YESTERDAY …
10 years ago — March 20, 2004
(As reported in the Bangor Daily News)
BANGOR — Americans spend more than $18 billion annually on herbal concoctions that claim to heal everything from acne and arthritis to PMS and diminished sex drive.
Separating the products that work from those that don’t is the mission of just a handful of testing labs, one of which operates in green, three-story Victorian house on State Street in Bangor.
The Herbal Research Clinic, in Bangor for five years, is sought by manufacturers of dietary supplements to conduct scientific trials on new products. The manufacturers, said owner James Blum, sometimes pay close to $100,000 for the clinic’s careful evaluation of the herbal remedies, which it described in a detail report of about 100 pages.
BANGOR — To most people, there’s no doubt that the arts and cultural expression can enhance a community’s quality of life, sense of place, the past and the present. They can also spur economic activity, as Bangor has seen in the last few years.
A strategy for cultivating the city’s arts and cultural offerings is the subject of two public comment sessions next week.
Then city will conduct two public sessions aimed at eliciting comment and suggestions on a draft municipal cultural plan.
25 years ago — March 20, 1989
BREWER — With their faces painted with clown makeup and the remnants of cotton candy, hundreds of kids ignored the somewhat unfestive weather Saturday and dragged their parents to the annual Eastern Carnival at the Brewer Auditorium.
Barbara Adams, superintendent for the Brewer Recreational Department, which sponsored the event, said that more than 700 people attended the carnival.
“Considering the road conditions,” Adams said, “I’m really overwhelmed.”
BANGOR — A truck driven by a city of Bangor Public Works employee slid on icy First Street into a Bangor Hydro-Electric Co. pole late Saturday, snapping the pole in half and knocking out power in part of the area. Bangor Hydro employees worked for five hours to restore power.
Bangor police closed off part of Cedar Street to traffic while Bangor Hydro employees worked to gather a line crew to replace the pole and restore electricity.
50 years ago — March 20, 1964
ORONO — To those who may have winced at the suggestion of viewing “Doctor Faustus” at the University of Maine opening night Thursday, perhaps anticipating a tranquilizing tirade — hark!
From the first gloom of ambitious thirst for power through devilish knowledge to the final throes of relentless reality, the audience is captivated by the action and plot surrounding Faustus.
Perhaps of equal magnetism to the play was the new Hauck Auditorium, where variety in lighting and staging effects seemed unlimited. Maine Masque performers made their debut in the cast theatre to nearly a full house.
ORONO — Mrs. Frank H. Howd was elected president of the Thursday Club at the Thursday meeting of the group held at 2:30 p.m. in the Student Memorial Union Building, University of Maine.
Mrs. Harold L. Chute, the retiring president, conducted the meeting and the afternoon’s speaker was Professor Richard C. Hill who addressed the group on the subject, “More Power for Maine.” Over 40 members attended the session.
100 years ago — March 20, 1914
BANGOR — J.E. York, an engineer on the Bangor & Aroostook railroad, was arrested in Houlton yesterday afternoon by C.G. Varney, assistant probation officer of the Roxbury municipal court, who was accompanied by Thomas S. Downey of Boston, a yard conductor on the New York, New Haven & Hartford. They charged that York had defaulted a $50 bond given in Massachusetts.
Heavily manacled, York was put aboard a train and, in charge of the two men making the arrest, was brought to Bangor.
When the train arrived at the Maine Central station, at 12:30 Friday morning, deputy sheriffs, fully armed, guarded every entrance and the trio were taken from the train and into the waiting room. President Todd of the B. & A., Henry P. Binney of Boston, one of the directors, and Joseph F. Gould, the road’s attorney, were also in attendance.
Sheriff O’Connell demanded that Probation Officer Vraney display his requisition papers for York. He could not do so, but he refused to give up his prisoner. The sheriff himself thereupon unlocked York’s handcuffs, and Varney and Downey were formally placed under restraint. Then the whole party walked to the sheriff’s office.
Varney and Downey will be formally arraigned this morning on the charge of kidnapping.
BREWER — Alden Eugene Hodgkins and Miss Carrie O. Smart were united in marriage Wednesday afternoon at the home of the bride’s mother, 93 Holyoke street. Rev. B.B. Beatty of the Baptist church performed the service. The double ring service was used.
Both young people are well known here and have hosts of friends who will unite in good wishes for them. They will be at home to their friends after May at 93 Holyoke street.
Compiled by Brian Swartz