That vessel launched in Bangor in 1909 must have been a magnificent sight to behold! Must have been great to be present for that and an exciting time for those involved. Another interesting article from Mr. Reilly on Bangor's rich history. (as in, Bangor is rich in history!)

And loved the photo accompanying this article too!

Yes, the "shakes" on this building weathered most storms and through the mist, fog, sun, hot and cold of Maine, these "shakes" only seemed to get better with time.

I guess "clubbing" was very popular in Bangor, and other parts of the country, beginning in the early part of the 20th Century. This may not have been so prevalent in earlier times, much has to do with the advent of these modes of transportation, and advances in the technology of such vehicles. Reading through Wayne's new article, even though such new clubs were formed; and being formed; ancillary activities were sprouting up as a result. I'll bet that the local clothing stores popularized, through mail-ordering, certain fad-fashion sport wear and gear, designed especially for the avid sports enthusiast; in this showing, a yacht club-boating-water-related sport and boat accessories to boot. I wonder just how many of the "Bangor Yacht Club" guys wore "Captain's Cap's", white turtle-neck woolen sweaters and white pants with white socks and shoes, and a dark blue blazer? How cool!

Seems even the displays of the pennant and the principals were attached "maritime" handles; keeping in mind this was all a water-thing.

The Penobscot was a wide river (in most places). The issue, however, were to maneuver about with maverick logs that got away, floating down river, nearly 98% underwater. I can bet some accidents happened and a few expletitives were shouted about. Then, when the sailing vessels, most of them three and four-masters came up or down the river, I wonder about the awe some of those old-time sailor's would have as these cruisers sped by their gliding ships.

Yup, seems the glory days of the Bangor Yacht Club are mostly gone now, to separate and autonomous enthusiasts in the area, belonging to nothing but themselves and their own displays of watercraft. I do not own a boat, but would even love to have an Old Town canoe. I remember the 1940's-type Chris-Craft power cruisers. wonderful boats...fast, sleek, sexy and if you could marry one of those boats legally, I know I would!

Thanks, Wayne for another great article.

Again, Mr. Reilly, another great article. I have cut this one out also to save for reference later. My Great-Grandfather Clark had a yacht which I have pictures of and he motored in it to Isleboro with his family. And, yes, he did own a cottage on Isleboro like so many others. After he passed on in 1912 my Great-Grandmother Clark had the Harrah's Nest and Welcome Cottage built at the end of Cottage Street on the estate so that she could have an income. Maybe you can come to one of our Hampden Historical Society Meetings in the future just to relax and add a little charisma. Thank you again for all you do for this area regarding history. So interesting. Sandra Boynton (Great-Granddaughter of Capt. Rawley also)

Cre8RoyalPalm: Look....the 1st comment here (by me) was voted down. Why do you think??Look at how benign it is. Cre8RoyalPalm .......I could tell you who, but would not bother. Very sad. And no....sir......I did not agree with anything the individual wrote on the other Mr Reilly column (previous one) (I completely disagree with that person.)

Thank you.

Yes, there sure must have been a feeling of awe in those days, watching those sailing vessels go by!

Cre8RoyalPalm: Oh well...it was before (hidden.) Amusing?

Sometimes when I look at the grand big houses and brownstones in certain parts of Bangor (Broadway,etc.), I imagine what it would have been like in those houses on those avenues back in 19th century. One can wonder.....one can imagine.....about those more "elegant" times (at least in many ways!) Those department stores of those times had a certain elegance to them , as we spoke of before. It was an adventure and a pleasure just to walk through them and meander around and browse .......it did not matter if you even bought anything on some trips!

He is having fun, Cre8RoyalPalm. The individual was not too happy about a remark you made on another one......too bad. He gets frustrated because his trying to discredit someone (and I do not mean you) just does not work! Oh well.....

How is the weather out in Calif or on the west coast? My oldest son recently visited San Francisco for the first time. How do you feel about that city? I love the trolleys and those hills (but I suppose sometimes those hills are not so appreciated.....driving,etc.....although they do not have to worry about snow and ice out there, now do they??)

Thank you again, Mrs. Sandra Boynton, for some more of your grandfather's recollections of boats. On May 16th you commented on the "Great White Flyers" article by Mr. Reilly, wherein your grandfather, (Captain Rawley) held such memories of riding on those new turbine ships going from Bangor (with stops along the way) to Boston.

Seems as though Mrs. Boynton of Hampden had a family of boaters in her past. If we could bring back those great days, again! If you can, Wayne, please take Mrs. Boynton up on her offer. Her phone is listed (as other information) in the "White Flyers" article.

How come the other blog comments by "chersully2000" is cut out? It could be some children are playing on their computers, too. Anyway, if you come across certain areas in Bangor, and ride real slow (especially if you have a convertible), you can always see the "Widows Walk" fencing and extra room atop a lot of mansions in the Bangor area. I'm sure you already know this from living near the ocean in Connecticut, but the wives of seamen or their officer husbands would always be looking out for ships plying the Penobscot, searching for their husband's (or sons) ships to be floating-into dockside. They always had a long telescope mounted on tripods or hand-held, to get a closer glimpse on what ship her names were. At one time, it is said, Bangor's harbor was so full of sailing ships, you could (with effort) walk from Bangor to Brewer simply by walking from deck-to-deck on these ships.

It would surely amaze a lot of folks if yachting in Bangor caught on as it used to do, even having clubs and facilities that are reminisce of the "olden, golden" times Wayne describes in his article here. You do not need to have an elaborate, "warehouse-looking structure"; just a simple cottage. Shame on whoever designed that long, white warehouse-made-restaurant-hardware store and whatever else that replaced the old Central Train Station in Bangor at the foot of Exchange on Washington Streets. It has no style at all! Looks like h*** from any point of view.

However, the cost of real yachts now run into the millions. I know of a person, and is a very close friend of mine who works with me, who owns a "Sea Ray 650" This is nearly a ship...not a yacht; but it is beautiful. I have been out on it with him many times, most of the time, just to sit back and have a cocktail afternoon and sun-tanning. The wives are busy enjoying their day, and the kids are always watching television, as usual, or playing on the computers on the boat. We never worry, as we can "hire" a captain-for-a-day out here to safely get us back and forth. No need to ever drink and drive; even on the water! We both hate to fish, as we get impatient, don't like to work too hard fighting the sea creatures that get hooked, and that it is a messy situation on a luxury yacht, once you get the bloody thing inside the aft deck. I guess if I'm 'gonna fish, I'll do it from an Old Town canoe on a smooth lake at 4:30am in the morning. Fighting black flies and mosquitoes all the way, of course!

There you are, C-2000! I have an auntie living in San Francisco. She also moved out of Bangor back in the early 1940's. She was a US Marine Corps nurse. She got "the urge" to get back to California and the "Bay Area". She settled there, and is now an old lady in her early 90's. We talk to each other weekly. She has no relations but me anymore. Once, she traveled from San Fran to Bangor all alone in one of those Nash Metropolitan's. Can you believe driving across country in that little thing? But, she said she enjoyed it. She still has that Metropolitan, too. She refuses to sell it.

The weather here was lousy the past couple of weeks, but breaks of sun. It is fine weather again. The hills of San Fran are okay...if you don't have an old 4-cylinder VW, that is. All my automobiles (3), are 8-cylinders, to include the SUV. I have a phobia on "less power for gas mileage". I never travel anyplace at a longer distance other than 10 miles one-way to work, anyway. My son, at 16 has a car, also an 8-cylinder. It just goes to school and back home. He is trustable. I gave him my old 2007 Crown Victoria. He polishes this thing every weekend we are home. He does not desire to cruise the mall or tote his friends around. They all have cars, anyway, and they do their own thing.

I'm off to the other computer now to do some "homework" that I did not complete today at work, so I might get back here later after I first check with the news in BDN.

Wow, Cre8RoyalPalm: Your aunt sounds like one of those amazing women.....great! That was brave on her part.

No, sir, no children are playing around here! I know what is going on, but I guess I will not go into it here. Some one on the comment sites has enjoyed "jerking me around" for some time. His problem!! You do not need the dirty details. You saw how someone "jumped in" on the previous WR column. You are a relatively new poster here on the BDN site, as I understand it, so you would not know the half of it. It is unpleasant, so we will leave it alone...unless it continues.

Yes, I really like those "widows walks" and do see them here (and did in Connecticut too). Some of the architectural detail on some of the homes in Bangor are wonderful to look at...a lot of character. It would have been wonderful to see the harbor in Bango back in those daysr chock full of all the those sailing vessels and ships.

Oh, you are so right about that white flat warehouse-looking monstrosity located where the former Union Station stood.....so sad......sacreligious really!!

Excuse my typo errors please. I have dial-up for now. Sometimes when I am typing and the post starts to get long in length, the letters start jumping up and down so I cannot see what I am typing, and unless I re-read the post and catch the errors, I just send them on! As in the post above.....of course, it should say "the harbor in Bangor back in those days ....."etc.

I'm wondering about the fireworks displays that used to be displayed over the Penobscot River a few times I remember. The Fire Departments of Bangor and Brewer had to coordinate efforts so that no "live fallout" would drop on older wood-frame buildings along the waterfront shore areas, but the reflection of the fireworks on the water were fantastic! I do not know just how far back these fireworks would be displayed...or just exactly when the fireworks began in Bangor. Maybe sometime we will know; as July 4th is almost upon us. Could BDN do a report on this, I wonder?

Brewer had the fireworks displays over at their sports playing field for many, many years. (I fail to recall between which streets, exactly, the sports football and baseball field is located between, however). Also, I think Bangor conducted their fireworks displays in Bass Park.

But this has nothing to do with the water craft and yachting on the 'Penobbie.

One boat I would love to get my hands on would be an "old" minesweeper. John Wayne had one; converted to a luxury yacht of sorts. I had an assignment once, out of a base in Florida, on the USS Engage; also a minesweeper. It would have made, if converted, into a great boat for all types of pleasure-yachting. I even had a "dream" of buying that ship which was eventually decommissioned a few years later, and piloting it up the Penobscot, into a slip near downtown Bangor for a July 4th celebration. But, time and distance took its toll; who knows where the USS Engage is now...or me for that matter, in proximity to each other.

I imagine some of those firework displays of days gone by at the Bangor waterfront were more spectacular and exciting than those of today, but I may be wrong as I was not here in those days to experience it! Hope someone else responds and you get more information about this (or from the BDN soon??)

Cre8RoyalPalm: This is definitely my favorite BDN comment site (Wayne Reilly columns.) Much more pleasant than some of the "encounters" on some of the article comment pages. Some get way too "personal" in an inappropriate way on some of those. One just feels like expressing their thoughts and opinions on an article or topic, and it degenerates into something else when someone decides they do not like you because of your political views,etc, and they then lash out or get derogatory and insulting. No need for it. Wonder what their problem is? (but do not think I would really want to know.) They cannot seem to handle someone having a difference of opinion or seeing things differently than they do.

I noticed on the previous Wayne Reilly article (the one we were writing on before this latest column of his) someone voted down about 3 of my comments. Juvenile....but it really changes not a thing, does it?

Someone told me (who is another friend of mine who once lived in Bangor) that some guy on Otis Street was "willed" a nice Chris-Craft motor yacht, albeit a small one with trailer. This boat was vintage, from what was said. Then, in order to supplement personal financial gains, this guy sold the Chris Craft (or similar style boat) and trailer. I think this person did not realize the value of this watercraft when he had it.

"chersully2000", never mind the posters who vote or "thumb's down" comments. I thought this was to change sometime soon?

I'm glad the BDN has this freelance writer telling about the history of Bangor. My only problem with this is that their articles are not posted twice a week; Saturday and Tuesdays. You get it in the weekend editions and then the weekly editions and the pace would get sped-up faster. Posters like myself get stagnated posting, and there really are not too much to comment on exacting the article topics; thus the reason why we get off the track, per se.

How come you are up so early in the 'morn'in? "It's never late 'till twelve - then it's early!"

I have walked near Otis Street many times. Not all that far from Eastern Maine Medical Center,etc. Love to see some of the older, but well-maintained, and lovely homes in that area. Glad many have been preserved anyway. You probably recall a lot of those larger homes around that area in particular (near the hospital area)

I do not have as much knowledge about boats as you do , but always loved going out in my uncle's boat on Long Island Sound and then later summers at Lake Winnepausakee (the Lakes Region) in New Hampshire (outboards, even row-boats sometimes to go fishing.)

Too much of a night owl sometimes, I guess. I thought the thumbs thing on here was to change too.....taking them a long time to do it. Yes, I agree. Would much to prefer more reporting on Bangor history, more than just the one that comes out on Sunday night. It is a lot more interesting to me many times than a lot than a lot of the articles, but maybe not all would agree with us there!

A few do not post here....they just come over to vote down my comments. It is very evident and noticeable. They comment on other articles. My views are not to their liking, and they (he) has made it personal. There are very few voting down on Wayne Reilly, believe me. It just takes one or two votes down to cause it to be "hidden.", a very peculiar and unsatisfactory practice.

Maybe we can get the BDN to feature more history articles and the like, but not overly optimistic on that score.

Yes, but Otis Street has fallen into more of an "Old Hancock Street" area in the past 10 years or so. There was once a group of careful and considerate folks there, especially on the "upper-end", above Garland. I once saw homes there that were in pristine condition. One nice yellow-sided home (with a fantastic garden and yard lights) had a neighbor across the street with a beautiful Weeping Willow there in his yard, and other homes on the street were in nice repair with beautiful gardens.

My last trip up there (as my family once had a place on Howard) saw that yellow home dilapidated beyond reason, and so with the property across the street; gardens were gone into wide, dirty parking lots and wide driveways took the place of the lawns and flora. What a mess now! But, the Wing Estate is still there and the homes of Bangor's old business community owners are still standing; at least for now, along State and Howard and Belleview streets.

Howard Street still has some really nice homes on it. But I am sure many of the neighborhoods don't have the look we speak of back in the earlier times.

A few of those mansions across from the hospital (up high on the hill) still are lovely with beautiful gardens; there are a few though that are abandoned , up for sale, and just in general deteriorating. Sad...

I think some of the local physicians have offices in these homes, and most likely use the home as a listed residence, getting their tax breaks all the way to the bank, of course; but there is nothing wrong with this...I do it too!

Howard is nice on the "lower-end", simply because the homes are not in a "tract-style"; close together and situated like cracker boxes side-by-side as in most of the residential districts built for moderate, middle-income people in the early 1900's, and are not alike in design. The middle section of Howard, between Garland and Mount Hope Avenue is still somewhat nice, but most of these original bungalows, built in the 1030's and 1940's, sans some of those built in the 1950's, are now not faring so well. Howard has become a speedway on this section, and the center strip does not help speeding - it just separates the cars a bit. Nice piece of engineering thought, but not effective at all.

The last section of Howard, where thee park is and running to Stillwater Avenue is okay. To live anyplace near a park is fine.

Yes, I have heard that some of those mansions in this area you mentioned are going to the dogs. It could be nobody really wants to live in one of these hard-to-hear and hard-to-maintain homes because of the expense of it all. Maybe the original electrical fixtures are still there and the current codes want to completely rewire the homes. Maybe the plumbing is also deteriorated with use and temperature fluctuations over time. I do not know how the sub-structure (cellars) are, either. Maybe the homes are overpriced in lieu of the repair cost potentials. I will keep it to myself which residence I lived in when I was a child in this area.

One thing I never could understand and that is why a lot of people think Howard Street - and some homes in this composite area - are so great? If you simply get out of Bangor and return after a few years, noticing the differences, this area is an average neighborhood in most cities. The homes look nice and all that, but maybe because doctors resided in the area because of the nearness of the hospital, could be the reason for the thinking it is, "a rich district". I know doctor's who make no more than $30,000 a year, too. Bangor is stagnated by population and people to service in the medical community, but I think it has a viable business in medical professions, nevertheless. I guess we expended our thoughts on the yachts. We tried! But see the "hits", nearly 800 now, so someone is reading the article, anyway!

Hello again. Yes, there are some doctors' offices in some of those homes,especially right near the end of Howard, near State Street. I remember when I would come back here after going back to Conn. to viist, and how run-down and "depressed" some of the areas and homes of Bangor looked in comparison (of course, that was Conn....not exactly a poor or low income state, overall....but with pockets of poverty, of course, in certain cities there.) I guess where the doctors live in Bangor looks quite grand and "up-scale" compared to some other areas. And the Fairmount Park area of Bangor has a number of streets with lovely homes (the older ones with character, not the tract kind!) Not far from the golf course, as you know, and close to the Bangor International Airport as well. Wonder if some of those folks' china rattles when those big planes (military and otherwise)fly overhead!!

About the speedway on Howard (and yes, good not to divulge too much personal information here!!).....caused a lot of controversy here, as you probably know, and much writing back and forth about it in the BDN and many spots about it on the local news for a while. Not sure it ever got resolved to the satisfaction of all! It is still a nice area to walk around in, though, in my opinion.

You are speaking of most likely, one of the two developments made by the housing developer, Louis Kirstein. (Hope I spelled it correctly). One went up in the late 1800's and the other went up in the early 1900's. One was the Fairmount area of Bangor, near the airport. If you observe the homes, they were mostly box-square or rectangular, with nice round or Victorian porches and decorative wood for added interest. They are in a good location, but reminiscent of the Victorian-era homes for middle to low upper class folks back during the turn of the century; but affordable for most anyone in bangor at the time. I think one of Mr. Kirstein's homes, nearest the airport and ramp to head north on I-95 was once an orphanage...was it Saint Michael's? It used to be a brown home on the right, heading toward the airport. I forget if it is Hammond or Ohio. I would never live in one today, even if it was updated and coded for plumbing and electricity. I prefer other type structures and high-rise condos.

Yes, the homes shake, rattle and sometimes roll, depending how near the airport you were, and is irritating to hear the roar of the jets' engines landing and reversing their thrust devices or taking off, and opening-wide, their throttles. Even the water-cooled engines took on a terrible cacophony. You could even hear them on Howard Street (how awful!). Around 1956 or so, us kids would drive out to the Odlin Road, stop the car, get behind the fence and wait to get blasted by the jets taking off with their jet blast and heat from the engines. But I remember the older propeller types flying around Bangor when I was a kid. Even the biplanes still flew then. Those B-29's, B-25's, and all the fighters of the prop era, as well. When the Blue Angel's came to Bangor in their brand-new F-100 Super Saber's, they flew right over my house on Howard, in formation, past Garland Street School (now Cohen) about 200 feet over the house, screaming. As kids, we went wild over that!

Yes, I saw some reports of Howard Speedway but did not pay much attention to it. It did not affect me any, last year. I was over 3,000 miles away from Howard Street. Heh, heh, you got me laughing.

What is odd about Bangor, is that it seldom changes much. Maybe this is a good thing. Not too many reporters post weekly interest columns in web sites depicting the local historics of a certain place; but Bangor has it. Unfortunately, it seems only the folks our age seem to be more interested in it rather than the younger folks, say, under 40. Bangor has such history. It once gave up its forest to build beautiful homes and the like to the world itself. Fortunes were won and lost here. Most of the old money is all gone now, but still has some 3rd and 4th generation families residing under the umbrella of the old family home. Well until tomorrow, time for bed again. Did we really expend the stories of yachting along the Penobscot?

Yes, some drawbacks when living real close to an airport. There was an orphangage on Ohio Street(where the road kind of bends at one point) and think it is some kind of day care or something now, but not sure. Hammond St. also has many of those older kind of homes that are pretty plentiful in Bangor.

I loved some of the homes and architecture in Connecticut; down by the shore of Long Island, in the cities. New Haven has many older homes, some worth a lot (I would not even venture how much.) A more affluent state than Maine of course! Quite a few houses in Bangor are of the Italianite style, I believe.

So true, that it is mostly people of our generation that show much interest in Bangor history. My oldest son loves history but not so sure how involved he gets in Bangor history! He knows all about American History......reads a lot of Lincoln, Jefferson,etc.

Okay, chersully2000, then that home still stands. It could be a converted-to Day Care facility now. That is the place, all right. It was on Ohio Street. But, I think, when the Interstate systems went through Bangor, Ohio ran direct into Dow Air Force Base. The first stop was that little Air Police guard shack which stood in the center of Ohio at the time on base property. But that orphanage was just on top of the rise on the right, before you came down to the base.

In such a way, chersully2000, I really think the "west side" of Bangor has many more beautiful homes, in more districts, rather than the "east side". I think that we can estimate the reasons for this, too, but it would take a while to type it out in this web stream, and the BDN most likely would not want it in.

In Connecticut, the weather and climate is milder somewhat rather than in Bangor (which is "inland"). My wife has many Architectural Digest books she subscribes to, and quite often, Connecticut and the areas along the coastal of that state and others, and inland locations are always depicted. Very rustic and beautiful homes and mansions. Property values in Connecticut are higher than that in Maine. Which, is why, for a short day-drive into Connecticut (and a train into New York City if need be), Connecticut would be a great stopping-over place for a week. Even Rhode Island has a lot to offer as well!

Possibly one reason for the avid history interest of folks our generation has, was due to the intense history and social studies classes we had in primary, grade and high school. Maybe they still have it in Maine, I don't know.

Connecticut has many yacht clubs and water-sport organizations. It is unfortunate, up in Bangor, those boat owners do not have avid clubs anymore; well, maybe they do, I'm just not aware of it. But simply put, I do not want to join organizations (other than the Masons, which I have been a member of since 1987) . When I want to dip my keel in the water, I want to do it alone, and don't want to be with a group of guys all floating around me, or fishing at the same time, or whatever. I think boating is mostly private. Maybe this is why Maine, with the most independent-minded people I know of, enjoy the autonomy of their lives. That's it, chersully2000! That's the answer! This is why the folks in Maine are the way they are to outsiders and why outsiders feel Maine folks are, well, "different". It is simply because they demand and wish for their own independence and having said that, they do not want too many changes in their lives. The thought has wings.

Yes, I agree....I think boating (of all kinds) is much more of a kind of "solitary" thing, or at least more pleasurable that way.....I agree. Used to fish a bit as a child, and it seemed like one was in one's own little world. I did find those snapper blues (fished for in Conn at the end of Aug) to be quite bony. We use to have quite a feast at the end of the summer in Branford, Conn......lobster, clams, succulent corn on the cob, wonderfully delicious tomatoes, etc.

I do recall when geography was emphasized in schools.....U.S. and world.......one of my favorite subjects. Too bad so many young people cannot locate certain countries and states on a map! My older son knows even more than I do about history and geography (although I do pretty well esp with the latter.)

Connecticut and Rhode Island do have lovely homes (think Newport, R.I.!!) and much to offer. Providence apparently is much improved from years back....waterfront area,etc. A train ride from Boston to Conn, or from New Haven to NYC was just great and loved riding the train alongside the ocean..... loved the leisurely pace of it . I miss those times!

I do not think Ohio Street reaches the airport at any point, but could be wrong. Wondering if you mean Hammond Street? That Catholic cemetery (Mt. Pleasant?) is on Ohio Street and if you keep going on it, you reach Griffin Road.

I remember when I bought a brand-new 1962 Mercury Monterey convertible, I would take the short excursion to Bar Harbor (where else) to cruise around town and take a run out into the Acadia Park area with my girlfriends. With the top down, the hot sun and the cooler temperatures blowing through the car, life was good back then, it seemed. We demanded ourselves to make it a date to stop at one of the small outdoor restaurants where there was always fresh lobsters being cooked in large pots in salt water. The "treat" was always lobster rolls, freshly-cooked Maine corn on the cob (rolled in butter) and Coke. Then, off we would go again!

My son and I, visiting the neighborhood library a year ago, came upon a girl (about 23 years old) looking for some type of book. Well, to cut through the chaff, she had no comprehension how to use the Dewey Decimal System and the card files in the library. We assisted her, but found out her question was, "where Malaysia was". She had no idea. And we had all this back when we were in grade school.

Yes, I meant Hammond Street. When you are an alien, such as I now, street names in Bangor are correct in the proximity of the city I could name, but confused as to their ecaxt location and terminus. Okay, now as you describe it, I know Ohio now. My family has a grave site in Mount Pleasant.

Tomorrow is the 4th of July. Again. Let me know if Bangor has fireworks displays; of course, the BDN will have some article on it, anyway. Too, there most likely will be the parade. The parade...with the decorated pickups, convertibles, flatbeds, school marching bands and candy-throwers. Fire trucks, also. Happy 4th, "chersully2000"...and to everyone else!

Happy 4th of July to you Cre8RoyalPalm. A lot of 4th festivities where you live? Yes, always a really nice parade in Bangor and loads of people lining the sidewalks and bridges, many holding little flags. The kids love it when the clowns throw out candy to the crowd!

I had a treat today.....fried clams, cole slaw, sweet potato fries out with a friend at a favorite restaurant. Oh sorry....that's right.....you do not like sea food. Oh well. To me, it was absolutely a delicious meal and love the atmosphere there too. Such nice waiters and waitresses....they sure make you want to go back!

Yes, you do very well in recalling all the many Bangor street names. I have not been back to New Haven, Conn in years (the area of Conn.where I grew up) but still remember most all the street names of that city. Chapel, Temple, Church, Elm, Crown, and all those many streets in very urban New Haven, home of Yale University. Such an historic Green there, with three churches in a row facing the large Green. Crime was way up there in the 80's (drive-by drug shootings, many times right near or on the campus of Yale, deteriorating buildings with lots of graffiti,etc.) but a lot of improvements in recent years and I have been told things look a lot cleaner and more appealing there again. Some wonderful museums and theatres there....love the art museums, including one of several at Yale that features all art from Britain. Of course, there are more art museums there than that one featuring all English art.

Pouring rain in Bangor at 7:21 PM Eastern Time. I would assume no fireworks tonight....probably re-scheduled for tomorrow night. Probably very disappointing to many.

My paternal grandmother (who I barely knew) was originally from Tennessee, but lived most of her life in St Petersburg, Fla. For many years, during the summer mos, she took the train from Florida to Old Orchard Beach, to work in a gift shop there, right near the beach. Long before my days in Maine (I lived in Conn. then.)

As for our President...."Obama ding dong".....you made someone very happy with that remark on another post (that poster is no one I hardly ever agree with.) I will be quite blunt and honest in telling you I worked as a volunteer for the campaign of our current President. So, guess it really changes nothing as affects comments on this Wayne Reilly site.

It takes all kinds of people....and many points of view. I grew up in a Republican household. I do like Colin Powell and William Cohen (originally of Bangor, of course.) and some others. Each to his own......anyway you made a friend with another poster on the BDN site.....she/he cannot stand our President and blames him for everything (probably for the rain today.) I find it very tiresome, but each to their own.

Enjoy your 4th of July. We are really getting rained out here.

Amtrak has some discounts for senior citizens, I think. Something to look forward to!!

Sorry, chersully2000 for not posting more timely. I could not get my scrolling down below my comment made last time, so I had to wait. Internet problems again in the satellite, I guess.

Yes, Happy 4th of July to you, too, ma'am. Yes, we have a lot of festivities - even legal sales of some types of fireworks. Of course, there are many other kinds smuggled in from Mexico and these are better ones than the Americans have. We decided, along with my best friend and business associate, not to go out in the Sea Ray this weekend. There are too many out on the ocean riding around on their jet skis, boats, float planes, parachutes being towed around and all. Best just to sit back and enjoy a simple BBQ and cold Corona beer in the back yard.

I see that the parade in Bangor was a sloppy hit of sorts. It rained. Too bad. The weather patterns this year are awful. My friend in Bangor tells me he is ready to head someplace else, as he forgot what the sun actually looked like. I just knew it...in the Shriner's Day Parade, many folks did not like the parades that were held in Bangor (other than the Shriner's). They said the usual school buses, fire trucks, police cars, marching little bands, flatbed trucks and pickups are the "same-old" year after year. Even the candy-throwers! Bangor should have a REAL parade for the 4th. Although what I saw in the photo on the parade in this edition was nice; little girls wearing flag dresses and all. The Vets should have rode in the Army and Air Guard vehicles, instead of school buses.

That's okay, chersully2000, you can mention all the fried clams you want to. I used to eat them. There was some dingy bar out on Main Street near where Shaw's is now (is Norm Jolin still the manager there at Shaw's) where the fried clams were absolutely the best...of course, with pitchers of cold beer to go along with it. My friends and I would go there in the summer and get a big platter of these things and gorge ourselves. I like seafood, ma'am, but not a lot of it. Clams are not on my ocean menu anymore, though.

I think there is a restaurant over in Brewer, Cap Morrill's, that has great sea cuisine. Is it still operating?

Yes, Yale IS in New Haven. Many famous folks attended Yale. Too bad for the 1980's crime but like cockroaches, you need to "relocate" these critters somewhere else or get rid of them forever. Then, bring back the town like it is supposed to be. Remember, now, the US history began in the area you grew up in, and this could be the reason so much art was brought from Britain and other countries near them.

I commented on some recent articles today in the News, but most likely Monday will be the edition to catch. They don't publish on weekends; only updating some stories. My guests are still at the house, so I better get back to them and the BBQ. We did not get to the parade in our city, Malibu, but we were told it was great. We saw the fireworks from our higher, second-level patio. That, too, was great. We have Monday and Tuesday off from work, and so as last Friday, so we got 5 days off total. We head out on the water tomorrow. This time the girls and the kids stay home. Just 7 of us guys will take a day on the water.

Oh, my son just said you posted and I did not know you came in, in front of me.

Uh, oh, no fireworks because of rain. I'll bet that is very frustrating. The people should deserve more than that, but, as Mother Mary (Our Blessed Virgin) is said in strict Roman Catholic tradition, to be the one to control the weather, maybe there is something to this. We never, ever, second guess or criticize the way weather can be. It's our friend, and enemy, too. We always recover, it seems. Too bad for the fireworks program, though.

Oh, so your maternal grandmother had migrated from Tennessee to St. Pete? I mentioned that I lived in Clearwater and Duneden; also Tarpon Springs several times in my life on work assignments. I liked it there. There was a dinner club which had plays with famous actors just off the causeway coming from Clearwater into St. Pete, which I went to quite a few times. I wonder if your grand-mom was at OOB at the time I always went there (see comments on Old Orchard in the article), from 1942 through 1958. I wonder if we actually saw each other?

Oh, so much for the Obama Lama Ding Dong. I have heard him called much worse than that! You should have seen to many articles written on his parents, his brother's, friend's and his own background. This was confirmed through government investigatory sources, and it is a wonder how this guy slipped-into the election nomination process in the first place. I did not vote in the election. I know about Hillary and Bill's background - not good! I know about Obama's background - not good. I know about McCain's background - good, but he is too shaky and drawn-back. Not presidential material, any of them. But, we do have Obama and the country has to to support him. I know he is despised in foreign countries and by fellow Americans living abroad. He slipped-into the process the same way Clinton did. An unknown with no experience, with shady past records, and won on electoral college results and a slim margin of popular votes. What we knew then and what we know now would not have elected him. His oratory style reminds me of the records of historic oratory styles of the Roman Senate - BC!

As I'm independent, changing from lifelong Republican in 1990, you can say I'm right-winger. But, not ultra religious conservative. I did not vote in last election, as I said, nobody I trusted to vote for. Whatever Obama does, we have no control over, so we just have to carry on and go with our lives. My wishes are that we get into no more foreign wars or create them; do not change any foreign countries way of life or governmental process; keep our big mouths shut (government, of course) when we are forced to tell what the US will do or give opinions on foreign governments internal methods and decisions; keep concentrating on the affairs of the US - illegal immigration, ever-raising property and household taxes, unemployment, unemployment, outsourcing problems, security of airports, harbors, railways, borders; deportation of all foreign nations not authorized to remain in the US; shutting down 75% of immigrant visas for at least ten years; fixing economic problems first; and getting this "same-sex" marriage and ancillary laws back under control of our religions and basic rights of freedom and leave the "same-sexers" to live their lives alone - in peace and happy harmony wherever they want, but not to interfere with the lives of little children who learn their lifestyles, and use these people as someone to look up to, so the 99% of Americans can enjoy life as it is meant to be, under founding and religious law this country was based on. This country was founded on principals of 1773 to 1776; thus, people have changed the face of laws and life. It is not in-keeping with old-time laws and principals, but at least we cannot be drawn into such demeaning practices we have to share with any sub-class of citizen. But, things are heading that way - in the wrong direction.

Oh yes.....McCain's background was so good.....the way he dumped his wife with cancer to go to another. I guess not....

I respectfully disagree with a lot of the politics. So am just not going to go there. Now to get to the more interesting stuff! -

Yes, about the parade in Bangor. I hate to be too negative about just about anything, but not overly impressed. I guess a lot of folks think it is just fine, though, so will not "dump on it." I guess just being able to clap for all the veterans and families getting out with their young children is enough for some to celebrate. I , with some others, saw some of it today. Last yr. I saw more of it.

Yes, sir, Cap Morrill's is still very much there. And another one in Bangor....the name escapes me at the moment....will look it up later. Plus the one on Summer St in Bangor....the diner......am forgetting that one too! It is no longer there, but one in Hampden still there. They tried one for several yrs on State Street (near Birch St) but it went out after just a few yrs. Going to look that up now.

I think you must be in southern Calif from what you say, but not sure, and perhaps not a good idea to write about those things here!

Dana's Grill !....was for many yrs. on Summer Street. I know a lot of folks when visiting the Bangor area always made a stop at Dana's grill for a lobster roll and fries!

I guess we live in much different worlds. Obama despised in other countries?? Not from what I read and hear. Quite the opposite.My goodness. Bush was very much not liked in many countries and just about everyone knows this. Boy, we must get our information from different sources. I am NOT a right-winger!! Enough of that....think we should just agree to disagree. You will find many posters on the BDN who will be more in line with what you think and believe politically.....and many others, not. That is what makes the world go 'round, they have always said.

As the right winger you state you are.....usually they are very pro being in Iraq,etc.!!

I admit I do not understand really much of what you write above about politics (99% of Americans,etc) but that is okay. I respect the dignity of all to have committed and responsible lives. I do not see where heterosexual couples have some kind of monopoly on setting a good example as pertains to marriage,etc. I think there has been a lot of hypocrisy lately from the so-called Moral Majority and all their extra-marital affairs. They had better watch out what they are always accusing "liberals" of. It is unbelievable.

I am not young, but guess I have kind of a "younger" outlook and perspective than many of my fellow posters on this site (BDN) of a comparable age. People always guess me for much younger! ( good genes, good outlook, good habits,etc)

You are right....Yale IS New Haven! I had the opportunity growing up, to see many famous plays that then went on to Broadway if they passed muster with the critical audiences of New Haven at the Schubert Theatre there. I saw Katherine Hepburn on stage, and also Mary Martin in the original "Sound of Music", among others. Still love watching that movie every yr with Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer and the children. Glorious!

My paternal grandmother, I think, wished to get away from the Fla heat in the summers, and loved Maine, from what I gather. My paternal grandfather was born in England and moved to Milwaukee as a young adult. I have English and Dutch on maternal grandmother's side. (that grandmother lived in New Haven area all her life and lived to be 2 mos shy of her 100th birthday.)

well cher, I quess the bible should be your guide to whats moral..... At least that's what Christians use. Oh well not everyone who say's they're Christian are actually Christian. You're right, we do get our information from different sources. I find it rather humorous the way you go throw out your jabs at those you disagree with, and come here and brag about it like no notices.....very strange. Oh, by the way lets not forget Edwards dumping his wife if you want to politicize the affairs of men.

You have a good evening

9:28 pm, what is your problem? Stop harassing other commenters. It's against the posting rules.

He is a sad little paranoid.....thinks someone is leaving him out....like someone was coming here to "brag like no one notices." He gave himself away. And he considers himself way too important!

He has no control . And I think we can all post wherever we darn like!

10:05 pm, agreed! BTW, hope all is well with you too. ;-D

Cre8RoyalPalm: Some of your fellow right wingers on here sure do not persuade one....oh yes.....persuade one they are glad to be elsewhere!

Sir, I enjoy our exchanges....on all manner of things....mostly history. A sad little trouble-maker will change that not at all. (smile) That other poster here gets everything so wrong too....it is amazing. No, Cre8RoyalPalm....most of us do not think much of it. And, he was the last thing on our minds!!

Hope you and upsidedownia are enjoying the holiday weekend!

upsidedownia: "The good Christian" ,don't you know!!....he tried it with JD2008 and others.....tried to "tell them things" about someone.....show how "he knows everything and has figured some people out"....but funny thing....it never works.....these people figure things out on their own....and really do not pay him much heed at all. And to keep it up.....what kind of a person would even care to do that....and then himself a "Christian". Good Christians do not have the need or impulse to act as this individual does, as most on here know. A good Christian would have no need to come to this Wayne Reilly site where he never posts about the subject and butt in on 2 people who are mostly talking about boats, trains, history of Bangor,etc. just to make trouble and try to tell Cre,etc. who he thinks is a Christian ,etc.Oh, and then Cre8 might not want to post with me anymore....don't you know!! Oh, too bad....... This individual is beyond deluded. He reads the comment section and then hops over.....well, we know. He has accused others of doing just that...such a good "Christian."

Cre8RoyalPalm: Shall see tomorrow or Monday what Mr. Reilly has to say about Bangor.....he is slowing making his way forward in Bangor history!!

Chersully2000, as far as "good Christians" go, I'm pretty sure that most Christians -- good, bad, or otherwise -- would consider it blasphemy to cherry-pick bible verses to try to advance one's own political agenda. Wasn't there some story about Jesus throwing the money-changers out of the temple? It's kind of analogous to that.

Yes.....and it seems like some kind of "agenda" when you go try and tell others (JD) etc, what they are supposed to think of another. You know....basic decency? (trying to turn someone against another.....what Christians do!!!) A real control freak.. He is a very poor spokesperson for anything....No one most of us would want anything to do with.

What does this story have to do with politics or religion? Why does every story on here have to get ruined by posters that can't stay on topic? I think the BDN should start deleting all posts that are off-topic or just cut and paste. There are so many stories here where people can argue, why not keep the feel good threads just that. I know the BDN thinks this is good for business because of all the activity but maybe they should notice that it's only a handful of posters even bothering to contribute anymore. Every thread ends precisely the same way, so why bother?

MaineExpatriat: Cre8RoyalPalm and myself among very few others come on the Wayne Reilly one to read about the history he writes on here every week. We write about trains, boats, Bangor history quite a lot, if you go to the beginning. I don't know why that bothered someone. I counted about 35 posts(the majority of posts here) from me, Carol and Cre8RoyalPalm on here, mostly about the history of Bangor. Maybe you overlooked those. Sorry if it bothered you in some way. Maybe the BDN will remove them; you could write them on the Inappropriate Comments if you so wish.

I didn't miss anything chersully and the history posts were not what I was referencing, obviously.

For the most part, MaineExpatriat, the people I referenced above have mostly written about Bangor history; for the most part. But like on other BDN comment pages, the posters do not always stay completely on topic. It is a good thing to strive for however; I agree with you on that.

Wonder, sir, what the next Wayne Reilly article will be about.....trains? boats? Boston architecture? Always interesting to find out.

CORRECTION:

Don't know if you will be checking back on this one again, as it is soon time for the new one.....but of course, I meant Bangor architecture above, not Boston!!...Wow...guess I had Boston on the brain after watching the fireworks display put on by the Boston Pops last night with some friends. No, not in person, but later that night on TV (10 PM) Spectacular! They always put on a wonderful show there. But, Bangor did well this year....much better than in recent yrs, I must say, and that seems to be the consensus (weather did not put a damper on them!)