YESTERDAY …
10 years ago — July 8, 2005
(As reported in the Bangor Daily News)
BREWER — Any angler can tell you that there are plenty of big fish (and other critters) in the Penobscot River. Atlantic salmon still return, an occasional seal makes its way up to Bangor and a couple years back a pilot whale even made a visit.
But when Keith Bates pulled off at the popular angling turnout in South Brewer two weeks ago, all he was thinking about was striped bass.
Boy, was he in for a surprise.
Bates’ fish tale began when he decided to check his bait after having no luck in an hour of angling.
“It [caught] on bottom and I pulled on it real hard,” the poor man recalled. “I felt [my line] move toward me and then it pulled my rod about a foot backward.”
While Bates initially had been snagged on a rock, the sudden jerk told him a fish had been hooked. He quickly learned that the fish was a whopper … though not the kind of whopper he thought.
Armed with an Ugly Stick rod outfitted with a 25-pound test line, Bates tried to play with what he thought must be a striper in excess of 40 inches.
That’s when all of the fishermen got a big surprise: The striper wasn’t a striper at all. It was a huge sturgeon.
BANGOR — How to honor the memory of deceased people became one of the first tasks of the new city subcommittee.
Members of the Commission for Cultural Developments are in public places subcommittee grappled with how to best remember Charlie Howard, the victim of an infamous hate crime, and Ronald Raymond, a longtime city motor mechanic who died while on the job at Norumbega Parkway.
Bangor Savings Bank wants to install an inscribed bench, with a tree or shrub, in Norumbega Parkway in memory of Raymond, the city worker.
Over the months, the design for the Howard Memorial has evolved from a metal arc over the stream, to a torch, to the current design, a pedestal style monument that its designer, Tom Hudgins of Bradford, described as minimalist.
25 years ago — July 8, 1990
BANGOR — Moshe Meyerowitz, competing in his first ever 10K racewalk, captured his age division title in the U.S. Racewalk Championships held in Niagara Falls, New York.
The 60-year-old Meyerowitz of Bangor toured the 6.2 mile course in 58 minutes, 26 seconds, and held off a late charge from Frank Fina of Niagara Falls for the age 60-64 divisional championship.
In a field of 97 competitors age 50 and over, Myerowitz placed fifth overall.
50 years ago —July 8, 1965
BANGOR — Norbert X. Dowd, executive secretary of the Bangor Chamber of Commerce, was appointed an ex-officio member of the Bangor Dow Reuse Committee.
Dowd’s appointment brings to 10 the number of regular and ex-officio members on the committee which, as far as has been publicly announced, have met only twice for briefings.
Dowd has been active in community affairs and has given particular attention to many aspects of the reuse of Dow Air Force Base. In recent months, Dowd has conducted a survey for the Chamber among members to determine the impact of Dow’s closing on the city’s economy.
BANGOR — DACOWITS may sound like just another set of letters to be memorized in this age of abbreviations. However, like ASCAP, UNESCO and CARE, it has a vital meaning.
Miss Jean McLean, director of the University of Maine’s School of Nursing, is one of the 50 women serving on the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services. She is the only woman in Maine on the committee and the first woman appointed from the state.
Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara appoints these women who serve three-year terms. Membership on the committee is limited to 50 civilian women from all of the country, not necessarily one from every state. Each is selected for her outstanding reputation in business or profession and for civic work. They are not official representatives of any group or organization, but serve as individuals
BANGOR — There was no waiting at Fairmount Park as children scrambled over the new Climb-A-Round that workman were installing. The youngsters couldn’t wait for the final few supporting bars to be placed, as they headed for the heights. These Climb-A- Rounds, reportedly, are as “in” with the grammar school set is orange popsicles.
100 years ago — July 8, 1915
BANGOR — Monday’s splendid program of sports, which the Eagles had prepared for the enjoyment of Bangor people and which was postponed to Saturday on account of the inclement weather, will be given in its entirety at Maplewood Park.
Almost every kind of athletic event appears on the program and in each event a number of well-known athletes will compete. There will be distance runs, motorcycle races, a matched horse race, a ballgame and for a climax to the day a boxing exhibition between two well-known local boxers.
In the 10-mile road race in which a number of good runners are entered, another entry has been made. Clifford J. Horne, who usually runs under the colors of the Dorchester A. A., but who appears in this race unattached, will form part of a strong field of distance runners. Another good runner entered is Mitchell, the Old Town Indian, although a good bet would be either Francis or Neptune to win.
BREWER — While the majority of people in the city as well as those in other towns are grumbling because of the frequent and copious rains, one woman in the city has reasons for rejoicing. She’s discovered a practical and very exciting way of keeping a good supply of food for her hens.
Directly after and during every rain, the earthworms come to the surface to get water. By keeping a sharp watch and making some quick dives, these worms may be caught before they draw themselves back into their holes.
This woman, who resides in Wilson Street, with the help of another person, recently succeeded in capturing a quart of these delicate morsels for the hens’ menu.
Jacking night crawlers has long been practiced by fishermen but this daylight work goes one better and as there is no patent on it as yet other people may easily get into the excitement of this new idea.
BREWER — The Penobscot Lumber and Box Co. began work within a few days of the fire, which destroyed their plane mill, upon the construction of a new mill. A foundation has been built and the side timbers are in place with the work rapidly progressing.
The new structure will be of wood and is located nearer the other buildings than the one which was burned. This building will be close to the railroad sidetrack to the mill and the mill floor will be level with the floors of the cars to be loaded in this way, making the work much easier.
Compiled by Ardeana Hamlin