YESTERDAY …
10 years ago — Jan. 1, 2005
(As reported in the Bangor Daily News)
BANGOR — Walking into Clay by Design, visitors will find a wall of white plates, mugs, bowls, animal shapes and even a giant planter. The pieces of pottery are waiting to be adorned with stamps, stencils and rainbow of paint colors.
The latest addition to downtown Bangor’s art scene, Clay by Design is among a growing number of do-it-yourself art studios scattered around Maine.
Melissa Laverdiere, Clay by Design’s proprietor, got the idea for her business ona rainy day last summer when her family was vacationing in Saco. The beach was out, but painting pottery at The Clay Place in the resort town seemed like a fun and dry alternative.
25 years ago — Jan. 1, 1990
CASTINE — Two Panamanian students at Maine Maritime Academy, stranded in Castine because of the U.S. invasion of their homeland, have been watching the events carefully from the parish house of Our Lady of Holy Hope Catholic Church, where they are staying during the school recess.
Alejandro Henao and Peter Podest, both sophomores at MMA, said their planned flights home had been delayed because of the invasion. They added that their views about the invasion might differ somewhat because the come from different areas.
Henao lives on the Atlantic side of the country where fighting lasted a day or two. Podest came from the Pacific coast of Panama, and his parents are living in Panama City where most of the action has been.
Both their families have survived the destruction.
Henao said the scenes on television showing the Panamanian people cheering the U.S. troops seemed to be an accurate reflection of the people’s reaction to the invasion, based on his conversations with family and friends.
BANGOR — Despite several complications, including a major power outage and threatening weather, Opening Night ‘90 was dubbed a success by organizers.
The power outage, which affected the entire service area of Bangor Hydro-Electric Co., interfered with acts at the Penobscot Theatre and the Opera House, but organizer Ken Stack said that by 5:30 p.m. power had been restored and the events were back on schedule.
Some performances, such as the New England Vaudeville Revue at the Penobscot Theatre, took place in the dark, Stack said.
This was the second year for the New Year’s celebration in Bangor and the first year events indoors were scheduled.
50 years ago — Jan. 1, 1965
HAMPDEN — One of the sweetest bundles of joy to greet the new year was Miss Laurie Ann Jones, 13 months, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Jones, Crestwood Trailer Park, Hampden.
BANGOR — William McKenna, former Bangor newspaper man, has been named director of general advertising of Scripps-Howard Newspapers.
McKenna, 50, joined the Chicago office of the Scripps-Howard general advertising department in 1945, after World War II service with the Maritime Commission and position with the Bangor Daily Commercial and Ward-Griffith Company, newspaper representatives.
His wife is the former Betsy Connors of Bangor.
BANGOR — Playing at movie theaters on New Year’s Eve were “Sex and the Single Girl” starring Natalie Wood, Henry Fonda, Lauren Bacall and Mel Ferrer at the Bijou; and “Father Goose” starring Cary Grant and Leslie Caron at the Bangor Opera House.
BANGOR — Fun, music and merriment took over Bangor Thursday evening as residents and guests ushered in 1965 at large and small public celebrations or at private home parties.
Like an old soldier, 1964 “just faded away,” but with a lot of noise. As the old year was wrapped up and tucked into the annals of history, it was hurried on its way with the popping of balloons, blasting of horns and enthusiastic shouting.
Noise-makers, serpentines and party hats were plentiful and added much to the atmosphere of festivity. Dancing was the main entertainment on the program for the evening. Of course, food was also one of the pleasures enjoyed by merrymakers, whether it was dinner, an early breakfast or buffet style.
100 years ago — Jan. 1, 1915
WINTERPORT — A very pretty wedding took place at the Methodist Episcopal parsonage, when Gladys, the fifth daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Silas Lane, was united in marriage to Herbert Huston of Brewer. The bride was prettily dressed in blue moussaline with white shadow lace trimmings, and a white hat.
Mr. and Mrs. Huston will reside in Brewer.
ORONO — Aubert Hall, the new chemical and physics building at the University of Maine is practically completed. It will be a showplace of the university as far as the odd and the unusual are concerned. When fully equipped there will be few if any educational institutions in the country with more complete equipment for the study and investigation of physics and chemistry.
The building is a practically fireproof four-story brick and concrete structure with many large windows. The floors are hard pine and oak supported on 11-inch by 18-inch beams.
OLD TOWN — Mrs. Carroll Naughton is confined to her home on Stillwater Avenue, the result of injuries received by being thrown to the ground by a double runner [sled].
The pleasant night with a bright moon has brought out a large crowd coasting every night on Academy Hill.
Mrs. Naughton started to cross Elm Street, which is at the foot of the hill, when she saw a double runner coming toward her at great speed. She became bewildered, stood still and then stepped back into the path of the sled which struck her, throwing her to the ground. She was taken to a neighboring house and a physician summoned. Her face was cut and she received a bad shaking up, but no bones were broken.
ORONO — Friends of Miss Zelma Corey will be sorry to learn she was quite badly injured while coasting [sliding] down Ferry Hill Wednesday evening.
BREWER — Although nothing has been said about checker playing or players for some little time, the interest has been just as keen and the close games have been played.
About four months ago after repeated unsuccessful attempts, C.W. Gray won the championship in this city from Leon A. Boynton who had held it for a considerable time.
Mr. Boynton submitted gracefully to his defeat, but made a few resolves in his own mind, to come back. On Thursday afternoon the great event happened and Mr. Boynton won back his laurels and the championship. He is now wearing a wreath on his brow and is willing to meet players in ones or twos or in bunches and the results bid fair to be interesting and exciting.
Compiled by Ardeana Hamlin