10 years ago – March 20, 1993

(As reported in the Bangor Daily News)

GREENBUSH – At least one resident would like to see the speed limit on Route 2 in town reduced from 55 to 45 mph.

Selectman Robert Carroll said a resident had asked him to see if the town could get the Department of Transportation to reduce the speed limit on Route 2 from Boom Bridge Brook to the Passadumkeag line.

The rest of the selectmen did not favor lowering the limit for the entire stretch, but felt that maybe the speed could be reduced around the Cardville Road where a hill followed by a bend in the road makes it difficult for trucks to get around the corner.

Selectmen thanked the staff at WCSN Radio station which opened its doors last weekend as an emergency shelter during the storm. The station has its own generator and a backup kitchen area. Two residents took advantage of the offer. The station also offered the use of its snow machine to the town if needed.

25 years ago – March 20, 1978

BRADFORD – Mrs. Gladys Huntington was honored at a meeting of the Happy Grandmothers Club at the home of Mrs. Charlotte Garnett. President Etta Stockwell presided at the business meeting with 11 members present.

Mrs. Hazel Tewksbury was awarded the mystery prize. Mrs. Evelyn Trask was given the special prize.

Mrs. Huntington was presented a gift from the club and birthday cake made by Mrs. Elizabeth Chute.

.

CORINTH – She’s 92 years young and she’s Corinth’s citizen of citizens.

Eva Blackwell, widow of Harvey Blackwell, is now the proud holder of the gold-headed Boston Post Cane for being the town’s oldest citizen.

Two great nephews, Delwin and Gareth Blackwell, recently had the honor of presenting the cane to her.

She makes her home with her daughter and husband, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur (Madelyn) Campbell.

Mrs. Blackwell is a member of the East Corinth United Baptist Church and has missed but few Sundays this winter.

She has been blessed with very good health and eyesight, and along with her hobbies of crochet and crewel embroidery, she has knit 30 pairs of mittens this winter.

50 years ago – March 20, 1953

BANGOR – Some of the best and most typical of Jewish music was heard Wednesday night at the Hebrew Community Center. Presented by the Pine Tree Lodge of B’nai B’rith, world famous Cantor Eugene Goldberger won an ovation from a most appreciative audience.

The first part of the program was devoted to Hebrew liturgical music, prayers for the High Holidays and other traditional devotions. Musically beautiful, they represented the deep ties between the Jewish religion and the art of music.

The religious songs were followed by Israelis and Yiddish folk songs of a lighter nature.

The program ended with songs familiar to recital goers, including Schubert’s “Serenade” with the often heard “O Sole Mio” sung in Hebrew and Yiddish.

Cantor Goldberger was accompanied at the piano by Miss Barbara Goodwin, member of the faculty of the Northern Conservatory of Music.

.

BREWER – Rochelle Rogan and Joan Drew were crowned “cookie queens’ at the weekly meeting of Brownie Troop 27 held at the VFW Hall. Prizes were presented by Mrs. John Chalmers.

The girls discussed some books recently purchased by the troop. Bird card packets were distributed to the Brownies. A bubble-gum relay race was played and snapshots were taken of the troop. Refreshments were served by Betsey Foss and Pam Rogan. Linda Bolster was elected president and Rose Black, treasurer.

There were 20 members present and leaders Mrs. John Chalmers, Mrs. Maynard Sawyer and Mrs. Farraugh Rogan.

.

BANGOR – The Larkin Street Parent-Teacher Association met at the school with Mrs. Eleanor Bearce presiding. A nominating committee was appointed to report a slate of officers for election at the next meeting. Earnest Wardwell heads the committee and is assisted by Mrs. Vaughn Furrow, Mrs. Hobart Hersey and Mrs. Leo Thibodeau.

A film, “Your Child and the Telephone,” was shown followed by a talk by Stewart McKinnon of the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company, who emphasized the importance of the child learning the proper use of the dial telephone, especially in case of an emergency.

A program was given by Brownie Troop 44 of the school, in which the following girls took part: Barbara Furrow, vocal solo, accompanied by her sister, Katherine, at the piano; Anna Ashford, tap dance; and Mary Carol Fernald and Mary Bamford, duet.

100 years ago – March 20, 1903

BANGOR – Mr. and Mrs. Lemuel Nichols observed the 55th anniversary of their marriage. They were married in East Corinth.

Mr. Nichols was born in Lisbon, Androscoggin County, in 1828. After following various occupations during his early manhood, he entered the livery stable business in 1849 at East Corinth. Later he bought the Parker House in that town, and in 1857 secured the contract for carrying the mails from Bangor to Moosehead Lake. He met with immediate success and soon after established stage routes to Bangor and other towns.

In 1846 he disposed of his business in East Corinth and went to Newport, where he purchased the Shaw House which he ran in connection with the conduct of several mail routes. A year or so later he came to Bangor and bought the livery business of O.M. Shaw in the old Billings stable on Main Street, and in February 1866 purchased the Dwinel House.

After a year in Bangor, he went to Dexter to engage in the hotel and stable business and after meeting with success there, returned to Bangor in 1871 and has lived here ever since.

Mrs. Nichols is the former Miss Martha Ann Edmunds, daughter of Elanson and Philena Edmunds.

.

OLD TOWN – About the best thing which has happened to Stillwater for a long time, and incidentally to the city of Old Town, was the transfer of property which means the revival of an industry which has been flat since the conflagration of two years ago.

Papers were passed transferring the property at Stillwater on the site of the burned Kimball and Adams steam mill from John Morrison, the controlling owner, to Charles Sutton, the well-known lumberman now operating a mill at Lincoln.

Mr. Sutton will in the early fall begin the erection of a saw mill, which on the start will be equipped with a gang and other machinery for turning out box boards and short lumber.

It is expected that the mill will employ about 30 to 50 men with the possibility of enlarging the plant later.

The announcement of the purchase has created great rejoicing in Stillwater, which has had about all the bad luck which has landed in this part of the country.

Compiled by Ardeana Hamlin