(As reported in the Bangor Daily News)

10 years ago – April 24, 1993

BANGOR – The city of Bangor plans to spend $3,600 to clear and reforest some land next to the Essex Street Recreation Lodge.

The little-used park will serve as one end of a trail the city hopes to develop along the bed of the old Veazie railroad.

More than 20 years ago, the city developed the park as a winter recreation area, but it has fallen into disuse. “The wooded area adjacent to the development was left in its original condition, which is rather unsightly,” City Manager Edward A. Barrett said in a memorandum to councilors.

The city intends to cut and yard about 450 tons of scrub tree and sell it for biomass purposes for about $3,600. With one half of the amount received, the city would pay a contract forester and the cost associated with the cutting. With the other half, the city would pay for improvements and reforestration.

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BANGOR – Helen Kelly, 73, and Ken Carnahan, 79, were the first to arrive at their regular table at the Bangor House site for Meals for Me. Kelly, from Brewer, and Carnahan, from Bangor, chatted about a local Megabucks winner, the weather and other topics as they waited for a meal of baked fish, scalloped tomatoes, mashed potatoes, cookies and a beverage.

Kelly and Carnahan were among about 50 people who dined at the Bangor site of Meals for Me, an organization that serves nutritious meals to elderly and disabled citizens.

Financial cutbacks and long waiting lists this spring had produced many problems for the national meals programs.

In its 21st year, Meals for Me is functioning quite well on a stable budget of $800,000, according to Gail Ward, Meals for Me area director.

Heavy rain pounded the Bangor House windows, but the atmospheric gloom failed to penetrate the walls. Inside, bright spring flowers decorated each table in the dining room.

25 years ago – April 24, 1978

BANGOR – Arthur Fieldler is as much a landmark in this country as the Statue of Liberty or the Empire State building. And, to say the truth, the way in which he popularized music has had an incalculable effect on the listening habits of Americans. That area people scrambled into the stratosphere of the Bangor Auditorium testified amply to the magnetic personality of the man Fieldler.

In truth, he is no stranger to Maine, having played here at least twice before and having appeared in both Augusta and Portland.

That Fieldler forbids his material to go stale is evinced by the “Star Wars” piece and by the excellent selection of songs from “The Man of La Mancha,” concluding with “The Impossible Dream,” a tune that has attained almost classical stature.

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ORONO – The University of Maine will holds its traditional Maine Day with service projects, entertainment, contests and no classes to mark a day of activities designed to benefit the campus and various charities.

President Arthur A. Hauck, who wanted to set aside a day in the spring to beautify the campus and bring students and faculty together, established Maine Day in 1935.

In that light, Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity is planning many activities with an eye toward student involvement.

“Service is pretty important because the spirit of Maine Day is improving on campus,” said APO spokesman Larry Hueras.

There will be concerts and a road rally sponsored by the UMO Motor Club. C & W Moe Company will play at Hilltop Complex and a German band will perform at Stodder Complex.

Service projects include picnic tables and a barbecue pit to be built at the Hilltop Complex concert field. And tables also will be built for a picnic area along the shore of the Stillwater River.

Students can select the Ugly Man of their choice from six highly qualified entrants. According to Larry Hueras, the Ugly Man contest is a spoof on Homecoming Queen contests. Students vote by putting 25 cents down on their favorite Ugly Man with proceeds going to the Maine Special Olympics.

50 years ago – April 24, 1953

BANGOR – The Bangor City Council committee on finance awarded to Owen Estey, Kittredge Road, a three-year contract for the municipal garbage collection.

Estey was low bidder at $14,352 per year. Hollis E. Higgins, outer Broadway, who had had the contract for the past six years, bid $18,000 a year.

City Manager Julian Orr and Dr. Harry McNeil, city health officer, said they had talked to Estey and he had assured them that he could meet requirements as to truck types, a bond, insurance, facilities for “cooking” garbage, etc.

Dr. McNeil added, however, that Higgins had been “a good contractor” and he personally would like to see him continue the collection.

The committee, however, said it could not overlook the “spread” in the bids and awarded the contract to Estey.

100 years ago – April 24, 1903

BANGOR – Bangor people flocked to the suburban resorts this week, the exodus reminding one of summer, and from all accounts, they had a good time. Some went to fish, some to visit their cottages and others simply for a rest and day’s change of scene. They may not have fasted, except those who tried to live upon what fish they caught, but the time was well spent, and for all who got away from town on Fast Day served a good vacation purpose.

Ten members of the Melita Club were guests of W.P. Dickey at the Strickland Cottage, Pushaw, where they spent a pleasant day, socially and sailing around the lake.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles P. Webber, Mr. and Mrs. Milton S. Clifford and Fred H. Clifford were at the Webber cottage, Pushaw, while at the Pearson cottage were Mr. and Mrs. Charles Pearson and the Messrs. Dillingham.

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OLD TOWN – Old Town has long been noted for its canvas-covered canoes. They have been built there for many years, and their proper construction has been given much thought and experiment. That good work can be done here in this line is evidenced by the recent shipment to New York of two canoes built by the Old Town Canoe Co. for the Zeigler polar expedition, which will sail for Norway in a short time.

These canoes are on new and original plans – they being built of the ordinary light cedar lumber, canvas-covered – yet each having five separate water tight sections. The canoes may be taken apart and the sections loaded on sledges for the march, and parts assembled and bolted together easily and quickly when open water is reached.

These canoes are made in sections to facilitate handling and to lighten the loads for the sledges. Part of the sledges will be drawn by trained dogs, of which 250 will be taken, and others by small ponies. Of the latter 15 have been brought from Siberia.

The canoes will be used in the final dash for the pole. Even the ponies will be ferried over the open water in these light canoes, their legs being tied together and they will be placed on a deck constructed from the sledges fastened on top of the two canoes, which are first lashed together side by side.

While all America is patriotically interested in this attempt to reach the unknown and much sought for spot, citizens of the little country city of Old Town are hoping that two Maine canvas-covered canoes will do their important part toward planting the Stars and Stripes at the North Pole.

Compiler’s note: The 39-member team of Zeigler’s expedition failed in the attempt to reach the North Pole in 1903. Industrialist William Zeigler, president of the Royal Baking Powder Company, provided financial backing for the expedition.

Compiled by Ardeana Hamlin

MILFORD – Twenty-two members attended the meeting of the Men’s Fellowship Club at the Congregational Church.

Guest speaker was Walter Wentworth of Old Town who discussed his recent trip to California.

Charles Miller, club president, conducted the business meeting and members voted to donate $25 to the organ fund.

Plans were made to finance and make flower beds on the church lawn, and to sponsor a food sale at Gray’s Hardware store in Old Town. Members’ wives on the committee will be Mrs. Lawrence Ricker, Mrs. Fred Morrison, Mrs. Charles Miller and Mrs. Freeman Cunningham.

For the final meeting before the summer vacation, a ladies’ night will be held and the refreshment committee will be Parker Black Sr., George Stevens, Frank Morrison, Stanley Bowden and Edward Rugan.