YESTERDAY …
10 years ago — March 12, 2005
(As reported in the Bangor Daily News)
CASTINE — It was a time of world tension. Two world powers faced off against each other in a cold war that used fear as a weapon and spurred both a nuclear arms race and a race for space as the United States and the Soviet Union vied for scientific and technical superiority not only in weapons and machines but in intelligence as well.
At a quiet center of the quest for information was Edward Miller of Castine, who, as a research engineer with General Electric Corp. working on the top-secret Corona Project, was a key figure in the development of America’s first generation of spy satellites.
Miller, now 84, and four other engineers on the Corona Project, which was declassified in 1995, were honored recently in Washington, D.C., with the Charles Stark Draper Prize, the highest honor bestowed by the National Academy of Engineers.
ORONO — Just nine days after the official start of spring, resigned Mainers are gassing up their snowblowers and stocking up on five-day video rentals in preparation for another doozy of a snowstorm.
Patron’s of Park’s Hardware in Orono spent Friday chatting about the latest winter storm, projected to drop 10 to 20 inches on the Bangor area Friday night and today.
25 years ago — March 12, 1990
HAMPDEN — Pounds of pennies are being collected by pupils from Hampden, Newburgh and Winterport to benefit the Greater Bangor Area Shelter. Eighth-grader Joe Leonard steadied a two-wheeled lift as classmate Matt Charland unloaded part of the estimated 224,000 pennies they already have collected. The pupils are trying to collect a million pennies for the shelter.
50 years ago — March 12, 1965
BANGOR — Capt. Wilburt L. Jenkins, Army recruiting officer, was present at the Juliet Low Tea at Mary Snow School to present a 50-star flag given by the Bangor Recruiting Station to the girls who have been trying to raise money to buy one. Scout troops from the Mary Snow School held their annual tea, which was duplicated throughout troops of the 5,500 member Abnaki Girl Scout Council, to honor Juliette Lowe during National Girl Scout Week. Scouts this week are celebrating their organization’s 53rd birthday. The council consists of more than 6,500 girls and adults. The Girl Scout program aims to provide a bridge to the future in its continuous program for girls 7 through 17 by developing good citizenship, teaching important skills, encouraging career exploration and increasing world understanding.
OLD TOWN — A spokesman for the Old Town Junior Chamber of Commerce announced plans for the incorporation of an independent civic group to build a $50,000 outdoor swimming pool here.
Speaking at the weekly meeting of the city’s Rotary Club, Jaycee pool committee chairman Ralph Leonard outlined the by-laws for such a group, which will be formally incorporated next week.
The goal of the independent corporation is the eventual construction of a centrally located swimming pool in the city.
BANGOR — Win or lose, a basketball coach is in the public eye for a great part of each year, and when the season hits its stride the spotlight really bears down.
Out of the spotlight, but an important part of the picture, rejoicing or despairing with her husband according to his team’s standing is the coach’s wife.
Mrs. George Wentworth of Millinocket has top rating for number of years “in the game,” having followed the Stearns teams since 1940.
Mrs. Frederick “Red” Barry of Bangor qualifies for second place, having been involved with the game since 1953.
Both Mrs. Eugene “Dint” Lovely, wife of Presque High School’s coach, and Mrs. Robert “Bob’ Nixon of East Vassalboro, wife of the coach of Winslow High School, have enough basketball years to qualify as “seasoned.”
100 years ago — March 12, 1915
BREWER — A quiet home wedding was solemnized at the home of the bride in South Brewer when Miss Lucy M. Bolton was married to Ernest James Grant of Steuben. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. H.L. Griffin in the presence of the immediate family and the single ring service was used.
The bride was gowned in a traveling suit of medium blue and was attended by her sister Miss Marion Bolton. Arthur McAlister of Old Town was groomsman.
The young couple departed on the afternoon train for Steuben where they will reside for the summer.
BREWER — Frances Packard, the little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Packard of Parker Street, started to cross Center Street as a team driven by C.A. Gifford was approaching. The child evidently did not see the team and Mr. Gifford did not see the child. The horse struck the child with a forward foot and knocked her down and both wheels passed over her body. The wagon was a light one and upon being picked up, the child seemed to have suffered no serious injury, only being badly frightened and bruised.
The horse kicked but the child having already fallen was not injured by that.
Mr. Gifford took her to her home and she was very comfortable that evening. Her greatest trouble at that time was the fact that she had to miss school, not previously having had a mark against her name on the record for attendance.
BREWER — Another piece of furniture made by a high school student in manual training is on exhibition in Baynton’s window. This piece is a music cabinet made and finished by Harold Vayo. The mahogany stain gives it an attractive finish and the completed article is a credit to the maker.
WINTERPORT — Harold Taylor, the senior who will represent Winterport High School at the Colby Interscholastic Prize Speaking contest, had the honor of winning the interscholastic prize in Orono last season and is a speaker of high merit. He enjoys his reputation of being not only a fine orator, but also a versatile comedian. His friends predict that he will make a good showing at Waterville.
Compiled by Ardeana Hamlin