Mr. Reilly, you know, there is really nothing "new" when the criminals outweigh the law enforcement in means of transportation, armor, technology or whatever-else, even in 1909 or in 2009.

The article narration above is funny, as viewed from the 2009 desk and comfortable leather chair and wide-screen computer screen in front of me. One could visualize the antics, frustration, excitement, dust, smoke, chugging of the old car engine and mashing of the gears, yelling and screaming and the nervousness all combined in the Harmon/Spinney roustabout. I would venture a thoughtful guess that the preponderance of the law for illegal and bootlegged liquor back then, held as much weight as illegal contra-banded drugs do today.

In 1909, the Bangor Police Department, was housed in the "old" Bangor City Hall, (demolished in Urban Renewal in 1969 as ongoing reconstruction of Bangor) in the basement, located at the corner of Hammond and Columbia Streets, and facing West Market Square (towards where the W. T. Grant building was to later be erected), was the, then, a central location of activity. In 1939, by the way, the Bangor Police Department relocated to the current Court Street location. As a side-note, the "old" Bangor City Hall was originally called the Samuel F. Hersey Building; the cornerstone of which was laid on July 4th, 1893. The "old" Bangor City Hall, not only housed the Bangor Police Department, but also had a large auditorium for musical and theatrical events, graduations, agricultural and other fairs and events. The City Hall was "transferred" into the old Post Office Building in 1967; and the "old" City Hall, the Samuel F. Hersey Building was demolished in 1969.

But, no matter how progressive the Bangor Police Department may have been in attempting to catch up with the ever-mobilized crooks, 'leggers, bookies, out-of-state thugs and gangs, etc, seems they always met their match with the BPD! I have no idea exactly when radios came to inception in the automobiles and "paddy wagons" the Bangor Police Department had at their disposal, but I think it may have been around the early 1930's. Telephones were used in some manner, rather than radios. "You cannot outrun the police car radios", was the saying when I had my first car in 1956. Although it was attempted on a couple of occasions! The radios always won the race.

The Queen City Patrolman, William H. Gehigan did ride a bicycle as Mr. Reilly mentioned. Actually, Officer "Cousin Will" Gehigan entered Bangor Police service in 1908 at the age of 37 (at the time the minimum height was 5'8" tall and the maximum age was no older than 40 years when first appointed and be able to read and write English), spent a total of 23 years on the Bangor Police Department force, covered every beat in the City of Bangor, so it was no wonder in 1909, right after he first began his "beat", he was assigned to the mode of transportation a lot of cops in major cities around the world use today - the bicycle! Novel concept back in 1909, but nevertheless, I guess a bike could easily catch a running law-breaker fast enough, and pop him over the head with a billy-club as he rode by!

More fascinating information about Bangor's past......and I think Cre8RoyalPalm knows as much about this area as just about anyone....amazing!

I love reading of the Gehigan history. My GMa was a Geoghegan and the spelling changed into many names, Gegan,Geagan, Gagin, Gehigan and more. My GMa's sister arrived first to stay with Gehigan relatives on Walter Street in the 1890's.

I am

Carolanne

There seems to be a lot of Geagans in this area!

"mzbags", Walter Street in Bangor was located near the old Bangor Gas Works, and what a smell it created! Walter Street, off Main Street, had a very steep hill at the end of it, heading up Walter from Main. On the old maps of Bangor, circa 1853, Walter Street, along with Barker, Davis and Sidney Streets were known as "in the ravine"; the low sections. In the wintertime, many kids would slide down the hill on toboggans, sleds and even pieces of cardboard boxes. One nice family who resided on Walter Street were the Dwyer's (no relatives at all). Francis worked at the Railway Express Agency (REA) at the train station, and his wife, Vivian, was an R.N., who was employed at the Eastern Maine General. They had only one child, Angela, who eventually married a Fire Chief - I think in Biddeford, Maine. I also think the Dwyer name is Irish. Those names in the 6/22/09, 5:17 posting also were of Irish descent.

Due to the immigrant influx to Bangor and Brewer and outlying areas, Bangor had the majority of immigrants reside in the confluence of Washington, York, Hancock Streets, along the Penobscot River area, and Irish, French, Italian, Polish and eastern European Jewish gathered in this area. This is where the primary concentration of Bangor Police would be active, and also the Exchange Street area as well. The Bangor Police really had a difficult time of it with all these groups intermingled, and then with the neighborhood "toughs" in other parts of the city. Many names of the original inhabitants seemed to get homogenized somehow, over time. This still is actively a big part of the history of Bangor.

http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/108773.html

Modern train travel in the Wash DC area. I do enjoy the writing of Meg Adams.

Cre8RoyalPalm, thanks so much for your input. I love reading of that time in my Grandparents lives. My uncle John was fire chief in Bangor for many years, and my GF worked at that Bangor Gas company. Most of mine lived on Merrimac early on, then moved to homes they bought on Maple. I am still trying to find the original cousin, of my Geoghegan line, who lived at 50 Walter St in 1890ish......My Grandfather, a Neligan/Nelligan, arrived and lived with cousin John, in 1894, on Hancock..it was..The Old Very Rt.Rev's home, when he was a child....129 Hancock. early 1900 many house numbers were changed, so it makes the search a bit harder

I am, Carolanne

6/23/09-7:30AM: Very interesting. The story you just told us about Bangor, in your Grandparents' time, certainly shows that the migration of residents moved from the original "Joppa" district, to the outlying and ever-expanding areas of Bangor. In the late 1800's (from 1855 on to about 1930, many new homes were built in the city, as the street layouts were being capitalized on from the purchase of properties and new homes.

On Merrimac Street, there were many smaller homes, but quite comfortable in their design and type. This was near the Saint John's Catholic Church, if my mind still serves me right, but actually one block from Maple. Maple Street is that wider Street that intersects with State, Garland and up to Mount Hope Avenue. I see a map right now that shows the homes that were already established, and Maple is nearly bare of built homes. The map is circa 1880's; although Bangor at the time this map was drawn, is already a developed city.

When our immigrant families became situated in Bangor, they relocated to less denser parts of town; and larger, more private homes. Your story shows a typical example. Nice jobs were available. "Stick-to-it-iveness", job pride and job security was the hallmark of the day.

6/22/09-11:13PM: Meg Adams always writes fascinating depictions and narrations of her travels. Although I have been to a lot of those places Meg writes about (due to the job I had - now well-retired), seems the stories and places she tells seem never to change the atmosphere and culture of those places. I have not had the opportunity to catch the latest article as you mentioned concerning train travel, ma'am, but I'm off to this in a few short minutes. I lived in Alexandria, Virginia and DC on a couple of occasions, near the Baltimore area. To tell you the truth, I dislike Baltimore, Maryland with a passion. Not my kind of city! Remember, however, there were still train accidents back "then"! Lots of them "jumped the tracks" or simply bumped into one another on the lines. I recall there always was a "switcher"; a live person at the controls of a device which moved the track from one to another, so trains could pass each other safely. Then, as now, there were the electric red, blue, green lights that were supposed to tell the engineer something or other. Even those black and while metal "flags" that would pop up, again telling the engineer something. When the engineer passed a concrete standard painted black and white with the letter "W" on it, that meant, "blow the whistle". Sad to hear of the recent commuter line accident in DC a couple of days ago. It will be interesting to see what the results of the investigation brings. As far as we know, it was a head-on crash. Inattention could be one cause.

I hope I don't ramble on, as I intended to make this thread short; but as little kids in Bangor, we always enjoyed going to the area across from Grotto Cascade Park, crossing State Street, and over the tracks to the riverside to throw rocks. We loved to put our ear to the tracks to "listen" for the coming trains. It was our delight to put a penny or a nickel on the tracks; when the train passed, the coin was flatter than apiece of paper. On a few occasions, somehow, the train fell off the track and onto the bank near the river. Quite a drop; maybe 20-feet or so!

Let me try again; the Internet is fouling up somehow.

Merrimac Street was located near Saint John's Catholic Church, I think. Then, Maple Street is just a block or so away from Marrimac. There were a number of smaller homes dotted along Merrimac, smaller style homes, but comfortable. Now, Maple Street was a wider street than most of those crossing Garland to Mount Hope Avenue. I was once told the reason for the wider Maple Street design was because there was to be a trolley line running up the center of that street; although it was, apparently, decided not to put in the rail system for some reason.

The 1890 map I have at my house of Bangor, shows hand-drawn homes and business buildings in exact the same type that are on the streets today. Much intense and painstaking work had to be done in order to draw this map. To top this off, the map is shown from an aerial viewpoint, so the artist/s, whoever he/they may be, sure did a good job on this map. No aircraft flew at this time.

Those immigrants, most, like yours, as well as mine, just may have relocated or purchased homes along the newly-built streets in Bangor, and the newly-built homes along those streets, spreading outwards from the central district, being the waterfront, Hancock, Exchange, Washington, York, and other streets inside this encompassment. Neighborhoods were already situated.

To answer "chersully2000", yes, ma'am, I will get over to Meg Adams' site in a few minutes. The area she is in now, the Baltimore, Maryland area, is very much not to my taste and liking! I resided in Alexandria, Virginia and Washington, DC, Hopewell, Virginia and also in Bethesda, Maryland at various times in my life. They always had train service in these cities. I enjoyed riding those trains. Sometimes, we would watch the hobo's running alongside the cars, trying to crouch underneath on the cross-members under the framework, going to wherever their next destination was. Conductors could not see the hobo's. Reminds me of the times as a child when I would go to Grotto Cascade Park (throw things in the water on top of the falls near the pump enclosed in a green-painted "house", and run like heck to the bottom sluth to see if we can beat whatever we threw in the water), cross State Street, and slide down the 20-foot embankment to riverside to throw rocks. Sometimes, the hobo's would be resting over the bank, ready to catch the northbound freight trains as they glided by (clikety-clikety-clack, clickety-clickety-clack) on the rails between the EMGH and the waterworks building. They had "canned heat" to drink, strained through very red handkerchief's, and mulligan stew they made, right there near the polluted Penobscot. Us kids were never abused or did anything bad happen to us by those hobo's. Wish I could go back and relive it as a child all over again.

Sorry for the double "almost alike" postings. I thought the first post made at 4:37Pm never made it on the comment section. It did not appear on my screen when i made the next comment at 7:24. Great Internet technology we have.

Cre8RoyalPalm: Yes, I picked up on that computer "glitch" earlier....your comments did not seem to get posted here until some delay.

Yes, so horrible and sad about the metro train crash yesterday in Wash DC. It will be interesting to hear of further evaluations and results. There is some talk of some possible computer error that factored in to this. Although train travel is pretty safe overall, unfortunately there is a bad accident every so often. I love riding the train and always will. I much prefer to be above ground and watch the world go by, though, than be under some dark tunnel (ugh!) But when one lives near these big urban areas (as in the case currently with Meg Adams in Baltimore), one has to endure the underground travel through some of those long tunnels.

I have not been to Baltimore in years and years, so not sure what my reaction would be now. I have heard they have made some wonderful improvements to the waterfront area there, as in Providence, R.I. I do recall after all these years though, those brownstones in Baltimore (well, more like red stone bldgs), rather narrow, with stoops, and very close together. Made quite an impression on me the first time I saw that city. There was a feeling of "loneliness" I picked up on, but I am sure some of the neighborhoods there now are lively with all kinds of ethnic restaurants and shops and probably have a certain warmth and character.

Cre8RoyalPalm: I enjoy reading all your recollections of Bangor....you have quite a memory. Yes, Maple Street is the widest of the side streets, and lined with many nice trees. Leafy and quite shady in the summer, with many lovely older and well-maintained houses. Many of these homes are beautifully decorated at the holidays.

I have read quite a bit about the Hancock, York Street area in Bangor's earlier days. Never a dull moment....and a very "active" and colorful area, it seems.(with all kinds of "exchanges" going on.) It is much changed now, of course. York Street is still the home of St John's Catholic Church and two of Bangor's 3 synagogues. Also the large Phillips Strickland Home (assisted living, etc.) is on York St (also fronts State Street)

I enjoyed your commentary on the hobos found near the railroad tracks in days long past. We tend to forget these parts of the past unless sometimes reminded by our reading of history and others' past experiences and memories (such as yourself.)

Cre8RoyalPalm: Not to be intrusive, but these stories and times you write of so intimately, it seems, were way before my time.....and I have adult children in their 20's and a 6 yr old granddaughter. You have a child just 16 and lived in Bangor at the time of the hobos????

I checked-in with CNN already and Wolf Blitzer reported that a woman, who had just passed her operator's test on the Metro train about a year ago, was the operator. The train was on "automatic"; estimating, I guess, that the computerization from the main central office, to the line and train which caused the accident was operational at the time. The operator had depressed the "mushroom" well before the accident happened, meaning she depressed the emergency brake system. Whether it failed of not, I don't know.

Bangor had two noted accidents where trains were involved. One, in 1871 in August, an 8-car train was crossing the Tin Bridge on outer Main Street, when the heavy train collapsed the Tin Bridge. I think there were two killed and many passengers injured. Dry rot was the reason for the bridge collapse.

Then, in April 1895, a train owned and operated by Maine Central Railroad traveling in heavy mist collided with an Old Town local train, striking it head-on. This happened in Veazie. The MCRR train was delayed and unbeknown to the Old Town engineer, here came the MCRR train on the same track. One railroad fireman got killed and again, passengers were injured.

Did you know that the first train, well one of the first trains in the US was in Bangor, in 1836, running between Bangor and Old Town? The name of the train was "Pioneer". There may be some history on this you can pick up. Interesting about trains in Bangor. By the way, I have pictures at the house where me and my father went to Union Station in Bangor, when the last steam locomotive run by Maine Central Railroad (engine number 470) was replaced by diesel engines. This was the last run in 1954. We had crossed the three tracks and the "switcher" and got over near the "switch house", and watched the engine steam past with the Pullman cars in tow!

I used to walk Maple Street often with girlfriends (one at a time) during the snowy, winter December late afternoons, crunching the sidewalk snow with my galoshes and holding mitten-wrapped hands together, observing all those beautiful Christmas lights and decorations. We were always loving the glitter and glisten of the decorative lights of all colors, playing "sparkles" on the snow in front of the homes. Up one side, and down the other side we would walk. We did not dare to kiss too much, because our lips would freeze together, so told us by my girlfriends' mothers!

Yes, ma'am...I married late because of employment and obligations, and so the same with my wife. Yes, I do remember the hobo's very well. My friends and I would ride our bikes quite a distance to get to the riverside to throw rocks and play in the park across the street. Mr. Hurd (or was it Mr. Baker; no, it was Mr. Hurd) was one of the employees at the waterworks and he would always be watchful for us. We would bring mustard sandwiches to the hobo's to eat and they liked them...they ate them, anyway. Sometimes, the hobo's would run alongside the train at Portland station and try to get the passengers to throw money to them. "TWO BIT'S PLEASE!", was their plea. In Bangor station, they did not do this, as the police would blow their whistles at the hobo's and chase them out of the station, or arrest them for loitering.

More fascinating commentary! I do hope you enjoy where you live now as much as your earlier days in Bangor. But of course, those were different times, and so Bangor is much changed from those days as well.

You made me smile with your descriptions of walking in the snow on Maple Street with past girlfriends..."one at a time"!!! All the holidays then seemed to be more magical somehow. I am sure it was wonderful walking down Maple Street and area during the holidays in those times.

I thought perhaps you married later (not that it is any of my business!) I did not marry young either, but not late either (in my 30's and had my children then.) It is wonderful to have children , whether when young or older. David Letterman was in his late 50's when he had his first (and only) child, son Harry. He has said it is the best thing to ever happen to him.

I recall the days when kids played near the railroad tracks....much more than today. But then, children today are too busy with organized activities it seems, and not so much time for imaginative-type play. Too bad. That must have been so wonderful to see, with your father, the last train pull into Union Station. I have thought often of how much I would love it if that train station still existed (other than just in photos and memories!) I never saw it, as I did not grow up here in Maine. I loved the train station in New Haven, Conn....and of course, Grand Central Station in NYC.

Like David Letterman, I, too, married in my mid 40's, and when I was 51, we had our first and only child. My wife, never married before, was 38 years old. The boy was perfect in health and is now about 6'1" tall. I do not know what is in the water, as they say, but someone may be putting growth hormones in it! Our son is the best thing that ever happened to me, too. He has made us proud of him, already.

So much for Wayne's article on the Bangor Police Department. Well, I guess the BDN don't mind too much. Yes, holidays "back then" were memorable, even though we did not know it at the time, we were making personal and wonderful memories for us to enjoy later on in life. When Bangor had the Christmas lights, those colorful, white, green, red and blue lights strung across Main Street downtown, and shoppers would buzz in and out of all the stores, Christmas shopping and all, with snowflakes falling onto the wet street and sidewalks. Trying to find that one special present for mom or dad or someone else, in Freeses, Rine's, Sears, Henry Segal's, Sleepers, The Boston Store, W. T. Grant's, F. W. Woolworths and Newberry's, and many other stores were always with their own private ambiance and ready to serve you. I think it was Freeses' who first went to out-of-state purchase; it was Gorin Brothers who bought them out in '57.

Yes, but the only reason I chose Maple Street, was where none of my rivals could find me and my girlfriend (s). We also chose to walk along French Street and up through the surrounding homes of Broadway Park. Walking was really enjoyable. Conversations much more memorable, rather than driving around in a car with the radio on. I enjoyed many activities and although I was fortunate enough to get excellent grades in school, I was popular with the girls. In '56 I had my own car, but still liked to "walk around, slow and easy". I still do to this day.

Well, the "last train" was ONLY the last steam locomotive. This was the day they replaced ALL the locomotives with diesel. Was not Grand Central Station in NYC either torn down for some reason, or was it developed into something else? There was controversy over that, I remember. I have not been to the Big Apple for some time, now. My mom and dad and I went to New York City many times, and took the train every time! I loved the ride. The only place I remember in Connecticut, was Weathersfield. I followed one of my old flames there when her father kicked her out of their house in Brewer because she failed in school that year (not because of me, though). When I finally found her, her older brother (who was already married) came outside and told me she was "PG". Well, he said it was not mine, and I abruptly forgot her in less than a minute or so, as I headed back to Bangor as fast as I could. I did not want "conversations" with her brother at all! Whatever happened to Debbie, I will never know!

Glitch????

Be Careful.

Cre8RoyalPalm: My goodness....your posts get more and more interesting all the time....if that is possible! I had to laugh when reading the part about your following the girl down to Wethersfield, Conn and the brother, etc. What a hoot!

Got to run now but will have more to say later. As for Grand Central Station in NYC.....I have not been there in many years now either, but from what I know it is pretty much the same and was never taken down,etc. Just renovations of course, but I think it is mostly in its original state.

Cre8RoyalPalm: Just lost the whole post I had written! Will try again.

Your son sounds like a very intelligent and great young person. You must be so proud and enjoy him so much.

I, like you, love to walk just about anywhere. I love to experience all the sights and sounds. It is so much more soothing, healthy and pleasant to walk and take in one's surrounding. I really enjoy exploring new places, whether cities, towns, or rural places. One can see so much even walking around a city....if one keeps one's eyes' open, one can see so many birds, among other life.

Yes, Maple Street in Bangor is one of those great places to walk. It is appealing at any season. There are so many houses of character on that street and interesting architectural details and design. I can imagine that quite a bit of Christmas caroling when on on that street and close-by in days gone by.

You brought back good memories of shopping in those great department stores (well, for me, it was in Connecticut) but many of those same stores. (Woolworths, W.T. Grants,etc.) We had many an adventure when we were young spending many hours of pleasure in those wonderful stores. The ones today do not hold that same "mystery" and fascination,unfortunately.

Oh, see...you had the same problem I thought I had. Maybe the BDN is updating something in their system and when some comments come in, they are lost in time and space somewhere. But one of mine came back, posted, and I had to try again, making a fool out of myself. Oh, well. Won't be the first time!

Yeah, our son somehow developed a high IQ in the 138 range. Now, it is up to him to use the capacity. What gets our goat is that he enjoys playing some computer game. When it is time to eat, or go to school or do homework, he is still clicking-clacking away on the keyboard playing that everlasting stupid game! I told him if he keeps this up, he will "wear" the computer screen. He looked at me and laughed. But, his grades are in the 95% (no lower) GPA at his private school. He has already passed his college entrance exams (2 of them) for political science; for him to go into law, or pre-med; for his interest in psychiatry. We have to support his curves in learning and abilities. He does all right, though, and is a good boy.

We enjoy walking near the ocean. We live west of Maine, but often, I miss the Acadia National Park area, the Maine beaches, or simply going up to Pushaw Lake and sitting on one of the rocks as you come into the entrance area near the boat slip, and just watching the fish swim by in the water, the birds and the little kids enjoying themselves. I'm not really much of an "on-the-water" guy at all. My style is to be near the water, not on it. I thought about this as I blogged on Wayne's last article about the "white steamers". We do have a pool at our home, but it is my desire to just float around on the "air chair" with the slot in it to keep the beer cold. (This is just a regular lounge chair which has inflatable sides and underneath so you can float around on top of the water). That's my desire and mindset about "water sports".

I guess we, as adults now, never forget memories of the past, which actually are in our minds just as they were "yesterday". Without this capacity, I, like others, would never be able to write such descriptiveness. One thing about Bangor and that are the parks that were built as the city grew. Isn't this a prime example of the culture of life in the mid 1800's to the mid 20th Century - the mid 1900's? I realize you grew up in Connecticut, but Bangor boasted about 11 parks. They are, in alpha-order; Bass, Cascade, Center, Chapin Park (City Commons) Davenport, Hayford, Kenduskeag Mall, Maplewood, Norembega Parkway, Riverside and Summit Parks. (I think another park is added now, and that being the one off Howard Street near Stillwater Avenue). This was the rest and relaxation ('"druthers") people partook of; picnics, bands, concerts, playgrounds, small wading pools...what-have-you, or simple strolling about. Bangor's streets also provided the pleasure of strolling, like we are mentioning. Seemed all neighborhoods were pleasant to walk down through their streets.

Hello, "Telefunkenu47". Yup, sometimes I have problems with the BDN website/Internet connections. The worse time for me to post is after 12:00 am up to 5:00 am. I think your handle has something to do with a rock group, but to add; I still have a big Telefunken stereo/reel-to-reel tape deck/am/fm set at my house I brought back from Germany in the 1970's. Finish on it is so shiny, smooth, and it is still working very well.

Cre8RoyalPalm: I am not so sure that I did not hit something inadvertently earlier, and that is why I lost that post.....in that case, I don't think it was the BDN!

Your son sounds like he is doing just fine. My oldest son went through the gifted and talented program in the Brewer school system. He is now 28, and is still going for another college degree. I think that is great. He loves history and sure knows a lot about that subject. My other son, age 25, has always loved video games, much to my chagrin at times! He is smart too, but not always as motivated in his academics as he could be. He is real sports lover and was quite a talented baseball player. Young people today grew up with all the technology....a mixed proposition indeed, in my opinion.

Yes, the city of Bangor has many wonderful parks. You named the majority of them. I wonder if you have seen Cascade Park in recent yrs, across from the huge Eastern Maine Medical Center. Many brides get married in the lovely Chapin Park now with the artificial pond and waterfall and lovely flora. Yes, there is a really large park off Howard Ave near Stillwater Ave.....I think it might be named Stillwater Park. I do not know about Maplewood? But there is also Fairmount Park right in the residential Fairmount Park area (Norway Rd, Silver Rd.etc.) Beautiful , elegant homes there.....one of my favorite areas. (not far from the golf course,etc.) Went Christmas caroling in that neighborhood several yrs ago. So nice to have all these parks in the city.

You say you live west of Maine and near the ocean....guess that would place you far away, near the Pacific....or at least , that is what my geography tells me. Well, maybe not. Unless you mean southwest direction from Maine......of course that would not rule out the Jersey coast, Delaware,etc. I hope you like where you live now and I think you indicated you do. Hope there are many concerts and parks where you now reside.

I have always loved the ocean. Growing up near Long Island Sound , I was always in the water (altho' never liked to dive!).... always was swimming, fishing, boating. I even water-skiied some when younger, but not for many years. Now my exercise is mostly walking!

I just saw an interesting segment on the local news about a local woman who just turned 100. (Orono) She looks wonderful for her age, and sharp as can be. She advised eating lots of vegetables and fruits, walk a lot (she still walks a mile a day!) and "never smoke", she said!

I mistakenly strike the wrong key sometimes and lose my comment, but I know that I send the comment, but the notice on my screen said "No Internet connection to this website".

So, your son is into History? That's wonderful. I took an extra course in History, and ended up graduating from the entire curriculum with a 4-year degree in it. Although that is not my discipline, it struck profound interest. One article, about a local congressperson in Maine and the "Native American Veteran's Day" thing, prompted me to answer a commenter just a few minutes ago concerning history of the "Indians". People are way off the beam when they think they know about the history of the earth and cultures. If you can, run over to page 2 of the site and check it out, as my comment is last one down.

Yes, seems there is a new cultural attitude now with all this technology at hand. Asia is far ahead of the US in their technology in many ways, and a lot of folks do not realize this. The Asian countries had to institute new laws governing this ergonomical phenomenon. Do you think that eventually, with this Internet and more electronic advertising and service being provided, that the U. S. Postal Service will eventually become a measure of past governmental departments? I sort-of think so, but not quite right now. It is on the horizon, however! There still must be some more additions to the Internet capabilities here in the US before we get into what some other countries are doing. Anyway, I already receive some of my billings via Internet. The reason why the service providers of those of which I have such as water, electricity, telephone and car payments, send their billing to me via the Internet, along with amortized statements on request - immediately, without delay; and I also pay the bills electronically and never leave the house to buy stamps, is that they actually save money in personnel time, snail-mail time, less errors, and no lost mail, plus the cost of mailing is exorbitant.

Last time I was in Bangor was in 2001. As a government employee, we get a month off, plus (depending on grade and time in service). The nostalgic trip back to Bangor was brief, as my wife had obligations otherwise with our son. Although the time I spent walking and driving about the Bangor - Bar Harbor area was fascinating. Brought back many stories of the past. I never saw anyone I knew back then, nor wanted to, except one man and his wife who are dear friends to us, who live off Broadway in Bangor.

Some of those parks I mentioned just may be gone now. Some new ones added. I think getting married in the park, anywhere, is nice. I think a long-former and popular Bangor attorney and his wife, named Stern, lived in the area of Silver Road (or vicinity). With the unfortunate passing in the car accident of the son, Marshal Stern a few years ago, I think his brother assumed the house. I do not know if he still owns or resides there or not.

Yes, we are near the Pacific, all right! I would not ever want to live where there is 7 months of cold weather, which, is so unacclimatized to my body and soul now, I would stay inside all the time. Although the fall and springtime is beautiful. So is summer in Maine.

The last paragraph you mentioned is typical of my lifestyle now. I always eat fruit in the morning, lots of yogurt every day, vegetables (mostly) for lunch and dinner with very little meat, and NO pork or fish at all (because of my religion and the fact pork is too fatty and unclean), and I just do not like fish at all except swordfish and some other blue-water fish. Absolutely NO lobsters, crabs or bottom-feeders at all. Yuck! I never smoked in my life. I do not drink, but three beers a day in the afternoon around 2 to 4 pm. We eat early, at 5:00pm and are in bed by 6:30 or 7:00 pm daily; arising at 4:am for the 1-mile jog and weight-lifting. I'm 66, "chersully2000", and do not look a day over 40. Still excellent health, as is my wife and son. Still with blond hair, original teeth and smooth skin. It will be God's decision as to how and when I go through those Pearly Gates, but I'm not pushing it. 43 more years to go and I, too, will be 100 - I hope! Would I still be blogging? Would the technology still be with us? Who would take over Mr. Reilly's column? Will the "history" be that of the 1940's, 50's?

I'm going to get in trouble for making this a long blog, but ever notice that the cars are beginning to look like they did back in the 1930's and 1940's again? Except with no fenders and running boards. The "coupe" look...the "no-trunk" look; boxy, simple designs. Everything old is new again. Could it be...could it be, Mr. Reilly and "chersully2000", that the Bangor Police Department just may want to save money for the high cost of gasoline, OR, that gasoline is not so prevalent 34 years from now when I turn 100 years old, that bicycle transportation for cops, like William Gehigan rode through Bangor's parks, will again make a comeback?

Correction: I meant to say above...."Many brides (well, couples!) now get married at Cascade Park" (not Chapin Park, as I mistakenly typed.)

I am soon going to check out your comment on the "Native American Veteran's Day." I had read a few comments there yesterday. I think the Veteran's Day we have should be sufficient to recognize and honor all veterans, but perhaps I am wrong and others disagree.

Yes, the cost of mailing is exorbitant but recall the pleasure in the "old days" of preparing all my Christmas cards to send, and then going to the Post Office a wk or so before the big day and everyone waiting in line to get their stamps or mail their packages, some waiting till almost the last minute. It was fun and exciting. Once I remember not having the time or money until Christmas Eve afternoon to do most all my shopping one Christmas many yrs ago in Conn and taking the bus home, loaded down with all my pckgs. Things were not as easy as some have it today.

I thought you might live out near the Pacific. Beautiful part of the country and a temperate kind of climate in parts of Calif,etc. I do like the East Coast and New England, though, but have lived in New England all my life. Spent a summer in Sacramento in the late 60's; I was not sold on that part of Calif. I somehow like all 4 seasons with Fall maybe being my favorite.

Yes, that car accident was so unfortunate and do not know if Mr Stern's brother is still in the area.

You seem to have healthy habits that should serve you well. I love all kinds of fish and seafood myself. Also eat chicken and turkey sometimes, but hardly ever red meat. You cannot eat fish at all? I never smoked in my life either....ugh! I am glad my older son quit after smoking for about 4 yrs. I do like a glass (or 2 or 3!) of red wine now and then. I love this chicken salad dish at the Whig & Courier downtown Bangor; it also has walnuts and cranberries in it. They serve it with fresh fruit too. Excellent. Wow, you go to be early, and up early. I know a man who has those hrs.....not me! I am kind of a night owl and do walk and exercise (do not jog) but do not do it at 4 AM. Good for you! I thought I had seen posts written by you at 1 AM or so, but must have been mistaken. I have a very light complexion (English and Dutch) so do not sit out in the sun. I know it is not good for one, especially nowadays. I like to get outside and get some sun (vitamin D is essential, especially in these northern climes) but am careful to wear sunscreen and not overdo with the sun.

Being pro-active about one's health is so essential in my opinion.

Thanks for the additional comments. I think what is happening is that the reason why I cannot enter the BDN web, possibly, after 12:00PM, Eastern time, is due to the BDN server shutting-down for upgrading new news and whatever else they do. This is okay with me. I had gotten in the habit of using the laptop in bed and not going to sleep for five hours later, blogging. My sleep hours are changing.

Yes, we have a solitary Veteran's Day for all; but disagreed with one blogger only. Mr. Mitchell is a junior representative. He simply needs to get off the agendas he has carried all his life. He is, however, a very nice man and was a pretty nice guy all his life, though. He was an Island cop once, (for a short time) and someone shot at him on the Island, nearly missing him and hitting the Island Police vehicle instead. This was an unfortunate incident, however Mr. Mitchell's proposal to Governor Baldacci on this matter should have been rejected by the Governor. But, the bill is signed into law now, so let them enjoy their day. Everybody simply has to accept it now. Personally, I have no problems with it other than the Federal law was based upon "all" veteran's; nobody is singled-out ethnically, culturally, color-wise or whatever else.

The mail service may be a thing of the past, as we know and knew it to be. Consolidation of mail service centers are happening country-wide right now! Yes, we all hold vivid and cherished memories of using the post office; as I recall, using the "old post office"; the one where the City Hall is now. Those marble floors sure took punishment during the wet winter months when wet, salty, sandy shoes and boots would track it all inside on the floor. Janitors were always there with buckets and floor mops. The danger were the steps in front of the building. Steep and slippery at times! I think the counter service was the same, in that there were about 5 or 6 "windows" where you would do your mail business at the old post office. The IRS offices were on the second floor; up the winding stairs on the far right, or take that old Otis elevator under the stairs. (I think it was George McGee who serviced all the Otis elevators in Bangor for many years). There was not enough space in the back of the post office building for mail vehicles, eventually, however, when Bangor enjoyed it's "second progressive expansion" in the mid and late 1960's and 1970's, the construction of the Margaret Chase Smith building changed the post office location in 1967. Mail would come by rail at the old train station, be either wheeled on carts or by truck (I witnessed this) from there to the post office, direct up Exchange Street, and over to the post office in front of Sears, where the trucks would enter a separate entrance. Yup, Bangor in those days was sure a nice place to live and work and be educated.

I know that Deane Stern was once a professional magician, of sorts; lived out-of-state. He was a character, and a real nice guy at that. Marshall took over after his dad, a Bangor attorney and I think he was a Senator, also, passed-on. Marshall lived near State Street, on Birch. That long, black Mercedes Marshall drove was a nice vehicle.

About eating. Yes, I can eat fish, but I do not like it. I have had sushi and could never really taste any "fishy" meat at all. I eat chicken once in awhile, but never turkey. Red meat is okay, although I eat it grilled only, and medium-well. My wife stays completely away from red meat. We never eat pork. My taste in liquor is very, very minimal and really do not drink hard liquor at all except expensive imported rum. Never drink it with any kind of soda-pop in it. Completely destroys the originality of the rum.

Yes, you have seen posts written by me at 1:00am. I get up to go to the little boy's room, and check-in with the computer updates to see if I received messages from the office; then slip over to check out BDN comments. Remember, my time zone is a few hours different from yours, so it really is not too late for me. The comments coming in and posted reflect that of the server at the News facility, not the time they are actually sent, etc. I wonder what Mr. Reilly will have in store for us this weekend in his articles? Too, I hope we are not disobeying the rules of registration and privacy policies with our narrations. I guess Mr. Alves has our email addresses, anyway, and if we abridge in any way, he will let us know. Thanks again for your comments, ma'am.

Cre8RoyalPalm: What an interesting username, by the way!

Oh yes, I neglected to take into account the time zone differences....you are in the Pacific Time Zone, hence the differences in time. Of course! Thanks for reminding me of that.

Yes, I believe the folks at the BDN who monitor,etc., this site, have some of our regular email addresses, as I have received a few emails from them regarding various topics, which was helpful.

I like red wine now and then and studies have shown it to be quite beneficial to heart health (in moderation of course,) Maybe that is one reason why some of the European people tend to live longer lives! I do not like to eat too much red meat for certain reasons, but do like chicken and , once in a while, turkey. I love fish of all kinds....and seafood. Do not care for sushi, but have not had it much. I love lobster but have it rarely. I mostly love all vegetables, fruits and just love a good garden salad! I drink lots of tea! (the English in me? My paternal grandfather was born there, and moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin as a young adult.)

Wow, you have an astonishing memory! Love hearing your knowledge of Bangor in past days. It sounded like quite the place to live and frequent in those days! (before my time here.) We moved to Maine in the early 80's. The Post Office located in the Margaret Chase Smith building is okay (with Social Security offices upstairs and other offices including some politician's offices), but I am sure it does not have the character and "mystique" of its previous home where the City Hall is now located. I would have loved seeing the mail come by rail from the old train station!

Yes ma'am, Bangor certainly had a certain kind of "mystique", as you mentioned, all unto itself, it seems. There was just "something about Bangor" that mystifies most of those who lived in the 1920's through into the 1970's. Last time I was in Bangor (2001), I got about the area a lot, and although the roads were full of bumps and potholes, and some of the new-generation folks were utterly sassy and rude, I could not understand what happened to Bangor, as folks there used to be so nice. Not to say now there are a lot of nice people there, there are, but some of those I encountered did not impress me. Because I had a tan, they demanded I was from Florida, even with another accent on my lips. I told them, "No, not Florida...there are other places in the world that have sun."

Going back to the article by Mr. Reilly for a minute, the Bangor Police Department began with bicycles, as shown in the article. I do not know how long bicycles were used in Bangor, but I do remember a "motor-cop", "Brownie", who always drove around on a big motorcycle. I cannot recall if this was a Harley-Davidson or a Triumph. This era was in the 1940's and '50's. Later on than the time Mr. Reilly is telling about, of course. The BPD and also the BFD (Fire Department) had an ongoing history, of sorts, in its own right, in Bangor. It would be nice if these articles would someday (not too many years from now, as we are getting older) tell stories concerning both the BPD and the FD in Bangor. We used to have "Truant Officers" who patrolled the city, looking for kids who were playing hooky from school. The car would stop and question the kid what they were doing out on the streets when school opened. It was customary for our parents to always write a note, to be placed in our pocket, in case the Truant Officer came around and stopped us. We could be going to a dentist or something, so and excuse was mandatory.

We were scared to death of the Truant Officers. He was the "executioner" on wheels! We had many officers like "Touchy" Short, "Red Face" Kincaide, "Hollywood" Gonyar, "Brownie", and others we gave special names to. We began to have lady-cops back then, too. Mrs. Politz was one, and I forget the other, but see her face clearly. They were great cops. If we crossed a street at the wrong time and place, and we got away at the time, fr sure, the lady police would always nab our ear the next time she saw us and give us hell and threaten to take us home to our parents for jaywalking. We surely had respect for the cops back then; most of us did. Our parents never sided with us, they sided with the cops.

Cre8RoyalPalm: It is finally starting to feel a bit more like summer here in New England.

I was at the Univ of Maine Museum of Art this afternoon with a friend. Some interesting art exhibits currently, including some photography , I appreciated.(love photography, especially black and white.)

But, outside the museum in the courtyard (with a flowing fountain, etc.), there are some rosebushes. Boy, did that bring back some memories of all my grandmother's rose gardens in Hamden, Conn. At her home there was a great profusion of them (in varying colors) climbing over fences in the backyard. So beautiful in the summer. So very evocative today.

And when growing up in Conn, did we ever get some real hot and humid summer weather! And when you went into the cities there on a hot, steamy, muggy summer day (Hartford, New Haven, Waterbury,etc.), was it ever close and very hot! Memories....

I was in the Mainville section checking this out when I waw "Recent Comments" a new one in this column, so I will respond. We nearly sent in both comments together at the same time.

I thought Bangor was high in dew points and humidity? I hope, for those on vacation and vacationing in Maine, the weather clears up and the temperatures start to get into the low 80's. That is perfect weather and temps to enjoy Maine, especially on the coast. Rain, mist, showers, cloudy, muggy weather is not good for the soul, especially after being cooped-up for 6 months inside the house.

I used to take nice photos when I was "into" photography. The old Tri-X and Plus-X and other films, made for great designer-photographs, depending on other conditions you set the camera to.

Interesting....truant officers back in those days. How times have changed! And yes......I would have loved those days of more civility, respect, and dare I say, gentility, in Bangor. And I understand your point about the rudeness and "sassiness" ( good word and description!) in later days. Times have really changed, and certainly not all for the better, in many ways!

I am not sure about when you were growing up in Bangor, but now there is this silly attitude (and not just in Bangor, but in other parts of Maine as well, but probably not Portland) that if one was not born here, and hence is "from away" (that would include me), that you are not a true citizen of Maine. Ridiculous! Seems a bit small-minded and provincial to me, and I am quite sure that all the problems in this state, are not all caused by those who have moved here from elsewhere! There certainly is a certain tone and manner in these modern times we live in that is not conducive to an atmosphere of respect and that "mystique" we were speaking of , and I am sure it is not just confined to Bangor and Maine.

Yes, I noticed that too....that we were sending posts here at about the same time! Yes, we need some warm weather here in Maine minus the rain and cloudiness or else our short summer season will seem that much more abbreviated.

"chersully2000", I found out too, that if you were actually born and bred (raised) in Maine, anyplace, and then left (not for college or the military, however), and returned, you are accepted by the locals.

But, if you were born and bred in Maine, in MOST parts (Portland is again unique in that it has "grown up" a little due to its proximity to Boston), and left Maine completely to live and work in other parts of the US or/and the world at large, then return to Maine even as a tourist visiting friends and neighbors, etc., you are not accepted and sometimes rejected as being a "Mainer". Of course everything is in the mind of the beholder, and some people do not live in the world I live in, either. You are fortunate if you get invited to their July 4th backyard BBQ!

The reasons for this are many. Jealousy, envy, mad that you had other opportunities, you left and decided another place was "better" - and it really was - , you had the choice to elevate yourself in life and financial being rather than to be stuck in Maine with unemployment, harsh weather, and that you landed a great life-supporting job and have a growing family and a fantastic house etc. More reasons can be outlined. I personally encountered these scenarios. Would you believe, while on one vacation trip back into Bangor, I contacted an old-time woman friend of my mom's who then ran some little kiddie day care out of her home...a babysitting service in which other people were assisting. She told me I "...had to make an appointment with me (her) first. Did you see the swings and all the things in my yard?" I was not impressed; never saw her and never will.

I know some reading this thread will be upset, but these are actual reasons why native Mainer's are not accepted if they relocate out-of-state and return years later on. It's not culture, it is individual emotions speaking from their attitudes. I grew up in Bangor in the very early 1940's through 1964 then left for college in Boston, then the military and really, never returned.

No, you are right, out-of-staters did not cause Maine's problems. All they sought was a slower-paced lifestyle. I know some that moved right back out-of-state a few years after moving in, too. Too bad, Maine is a wonderful place to live, but the government, both federal and state, are destroying the place. They are destroying the population wishing to remain there, and the environmental ambiance of pristine woods converted to syndicate-run property conglomerates. What can I tell you?

Well, I do not fit into either of the categories you state in the beginning. I was neither born or raised in Maine! I am from Connecticut (born in New Haven,) Think I mentioned that previously. So altho' I consider Maine home now (28 yrs here), I am just a visitor to some!!

Oh my goodness......I would not have wanted to see that woman again either! Make an appointment indeed....unbelievable!

No, I am not a native of Maine who moved away and then moved back. I was not born nor raised in Maine. Moved here as an adult and my children were born here. Actually they were born in Aroostook county where we lived for about 5 yrs, then moved to central eastern Maine. But as I said.....28 yrs living in Maine, and still considered "from away." Ha ha.....And now my older son lives in Miami!

Heh, heh...I guess you are safe from being criticized as a "newcomer" or shunned as a "former Mainer". Reminds me of the older-type religions, some of which are still active in the US; that being the Shaker's and the Quaker's. They held to traditional beliefs and seems some folks in Maine - and elsewhere for that fact - still have those 1600 cultural beliefs we are talking about.

Well, Wayne's new article should come out Monday morning. I wonder what his newest contribution will be?

I will have something that I will add to the BDN web sometime next week. Should be of interest to you and most others, but it is really not historic in that sense of the word. It is a "used-to-be-other-than-now-thing".

I had plenty of yard things to do yesterday. Very busy. I got to thinking about people moving into the state (Maine), and moving out again after spending a year or two there. I did some research and what I found out was amazing to me. The prime reason for this activity was they moved to Maine to rid themselves of the "Rat Race", fast-paced lifestyle, and a sense of comfort; with 4 seasons surrounding them and having a comfortable home to live in. They moved out on an average of every 4 to 5 years (depending on when their home could be purchased) due to: 1) The high taxes. 2) The high cost of commodities and heating oil, electricity rates. 3) Lack of employment opportunities, uncertain job security and low pay structure 4) The harsh weather and literally no summer to speak of. 5) The attitude of the folks who lived there being abrupt, rude and harsh. 6) Expectations of the lifestyle was not as what was advertised by State or business relocation outlets.

I guess that fits the situations in a lot of places right now, but the survey was done well prior to the downfall of the economic problems in the US.

Just a quick sideline comment here: Once, when I traveled to Bangor from another state on business, I had a company vehicle with license plates from California. The car was a new Mercedes. Running around Bangor on pleasure excursions following my business in Boston and New York City, going the speed limit, I had vehicles following me briefly, then buzzing my rear-end, passing me with the accelerator to the floor, cutting in front of me, not stopping at stop signs, blowing their horns; you know, stupid driving things. My thought were these guys are trying to impress me with their driving skills, which, could be when they saw Cal plates on the Mercedes, they wanted to get my attention and show-off. Not impressed at all. This also happened a couple of other times going to Maine on vacations when I lived in other states and driving my out-of-state vehicle back into Maine. Even the blue State Police cars, at times, followed me for a few miles; most likely checking out who owned the car and if there were outstanding warrants on me or if the car was stolen. Very suspicious! (But I don't mind this at all, as it is part of their job).

Another thought: I read in a review that there is a newspaper out here in Cal that had blogger problems. This newspaper's web was full of the following: Commenter's were posting sexually-explicit comments, name-calling, terrorizing and grossly harassing bloggers, posting user names and real names of people who have user names, unfounded, nasty comments about people or/and their life, capturing the entire blog site from those making comments thereby reducing the number of "hits" and number of comments, posting of certain numbers such as driver license numbers, bank account numbers, addresses, etc; you get the picture? The web manager was duly fired eventually for not enforcing the registration rules for posting, and when the new person came on duty, a transition came about overnight. With updated equipment, they find out computer "signatures" and compare that to the computer "signatures" or "footprints" of those posting previously who disrupted the site, and prevent further posting or entrance to the web. I do not know how Josh Alves is managing this site, but I will say this; it is a great improvement than what was being allowed to happen just a month ago! I'm very happy it is cleaned-up and those fools blogging before are no longer here.

Cre8RoyalPalm: I will be very interested in both Mr Reilly's next column, but also your contribution that you speak of.

Yes, yes! I am also glad about the improvements made by Josh Alves and others at the BDN. It had gotten way out of hand and very unpleasant and obnoxious on the comments site of the BDN. I could not agree more. I am called a "simpleton" here by a Bible quoting person who posts often. He knows I am a "liberal" (if you want to use that term) and he has been very insistent on trying to make me defensive,etc. I will not play his little game. I actually have no use for his ?, whatever you call it. He poses as a Christian fundamentalist but does not come across that way. Those are the ones one needs to look out for!!

We are having humid weather here currently but quite a lack of sunshine. Guess I should take more vitamin D!

I was interested in what you found out about the trends of people leaving Maine , coming back, and then leaving again,etc. Very interesting. Maine is lovely in many respects but quite a challenging place to live (altho' it is not alone in that way.)

I ran into an acquaintance today at the store. Her daughter (about 20 yrs old?) had moved from Maine to Calif, maybe lasted 2 yrs and is now back in the Bangor area and has resumed her life here. She did not find it particularly easy (jobs,etc) in Calif. but I do not know all the circumstances.

Also, a friend of mine from Conn (high school chum) who moved to Tampa/St Pete, Fla when she was in her early 30's (after growing up in Conn and living in Mass for a while) is moving back to Conn within the next yr after living in Fla for 30 yrs. Her mother recently passed away in Fla and so my friend now wants to return to her roots in New England where there are 4 seasons. She also has some lifelong friends and cousins in the Northeast. She is also tired of the extreme heat of the long "summers" of Fla.

So, people grow up in one place, often move, especially in these times, but then sometimes return to where they grew up or close by. The grass is not always greener,but sometimes it is, I guess!

And yes, in addition: many of us on this site got sick and tired of posters playing their mind games and using different usernames in order to increase their bile, vile comments and invectives! Do not miss them at all!!

Cre8RoyalPalm, I am the "bible quoting person" chersully speaks of. What she fails to mention is that the two worst offenders on this site that were eventually removed were two of chersullys best friends. What I find offensive about you chersully is your constant digs at people on other posts like your doing here. Rather than be grown up about it and confront them directly you do it in your usual passive-aggressive way behind their backs. As far as trying to put you on the defensive as you state, asking you to back up your constant ranting with some facts is a far cry from putting you on the defensive. You claim to be a "christian" yet contradict scripture and other Christians every chance you get. You are the one that people need to "watch out for". I honestly don't get why you even call yourself a Christian when you seem to oppose everything it stands for, very puzzling.

Have a good evening

Cre8RoyalPalm:

I continue to enjoy your intelligent, knowledgeable, informative comments. You seem like a very well-mannered person who conducts himself with civility and decency.

The individual above is, well, he appears to have issues. I do not go around "putting people down" on other posts. Only in this deluded individual's mind. It is sad. He seems to be a very paranoid person. As you can see, he does not post on the Mr Reilly column (he has no interest) but came over to this site to make trouble. He has done this in the past (I am not even going to go into it) but just say he told a Mr JD2008 , a regular poster on the BDN letter site, to "watch his back" from me, chersully. JD2008 laughed this individual out of the water. Absurd.

I have recently,more than once, been called a "simpleton" by the above poster. In a "passive-aggressive way behind my back." He has things twisted. He has actually said it more than once recently (behind my back.) So, he has some gall making that statement above. The 1st time in my lifetime I have been called anything remotely like that. (as we know, sir, all the other people are not wrong and this small-minded person right. Therefore, I do not give this individual any credence,etc.) I had not referenced him at all for a long time (not interested ) and yet he calls me a simpleton and that is all right, he thinks. (this self-proclaimed "Christian". I have never encountered such a "Christian."!) But when I mention that fact, (the simpleton remark) he cannot take it and doesn't like it. He can hand it out, but cannot take it . Many posters on the BDN site have remarked on this. He is a classic control freak. He is no one I would want anything to do with and I like just about everyone.

You are a very perceptive, intelligent person, it is quite apparent (as I am sure others can tell here as well. ) You figure things out for yourself. You do not have to be told by a control freak, such as above. I leave you to come to your own conclusions about people here, as JD2008 and others have. Over time, if one reads enough posts on various subjects, people draw their own conclusions based on their own mind and perceptions,not because a person such as the above goes around telling people "to watch their back." Never seen anything like it...and want no part of it. I have stated this before.

I appreciate ,very much, your civility and kindness in your comments. Most people would appeciate that.

I want nothing to do with the individual above and am not going to get into any back and forth with this individual. This person does not come across a a very nice person to me . I do not care to waste my time. Cre8RoyalPalm, I continue to appreciate your comments about Bangor,etc. I will continue to respond to your interesting , informative, enjoyable posts. There are many memories of the past,etc. to share and exchange. Other than that, I am not going to comment anymore re any further remarks made here by the above poster.....a waste of time.

Let us move forward.

I hope you have a good rest of the weekend.

Cre8RoyalPalm: And by the way....when I wrote in a previous post here, "that those are the ones you have to watch out for"....it was not literal..... I should have maybe wrote one has to watch out for, not you, as I was not directing that to you individually...this individual jumped on this as he does so many things (he never understands nuance, subtlety, etc.) and twisted it to what he wanted it to be. Sir, I meant sometimes people (people in general) can come across a certain way (self-righteous,etc.) and are not always what they seem. But, sir, I was not implying you should "watch your back" or any such thing from anyone here, as was suggested about me (absurd!) I am the kind of person who respects each persons' intelligence enough not to suggest they think a certain way about an issue or person. People figure things out on their own, for the most part. This BDN comment page section was, I thought, mostly about folks just expressing different opinions and thoughts about all manner of things!

Have a good Sunday, Cre8RoyalPalm. You are fortunate to get some lawn work done there this wkend. It has rained here so much lately, all the grass is so wet.....lawn work is somewhat difficult here right now. How much rain can we get??

The post at 12:44 PM was for the purpose of clarification.....to you......nothing more.

Now.........let us look forward with anticipation to Mr. Wayne Reilly's upcoming new piece (tonight?) Cre8RoyalPalm......I kind of hope it is partly at least about trains (!) although many other aspects of Bangor's past are also of great interest.

Chersully2000, well, what can I really say about those great people who move away to seek their fortunes; only to return to Maine later on. I venture to guess, however, that the cost of living is much higher in some areas of the USA, rather in some other areas. This is a fact. When people move away, they miss the heck out of their long-time friends, family, and the place they actually grew up in. Also, they probably want to return to the life they knew so well, to be near family and to (most likely) save tons of money and get back into the family home. Sacrificing warmer weather, sunshine, beaches, higher wages, etc, sometimes are non-priorities of a decision when you move back home.

I, for one...I love Maine with a passion. But, with so many decisions I made in my life, traveling about, and finally getting situated out here on the west coast, it was easy for me to get the house and additional business going. Now, it is impossible for me to return to Maine. I might consider this following retirement; but if we do return to Maine, we will go to the coast. Bar Harbor, Castine, Rockland areas, maybe. But we want to travel the world again, but not on tours. My son will be attending college classes "straight-through", without class breaks or vacations. Colleges out here run all year-round, so we will be "free" in 7 or 8 more years (I will be about 74 then).

I lived in Clearwater-Duneden area and Tarpon Springs at various times in my life. Liked it, but it was not for me.

forHimtoday, let's please be kind and understand that everyone in here are not responsible for what others say or do. If chersully2000 was blogging with those two other people, so be it. I do not hold anything against her...nothing! I do not think she had been personal friends of them; the association was on the web only, like all of us happen to be. I do not understand what those two particular bloggers were saying of making whatever point they were attempting, as I'm not living in their world and they are not of mine. They have gone their way and that is that. The manner and commentaries in which some folks post which may seem offensive to another blogger is always an issue, in every web site around the world. We cannot avoid this. I think that Bangor Daily News is trying their level-best to make this a more user-friendly site; and now it is becoming just that. I'm not trying to be moderator here, that is the BDN's job. I cannot speak for chersully2000, but probably she did not totally DISagree with everything you posted, forHimtoday; neither did I.

Let me tell a short story if I can: I happen to be at an office calling to another office of the same department/division of the government. I always got this guy on the other end of the line who, every time I called, I had to "go through" him to get to the person I wanted. This guy was overly inquisitive, rude, harsh-mannered, sometimes nasty, arrogant and protective of their job and life (it seemed). This went on for nearly 9 months until I finally informed those I was calling just who was this guy and why cannot they stop him - or transfer him - from being so ill-mannered to me on the phone. The answer was for me to "forget it". Well, I had the chance to go to this office where Mr. Rude was working. I planned to dump his living butt on the floor by removing the chair from under him! I had a conference, and unbeknown to me, this guy was sitting right next to me - for 6 hours - the entire length of the meeting. We went to lunch together, had a great time, went to meet his wife and two kids that evening. I had the chance to ask him who was a certain guy (in a certain department) I always got on the phone, and blah, blah, blah! We suddenly found out we were the two connecting in the first place and got so friendly after that, he never, ever, was that way with me, or others, again. Shocked both of us. We are still good friends. Lesson-learned!

I learned an interesting thing posting from another country a while back. Don't talk about yourself. Don't talk about others unless it is positive. If you have umbrage with someone, try to understand their viewpoint. Applaud interesting comments, even by someone you previously took issue with. And most of all, if someone is getting on your nerves, don't challenge them on the web - ignore them and go on to another subject and don't take what is said personally. Life is too short for all this, and we should be more active in getting along; or at least try to. Insofar as those who have been kicked off the ship, let them go...forget them. We are still here, and that is all that matters.

Cre8RoyalPalm: More interesting and insightful comments from you. Always enjoy them. I am sure our stances on politics and other things are quite different, but that is of no matter or concern here. We enjoy exchanging our experiences of Bangor and other places and just our observations on various topics of life in gerneral. Why not!....and always can learn something, and maybe prod another's memory about some place or happening.

There does seem to be something about Maine (unique kind of character?) that often leaves folks who grew up here with a strong feeling and love for the state . I grew up in Connecticut as I said,and although I like quite a lot about that state (also on the ocean), and had some neat experiences growing up in those times there, I do not have that strong "tug" that I have observed in people who grew up in Maine. After living here in Maine for 28 yrs. now, I can really understand. This state really grows on one.....i can't quite put my finger on why; I just know that it is true.

Also Cre8RoyalPalm: I enjoyed your relating of the experience with that man ("Mr Rude") in the office environment. Good outcome, in that case!

I agree with what you wrote about posting online. It is ridiculous and inappropriate to take it to a real personal level. This is just online posting.....we do not really know the other person! And there is some "challenging" that goes on on the BDN site, and I do not mean in the sense of trying to just understand someone else's opinion on some subject. It goes beyond that here sometimes. Some posters are gone, for good or not, I do not know; all I know is the tone on the BDN comment site has improved in recent wks, as you remarked on. There were a few using mulitple user names who seem to have been removed, and that is for the good.

I get along with most everyone and people who really know me consider me a good person. There is a poster or 2, however, on this site, who for reasons I won't go into (as it does not really matter), I prefer to not "engage" with....and not because their views and positions on religion, politics,etc. but for a different reason. Sometimes we have to respect others' boundaries......when one says "no", they mean no and that should be it. If someone ever told me to leave them alone, I would feel that was the appropriate thing to do. Most of the time there can be some meeting of the minds and some respect.....in a few cases, this cannot happen. Very rare, though.

And as another poster, JD2008, or someone remarked a while back; it is juvenile to lump someone who posts on here with other posters just because they may have similar political leanings, etc. Absurd. There are quite a few here who "back each other up" and then accuse others of doing that (as the poster above did about me.) I want no part of it. Life is too short. I have learned to partake with those one can have at least a modicum of respect for, trust,etc. It makes life much more pleasant but does not mean you have to agree about everything!

Maine is sure experiencing a very soggy and gray June this year! At this rate,unfortunately it will adversely affect the businesses and livelihoods of those in the tourist industry. I can see why you might like to have a retirement home on the coast of Maine one day. Wonder if you would also retain your residence on the west coast as well.

Sometimes when I type here (and I have dial up for now so do not know if that factors in) , after a paragraph or so, the keys sometimes jump up and down and I cannot see what I am typing; if I do not reread what I wrote, there are often some typos,etc....so please excuse. Although I realize you can still read and understand what I have written anyway.

Very good advice.....sir...re 7:58 PM.....and I know you don't...."nothing." Very interesting commentary as well

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such control........not.......