Yesterday …

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(As reported in the Bangor Daily News)

10 years ago – May 15, 1993

BANGOR – The Hiking Committee, an informal group of local hiking and bicycling enthusiasts, is starting to build a new nature trail in Bangor for walking, hiking, bicycle riding and other activities.

The trail will extend from Bangor’s Cascade Park to the Sylvan Road, is slightly more than a mile away. Completion would put into place the first part of a long-term plan to build an extended system of hiking, bicycling and possible horseback riding passageways to link the Bangor-Orono-Old Town area.

“The committee includes nature enthusiasts and everyone interested in contributing something to the community,” said Greg Miller, an organizer for the trail project.

“A lot of people feel if we don’t protect the quality of life in our community, things will slip away. While there are still available green ways and areas to develop, we want to protect them for future generations,” Miller said.

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BANGOR – Beal College in Bangor awarded 131 associate of science degrees and 25 certificates and diplomas during its 101st commencement.

Named valedictorian of the class of 1993 was Lynn M. VanLeer of Bangor, a data processing major. Salutatorian was Lori A. Bower, also of Bangor, a legal secretarial science paralegal major.

President Allen T. Stehle gave the commencement address and presented the degrees and diplomas.

25 years ago – May 15, 1978

HAMPDEN – It seemed like a good idea for the United States’ Bicentennial, thought Marilyn Fogg, and she was right.

The little knit design she completed and entered in the Bangor State Fair that year took first prize. It also tantalized the sales sense of a family friend who felt that shown to the “right people,” it could be a very saleable item. So she took it to New York City for Miss Fogg and she was right too.

Miss Fogg’s red, white and blue sneaker-booties for a baby were featured in Family Circle’s July issue. The magazine, which has an estimated circulation of 7 million, used the booties in a picture feature of things to make, “Christmas in July.”

The pattern did so well, selling more than 4,500 orders, that a yarn company bought it. Kits by the Bucilla Yarn Co. contain the yarn and directions. They are distributed through national chain stores.

Miss Fogg, who has been disabled since birth, worked out the first pair by herself, working daily for a month. She finds it difficult to manipulate her fingers for intricate stitches, like a cable stitch, so she creates variety and spontaneity through the designs made by the colors.

“I enjoy working on little things for babies and small children,” explained the 43-year-old woman, “And I like sneakers anyway for little kids.”

Her mother, Mrs. Percy Fogg, added that it was probably Miss Fogg’s nephew who provided the inspiration. “She probably used little Rod’s sneakers as a model.”

The “sneakers” are red with white lacing, a blue racing stripe, white-rimmed sole and a dark yellow under sole. The red-and-blue-ringed white socks appear to grow out of the sneakers, but they are actually part of the construction.

Miss Fogg added a little white felt star on the sneaker toe for an extra dazzle.

But the success of the booties meant a new job for her mother. To show the design properly, actual booties were needed. Mrs. Fogg was pressed into service and she turned out 50 salesmen’s demonstrator models as fast as she could. Miss Fogg eventually did four more herself, which she donated to her church for its annual Christmas fair.

Miss Fogg thought she started knitting when she was about 14 years old “on something simple like a scarf … something that I could go back and forth on.” Her mother remembers her daughter at the age of seven experimenting with big needles. Knitting is one of her favorite pastimes along with solving crossword puzzles, she said.

She’s currently working on an entry for this year’s fair, a chocolate brown sweater edged with bright colored stripes. She has won prizes in the able-bodied as well as the handicapped categories.

And her next original? “I haven’t thought of anything new yet,” she said, “but I’m working on it.”

50 years ago – May 15, 1953

HAMPDEN – The Highlanders group of the W.S.C.S of the Hampden Methodist Church is sponsoring a recital of the dance pupils of Mary and Margaret Rice in the town hall. Proceeds from the two performances will go the general fund of the church.

The program will be divided into two parts: “The Wizard of Oz” and scenes and themes from “Showboat.”

Numbers for the first part will include: “Awakening After the Cyclone,” Pamela Cheney; The Good Witch of the South,” Wilma Marsh; “Ding, Dong, the Witch Is Dead,” Witch and Munchkins; Munchkin dance, Sharon Clifford, Elaine Faulkner and Brooke Ryan; “If I Only Had a Brain,” Jane Dickey; “If I Only Had the Nerve,” Sara Dunbar; “Deadly Poppies,” Linda Patterson and Martha MacCrae.

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BANGOR – Three Bangor men who drive for the Bangor Ice cream branch of H.P. Hood and Sons were among some 60 drivers honored for the contribution they have made to promote safety on the highways. Each was awarded a special “star driver” citation at a dinner given at the Lafayette Hotel in Portland. The Bangor award winners are William Work, Vincent MacDonald and Orion Whitmore.

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ORONO – The Associated Press will hold a seminar at the University of Maine. Among those attending will be L.P. Yale, New England bureau chief for the Associated Press, a delegation of AP officials and telegraph and news editors from Maine’s daily newspapers. The program will include talks by two students, Douglas Kneeland and David Getchell, both of Orono. They will speak on “Why I Want to be a Newspaperman.”

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VEAZIE – Lt. Frank J. Mack Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank J. Mack Sr., of Veazie, has been assigned to the armored artillery at Camp Chaffee, Fort Smith, Ark. Mack is a graduate of Bangor High School, Oliver Military Academy and attended the University of Maine for two years.

100 years ago – May 15, 1903

BANGOR – The Bradley Land and Lumber Company had been organized at Bangor for the purpose of conducting a general manufacturing and merchandise business, with $150,000 capital stock, of which nothing is paid in. The officers are president and treasurer Henry R. Bradley of Tomahawk, Wisc.

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EAST CORINTH – A railroad ball will be given at McGregor’s Hotel. A special train will leave West Market Square in Bangor at 7:30 p.m., on which Fairbanks’ brass band of 25 pieces will discourse music. A second special will leave the square at 7:31 p.m. with the Boston German band in attendance.

Specials will arrive at East Corinth at 8:30 p.m. Landlord Richards of Hotel McGregor will furnish supper at 25 cents a plate. Tickets will be $1, which includes dancing and transportation. Ladies accompanied by gentlemen will be 50 cents. The hall will be handsomely decorated. Abner Morrison will be floor director. The manager is F.A. Hunt.

Compiled by Ardeana Hamlin