(As reported in the Bangor Daily News)

10 years ago – July 18, 1992

HAMPDEN – L.L. Bean may never build a $50 million distribution center in Hampden.

Catharine Hartnett, public affairs specialist for L.L. Bean, said the Freeport sporting-goods firm had no plans to proceed with the project.

We remain committed to the [Hampden] area should facilities be needed,” Hartnett said Friday. “We’re not ruling out any development there; it just isn’t fitting our business needs.”

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EDDINGTON – The Eddington selectmen voted 3 to 1 this week to support the Veazie Dam portion of Bangor Hydro-Electric Co.’s Basin Mills project. They withheld endorsement of the entire Basin Mills project, including the new dam in Orono.

Last week the Bradley Town Council voted to become intervenors in support of the entire Basin Mills Project. Bradley Manager Rose Brooks said part of the reason for the town’s support for the Basin Mills dam is that the power house, estimated at a cost of $40 million, will be located in Bradley.

Old Town officials, representing the largest community to be affected by the proposed hydroelectric project, have yet to publicly endorse or oppose the project.

25 years ago – July 18, 1977

BANGOR – First they appeared as just a glint in the hot sky over Bangor International Airport.

But within seconds or less, the flying acrobats flashed overhead doing rolls and loops in a formation so close it seemed that the wings of the airplanes nearly touched.

And then, as quickly as they had approached for the first maneuver, the airplanes were past, leaving a thin while trail of smoke in their wake.

The five performing pilots, a narrating pilot, a logistics pilot, and some 40 support technicians who comprise the traveling squad of the Air Force’s Thunderbirds were the highlight of an all-day open house air show Sunday, which marked the 30th anniversary of the Maine Air National Guard.

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WINTERPORT – The site of last winter’s potato-loading boom is active again. Winterport Docks Inc., the operator of the pier, used to load shipfuls of potatoes during the fall and winter. It has been constructing a 10 million-pound capacity freezer warehouse.

According to manager Skip Lowe, the company hopes to have the warehouse ready for an expected shipment Aug. 1.

Lowe declined to specify just what would be arriving then, but said the warehouse would be capable of handling fish, fruit and other produce.

50 years ago – July 18, 1952

ORONO – Another scorching week with no rain can be a serious setback for even crops which will not be harvested until September, George Dow, director of the experiment station at the University of Maine, said last night. The pea crop being harvested for canning, Mr. Dow said, is only one-half what it should be and the Maine blueberry crop will be severely injured unless rain comes soon.

Mr. Dow said that the heavy rains this spring were a handicap to the blueberries in that the bees did not get out to pollinate the plants. The current drought, right at the time when blueberries should be well watered, is proving a serious handicap. “This is the crucial stage,” Mr. Dow said last night. He felt that if a heavy rain comes this weekend it will mean that crops will not be set back too much.

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BANGOR – The Penobscot County Area Rent Stabilization Advisory Board advocated yesterday that the Bangor City Council recommend continuation of rent controls in Bangor.

Rent controls are due to expire Sept. 30 unless municipal government groups recommend their continuation to next April, as provided in the existing federal rent control bill.

The advisory board was called before the council for an expression of necessity as far as Bangor is concerned and its members were unanimous in their opinion that controls should remain in force “at least” until next April.

100 years ago – July 18, 1902

HAMPDEN – Invitations were issued Thursday by the members of the Conduskeag Canoe club for a regatta and reception to be held at the club headquarters at the mouth of Sourdnahunk stream in East Hampden, Saturday afternoon and night, July 19.

The program as it has been arranged is practically the same as it was last year. The sports will be held beginning at 2 o’clock in the afternoon in front of the boat slip. There will be swimming races, paddling races, contests in ability to tip canoes, tub races, dashes with swims at the end, and all manner of original stunts that will be pleasing and what will require skill on the part of the participants to carry through to a successful finish.

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BREWER – About 9,000 people, more or less, an actual count was impossible, attended the first band concert of the season in City Hall park. The Brewer band furnished the entertainment and the people applauded when they were through playing a piece.

The band is the best one which Brewer has had for several years and deserves much credit. The selections were of the popular order. More events of the kind will please the people. It is expected that the city council will follow the example of other places and make an appropriation for a few concerts.

Compiled by Matt Poliquin