjoy reading Wayne Reilly, also. I know you can purchase books at bookstores at the mall and other places in Bangor, about the history of Bangor, Maine and other areas, but for those of us getting excited about Mr. Reilly's column on a weekly basis and get the chance to make immediate comments; this is the place! We do not "live in the past", although we do like to reminisce. It gives me inner comfort and peace, believe me.

Sorry to hear your grandmother passed just before her 100th birthday. You stated she was born in 1897. Isn't it ironic that in that same year she was born, Grover Cleveland was President of the US. On a historical note, one of his last acts while in office was to veto a bill that would have required ALL immigrants to take literacy tests. Just a year before this, speaking of trains, in May of that same year (1896), the US Supreme Court upheld the Jim Crow Car Law and the conviction of a black man, Homer Plessey, from New Orleans, who had attempted to ride in an all-white passenger railroad car. The upshot was blacks could not ride with whites, as long as they enjoyed "separate but equal" rights. I wonder if this was also concerning riding on ships on the rivers and high seas, also? Well, the destruction of the battleship "Maine" , on February 15, 9:40am, in 1898, in Havana harbor suddenly blew up. Your grandmother really lived in the ongoing history of the United States! Well, I better cut for now.

Cre8RoyalPalm: Excuse the error. I was trying to send the whole post but it did not work. Something was not working on this one, I guess, at that particular time.

Just to finish what I was trying to say above: I also do not find it worth it to engage in a lot of what goes on here on these comment pages. Some seem to like to antagonize, etc. It is not worth wasting one's time on that, I agree. There is not a lot of respect shown at times,either.

I do really enjoy learning more about the times and activities of the past on this one though. Nice to reminisce about those great memories. I was always fascinated about the times my grandmother grew up in (trolley cars,etc.) She was born in 1897 and lived to be 2 mos. shy of her 100th birthday!

Thanks again and I will check out the revised Maineville sometime.

I actually took that train trip to the mid-west in my young adult years. I also took the train to Fla in those years. I rode the train as a child quite a bit as well, but shorter trips; New Haven to Hartford, New Haven to New York City,etc. Exciting then!

Mr. Reilly's article above tells that the white steel "Boston boats" terminated service in 1935. The reason was due to the increase popularity in rail and airplane travel. Just like we were saying; other modes of travel came on the scene, unfortunately sort-of replacing the river trade and transportation era. This was a time of transition for a lot of folks. However, in 1888, when your grandmother was about 9 years old, Bangor was building the trolley system. It was called the Bangor Street Railways, and the trolley ran from the tin bridge on outer Main Street, through downtown Bangor, up State Street (avoiding the hill), as a "detour ran down Exchange Street, to Washington Street to Oak Street, then up to State Street, turning right, to Pearl Street, and back again. What a chore it must have been for the crews to clean the tracks of snow and ice back then. Lots of frozen toes, I'll bet, for the trolley-track crews as well as for passengers. There were strict rules for trolley passengers.

Trolleys in Bangor, and I still remember them well, phased-out about December 1945 when WW II was over with. Public buses came in, chasing-out the trolleys even before the tracks were torn up and the roads were resurfaced. I also recall the first buses being brought to Bangor. It was a luxury, of sorts, to have heat in public transportation, other than the family automobile at that time. Sometimes, I would get my bicycle tires lodged in the trolley tracks, flipping me over. Those older model buses, always had their fare registers near the driver at the top of the stairs going in. I remember, too, when you put your five-cents in the slot, the register would make a "clink...cllliiiinnnnggggg" sound. Never forgot this!

My mother took me to New York on the train several times. God only knows what we went to New York ("noo 'ork", I called it) for so many times, but I loved the grand hotels, the bigger-than-life department stores and all the different types of cars, not seen on the roads of Bangor, back up north!

Plane service landed in Bangor in 1931, which did not assist the older mode of the "Boston boats" trade. In that year (1931) Pan American Airways began flights in and out of Bangor with regular scheduled service beginning in 1933. Time marches on. I realize, for time and spacing for number of words, Mr. Reilly could not elaborate in detail about this time, or the eras that were ushered-in in soon-to-come later years.

Sorry for the error, "chersully2000" in your grandmother's age as I stated above. I said in 1888 she was 9 years old, in fact she was born in 1897...the trolley began to be built in Bangor in 1888, actually 9 years BEFORE she was born. Sorry and apologies for the mathematical error.

Cre8RoyalPalm: Always so interested to read what you write here. I will tell you.....I am not a plane person! I have flown more than once, but not lately, and each time I liked it less. (nothing to do with 9/11) Just do not like being confined in a metal tube like that...ugh! And of course all one has to go through to even get on the plane these days is not pleasant either. I have always been a great lover of trains and train travel. I love the way one can walk between the cars and eat in a dining car with people from all over. It is such a warmer, more intimate,( I guess you could say) experience than airplane travel. Of course, there are those who would disagree and appreciate getting to their destination much more quickly than you do on a train. Not me.......part of the pleasure of the trip is in the getting there!

I, too, love all the "bigger than life" department stores, restaurants, cafes , museums, "grand hotels" of the larger cities such as NYC and Boston as well. It is a little different today, but a bit of the flavor remains (part of Back Bay, Boston,etc.) I use to love Bailey's Ice Cream Parlor in Boston with the black and white tiled floor.....what atmosphere! So classy.

Oh, and all the bookstores in the cities, too.....sometimes smaller "out of the way" book shops. One could spend hours just browsing!

My grandmother rode the trolleys in New Haven, Connecticut where she was born and grew up. She lived in that area all her life (in Hamden, Conn. for most of her 99 1/2 yrs.!) She and her friends growing up could go ice skating on the ponds in the evening and then walk home. A lot less to worry about , in many ways, back then (crime,etc.)

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31407064/ns/us_news-education/

Interesting article (website above) about a village school in Vermont closing after 208 yrs.....sad.

There is a small article in today's BDN (well, the 6/18 edition) about downtowns. (Belfast,etc.) The more that can be done to preserve and build on our downtowns, the better. Many have so much character!

RE: 6/17 @ 10:51AM: Yes, for sure, you are absolutely correct about the "intimacy" of the trip with the other passengers sharing the same experiences as you. Planes are not the "in thing" for me, either. I try not to take them only at the most needed and necessary circumstance. Terminals, wherever the happen to be are a complete mess!

The old "Boston boats" Mr. Reilly describes in his article, brings to mind, something akin to train travel, but on the waterways. People are all in it together and there seemed to be an automatic feeling and atmosphere of being friendly and cordial to one another.

Boats give a feeling of togetherness simply because everyone is confined to the boat. When you hear and feel the tremor of the engines below-decks and the power of the drive shafts turning those big propellers, gives me inner-excitement for some reason I cannot explain.

Like boats, or "ships", depending on the size of the craft, trains offer the most unique type of travel, anytime and anywhere. Being a person who loves to eat and look out the window at the same time, those trains (as well as the boats/ships) give a fairly full-view of the surroundings outside. Nothing like eating lunch, dinner, or breakfast on a white linen tablecloth on a solid table, rather than a flimsy plastic drop-down tray from the seat in front of you. Woe to the person eating when the seat in front of you suddenly reclines backwards. Nothing can describe red wine all over a white suit!

Yup! Boats or trains are the only way to go (other than the bus, of course). All you have to do is leave a few hours earlier if it is a day trip, but nevertheless, the trip should be pleasant like you said. "Half the fun is getting there"!

RE: 6/17 @ 10:55 AM, 10:56AM, 11:00 AM, 3:03 PM, 3:04 PM, and 9:30 PM: Yes, Bailey's Ice Cream Parlor; I cannot forget that place. Hayes Bickfords was another favorite haunt of mine while going to college in Boston (for my first undergraduate degree), when the cafeteria at college got to be too much to handle! My dorm was on Boylston Street. I did not really go to the bookstores much, as my group of friends (guys and gals) really liked to go to places and drink! Even over to Cambridge to a few bars over there; although we never really got overly smashed, except for a few times near the Charles River walkway park areas, we really were good kids; but drinking never became a part of my life, not even in a minuscule way. The general atmosphere and social respect seemed to be on a much higher plane back when your grandmother was young. As you said, enjoying skating parties in the evening hours on the iced-over ponds and lakes was enjoyable. No need to be carrying mace, or a loaded .38 revolver to protect yourself like you have to do in today's society in most places in the US. Back again, to "Old West Justice", as they say. As we said in earlier posts, in general, people were a lot more respectful "back then". You could even trust the inebriate walking home after (more than) a few rounds with the boys at the corner speakeasy or pub. The school closing was a sad article to read. Sign of the times? So far, I have not been into the BDN news as yet, but will do so when I clear this posting. Preservation's of downtown's are virtually a necessary subject for every city or township to recognize. This is the area where the place was first incorporated, plus was the site of the first businesses, commerce, restaurants and home-sites of the villagers! We need not destroy the very infrastructure of history nor the very place in itself, just for "progress"...look what happened to Bangor as a prime example. But, I can see the destruction of old buildings, etc, but not historicals which could have been renovated. You said a lot when you mentioned, "character"!

I enjoyed hearing about your time living in Boston too....and frequent forays into Cambridge. I lived in Boston for a short time in the late 60's, very early 70's. Lived on Marlborough St (great!) in Back Bay. Also lived for a short time in Brookline...St. Mary's Street. I am sure Maine is more to my liking now, but those were interesting times. The subways were okay but not like an actual passenger train. When the subway would get just too crowded and people packed in really tightly, I many times got off and walked instead.....near the Public Garden,etc., even on cold winter days, it was still quite special.

I spent four and a half years in Boston, attending college. Although we ventured around those old cow paths, rather "streets", we totally enjoyed ourselves and will never forget those experiences that were part of our lives. We frequented the Back Bay area often. Exact memories of where we went is lost to memory now. My girlfriend was a Spector girl, a Jewish girl, whose parents owned the Animal Forest Park system. We stayed together for the entire time I was in Boston, but when I left Boston to go on to attend college in another state to further my degree program, we split up; at the likes of her mother and father.

I often took subways here and there. But, I had my own car at the time. It was a 1963 VW. Generally, I walked places or took the sub simply because I did not want to lose my parking place along Boylston.

Those times of our lives we spent being in certain places, experiencing traveling about, colleges attended, people we knew and often think about today, and feelings of regret we did not do this or do that instead of what we actually did, haunt our memories all the time as we get older. I only wished I could have enjoyed, with a longer life of course, the times back in 1909 where Mr. Reilly shows so dramatically in his articles. The only period of my life I absolutely hated, because of the sociality of it all, were the 1970's. More on this later.

Good times in Boston.....I , however, did not really appreciate it at the time as I was still very much finding my way; it was a confusing time for many reasons. You made a good point and one I could relate to....about feelings of regret, and looking back now and thinking of how we would have done things differently perhaps. Guess that happens with most of us. I know now as I get older and time seems to just fly by (now I know what my grandmother was talking about!!), I wish I had appreciated and savored much more many things and times in my past. But I guess there really is no sense dwelling on that.....best to just focus on the here and now and appreciate that. Of course, I will always reminisce about my train travels and other enjoyable, memorable times.

Wayne Reilly's depictions of history, especially of the history of Bangor, Maine, and all it comprised of, seems to make our very minds wander into our own life's past. The place we grew up, the people we knew, the friends - and enemies - we had, the cars we bought, homes we lived in...apartments, too, the good and bad times, schools we attended and the teachers, the stupid things we said and did, and also those not-so-stupid decisions we made; and those special memories which we seem to long for every day - more-so as we grow older. Well, all composed, it certainly makes for great education of life that we can pass onto others. Just as you said, your grandmother gave you her opinions, and now you realize exactly what she was talking about. People never change. Only the years go by.

In one posting you made a while back, you mentioned to another blogger that you have a son who will be heading to Washington, DC soon. I'm positive you have already counseled him on the do's and dont's. Let's see if he minds you! I did not mind my mother, and went "my own way", but now wished to heck I followed her direction; although I was really a good boy and still 'am today. If we study the song, "My way", I guess this says it all in verse.

Everyone wishes they could change something, ma'am. Gee, no matter what we do right, there would always be something we regret and wished we did differently. I wonder if Mr. Wayne Reilly ever considered doing something different other than to be a journalist and author? If he got personal with you, he too, would allude to the "yes" answer, I'll bet'cha!

Cre8RoyalPalm: My oldest son currently lives in Miami with his long time girlfriend; both work full-time and attend college (she is in graduate school for hospital administration.) They are in their mid and late 20's. They plan to move to the Wash DC area in a couple of yrs. They both are very interested in government, politics, history so this is part of the appeal. Also to be nearer to New England (and Maine) again than they are. My son has a very good head on his shoulders and so does she. I think they will do fine. But of course no matter how old our children get, we still worry and always hope for the best.

I would have liked to have been a photo-journalist , I would say. Or maybe mostly a photographer....and traveled even more on trains! How about you?

Something happened to the sending of my first comment. I will try it again:

It is fascinating that your son and his girlfriend, hopefully, prospective fiancee, share duplicate interests. When they are ready to head up north to Washington, DC, we wish them the best in their future. Take a close look at Washington DC's crime rates, though. Best to do some demographic checks before they decide on which borough to reside in, and the rest of the dangers, before they look at the positive things about DC.

I took Political Science in Boston when I attending my four-year degree program there. My focus was to go into politics, which I eventually did. However, the few short years I spent in politics I found out, were too corruptive and nasty. Politicians don't care, do not listen and always get caught in their own atmospheric bubble. I changed my college curriculum fast, and eventually went into another more worthwhile and satisfying profession.

I think your interest in photo-journalism is wonderful. I always enjoyed cameras, and the many types of film and lenses, and shutter-speeds, focus options, etc, you could do with them. Now, everything is digital. When Spike Webb was running all over Bangor doing photo-journalism for the BDN some years back, he used one of those "aim-and-shoot, slip-and-slide" cameras that resembled a big, black box with stainless steel "things" all over it. No more. You take the picture without looking through any lens or view-finder, snap the photo, take the camera to the office/home, write the article on the computer, plug the camera to it, insert the photo, and there you have it.

I personally knew Fran Prather, a photo-journalist for LIFE Magazine. She retired at the age of 35 years old or so, following a great (and hazardous) life taking LIFE's photos during WW II and Korea wars. Later, she went into business for herself in a southern Midwestern state, and became successful in her own right in this career path as well.

Me? Well, you speak about trains. Maybe later on when Mr. Reilly gets off 1909, and into the transitive era around the mid 1920's or so when trains were coming onto the scene across the world and in the USA as well, snaking rail lines moving in all directions as fast as thrown paint on a wall, we can really speak about trains. I doubt this will be anytime soon. Isn't he supposed to be someplace in Bangor signing his new book? If you missed him, too bad. This was your opportunity to advise him to do something about trains, or something else but 1909". This is not so interactive when Mr. Reilly speaks of Ships, etc, and we speak of trains. But I guess it is okay. BDN has not thrown us off like he did to some others who were naughty boys and girls! You just do not get me onto one of those "bullet trains" which can go faster than a plane can travel safely. If I could go that fast on the ground, I would rather fly.

I agree about the "bullet trains"....just not the same, and do not interest me at all. Everything going by in a fast blur....no thank you!

Who did Mr. Reilly "kick off", if I understood you correctly? I was sorry to miss him recently at the Bangor Public Library, but I had to go to a graduation. It must have been interesting to meet him and hear him talk about his book.

My son will not be working in politics per se in Wash DC.....not that I know of. They just want to live in that area of the country, but not necessarily Washington DC proper or even Georgetown. These young people in their 20's, now living in Miami, are not as fearful of crime as we older folks, I do not think. That does not mean they are reckless or not cognizant of the dangers, however. Time will tell....maybe they will end up living somewhere else. The reality is that there is not a heck of a lot of opportunity in the state of Maine for young people.

The BDN proposed that they eliminate some of those posters; or put them on severe notice not to perpetuate their style and purpose of comments any more. We all know who they are. I do not understand a lot of comments made by those particulars, and do not understand, nor will ever elaborate, not comment in retort to those bloggers who disrupt a sensible and intelligent commentary.

This site, or any other site, ma'am, is not to be utilized for the promotion of any self-propaganda or self-promotion of social or personal welfare. This is according to the BDN registration policies, and not my rules. Mr. Reilly did not personally "kick-off" anyone, he does not have the authority to do so, but those who are not blogging anymore, unless they are under other assumed user names, have at least curtailed and terminated their similar and derogatory style of comment post's. Thank God for that! Actually, there were two to four of them that destroyed the site. Most of the comments now, are moral and without harm to the others as we see now.

As far as your theory of the State of Maine; unfortunately, as far as employment and assuming a viable and career-path lifestyle is concerned, there really is not too much opportunity. That is, unless you happen to be in the "family business", assumed from generations of previous relatives, passed-on to grandchildren or future sanguinity. To stratify this; or else you are friends of the business owner. In either case, generally businesses in Maine do not reap the high-potential value of anyone making themselves rich at all. I left Maine in the early 1960's. Since that time, my life has been totally rewarding in more ways than one, and that "one" being blessed with a great job and high income. This is too bad, unfortunate for those kids going to college in Maine, and hoping to remain living and working in Maine. I have read many reports (comments) about those who want to leave the great State of Maine for positions that will give them at least a livable wage. The danger in this is that those folks do not really consider their home; where they will reside and the high cost of residency in other states, and the cost of living they will encounter. Bringing in out-of-state enterprises still will not work for Mainers; as they will be forced to work for the wealthy, ownership moguls of the out-of-state conglomerates.

Everybody wants to live fairly well, but nobody can live hand-to-mouth. They cannot do this raising a family. Not everyone in Maine does this, but nowadays, it is best to seek jobs and a future elsewhere, as Maine has become an almost totally service-job state. Minimum-wage jobs and working in the many "service industries", cannot provide a "dream life" (and this is CAN be attained). I will not mention where I reside, but in order for me, at least, to get out of Maine and make "it", I had to leave the state. The Governor of Maine is trying his best to provide for his people - the taxpayers - to make a life for themselves, and the congressional and senatorial folks are also cognizant and recognize the importance to their constitutients. Now, I don't want to make a triad on the importance of leaving Maine or staying in Maine, however, Maine really cannot provide the impetus for a lifestyle that most folks desire. The problem is, just where is that lifestyle available?

Now, maybe we can move along and see what Mr. Reilly has in store for his new article in a day or two. By the way, "chersully2000", it is much valued to be commenting back and forth with you. You seem to be a very nice person and have raised your family very well.

More very interesting commentary from you. I did not realize you no longer live in Maine. But not surprising, I guess. This has been the case for many.

Yes, I understand about certain posters. How the BDN will determine who is allowed to come back on or not, I really have no idea. There was one poster in particular (used more than one username) who was beyond obnoxious and trouble-making! It was horrible. Hope that is the end of that!

And was not referring to the gentleman from NYC above (but he would know that.)