YESTERDAY …
10 years ago — Nov. 27, 2004
(As reported in the Bangor Daily News)
BANGOR — Standing in bitter cold weather early Friday morning, Bangor area shoppers had two things on their minds: hot bargains and hotter coffee.
Thousands got their deals and stores started opening at 5 a.m.
Dunkin’ Donuts on Hogan Road began serving coffee at 4:30 a.m., but many of the nearby shoppers, some in line for three hours, at that point, didn’t want to leave their posts. The lure of “huge amounts off” was more tempting than having a hot cup in their hands spreading warmth over their chilled fingers.
BANGOR — Behind a screened door off the parking lot near Frank’s Bakery in Bangor, a powerhouse of a toy company is being built one brightly colored block at a time.
Taurus Toy and three lines of construction system sets are racking up international toy awards faster than kids are stacking up the 40, 60 or 100 pieces in each box.
With the holiday season underway, Taurus Toy is busier than Santa Claus and Christmas eve. Sales for the company’s Maine made “Block ’N Roll,” “No Ends” and “Clics” systems are increasing steadily as demonstrations at toy stores and children’s museums nationwide are resulting in ringing cash registers.
25 years ago — Nov. 27, 1989
BANGOR — In this sixth day after the Blizzard of 1989, the plow trucks of central Maine are plowing, the sand trucks are sanding, and the police officers and rescue personnel are sorting through the debris of another day of destruction on the highways. Earlier, it was snowing. Later, the snow turned to rain. Then, the sun came out. And on this Sunday night, it got colder and the roads glazed over and the public service workers were out again doing their winter thing.
As one of the last advocates of public transportation in Maine, this reporter was on a chance to trip to Bangor last Wednesday on a Greyhound bus. The hours spent on Interstate 95 between East Newport and the first Bangor exit was one of sheer terror. The bus slipped and slid into a single line of traffic composed of little cars and big trucks, all struggling to find a patch of bare pavement. There was no bare pavement, of course, because the two northbound lanes were blanketed with ice.
Automobiles were off the road everywhere. One was balanced ludicrously on a snow bank facing into what had been the fast lane, its emergency flashers finishing off the battery that had survived a crunching collision.
OLD TOWN — A group of Old Town elementary school children recently were treated to lunch at McDonald’s after raising funds for the expansion project of the Old Town Public Library. The lunch was provided courtesy of the restaurant. Among the children enjoying the lunch were Matthew Cashman, Erika Dow, Julia Lonko and Jeff Shepard
50 years ago — Nov. 27, 1964
BANGOR — Unless Dow AFB is redeveloped in such a way as to bring thousands of new citizens into the Bangor area, the impact here on the housing market will be severe and of long-standing.
Housing is probably the single element of the area’s economy that will be the hardest hit by the phaseout of the military facility, expected to be completed by mid-1968.
The ultimate question of how 1,150 living units at Capehart will be disposed of becomes paramount. If they are placed on the private market, the effects can only be “severe” in the words of one appraiser.
Capehart, if privately disposed off, is expected to have its heaviest impact on rentals as most of these government homes are adaptable for this purpose, especially the new four-apartment homes.
ORONO — The Church of Universal Fellowship has announced the “adoption” of a second Greek child, Nicholas Vrontakis, a 7-year-old boy, who lives with his family in the harbor city of Piraeus. Since August 1961, a portion of the church school offerings has helped toward the adoption of Dimitrios Dafnopoulos, a 14-year-old Greek boy who lives with his family near Larissa in central Greece. The assistance for Dimitrios is now no longer needed.
100 years ago — Nov. 27, 1914
BREWER — One of the largest crowds which ever witnessed a football game on Rollins field, numbering 500 or more men and women, was present to witness this much heralded game between the high school team and the Nites of the Road.
Those who are expecting comedy were not disappointed for when the Nites came upon the field they wore straw hats of various styles and carried their football upon a litter. Those carrying the litter wore Red Cross bands upon their arms and called themselves ball bearers, but fully expected to be pallbearers before the game was over.
A large band of “Royal Rooters” followed the team and gave them good support from the sidelines.
The high school team won a touchdown made by Worth in the first quarter and no other score was made until the last quarter when Smith made a touchdown for the Nites, thus tying the score by 6 to 6.
This game ended the season of football this year and the high school team deserves great credit for successful playing. The receipts from the holiday game were such that the expenses of the season might be canceled and the boys will enjoy a well earned rest.
ORONO — The wedding of George A. King of Orono and Miss Edith M. Wadlin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. L.P. Wadlin of Great Works, was solemnized at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church by the Rev. E. Gauthier.
The bride was attended by her sister, Miss F. Joan Wadlin, and the groom was attended by George Baker of Orono.
The bride was attired in a brown traveling suit, with hat to match trimmed with white plumes. The bridesmaid also wore a brown suit with hat to match.
Mr. and Mrs. King are popular young people and have the best wishes of their many friends. They left on the noon train for Boston where they will spend their honeymoon, and on their return will reside in Orono.
BUCKSPORT — Thursday was a quiet Thanksgiving Day in Bucksport. There was no a special demonstration in the town during the day, everyone was at home enjoying the Thanksgiving dinner; however, in the latter part of the afternoon the men and the ladies commenced to appear out on the streets. There was also a dance held in Emery Hall in the evening.
Compiled by Ardeana Hamlin