(As reported in the Bangor Daily News)

10 years ago – June 5, 1993

BANGOR – Eighteen Bangor High School seniors watched a bill they’d originated be signed into law, with the satisfaction of knowing they’d done something to help visually impaired voters.

Developed in a senior seminar on government economics taught by James Smith and John Purton, the bill requires municipal clerks to set aside at least one voting booth for the visually impaired. The booth will have a specimen ballot in large print, a magnifying device and adjustable lighting. In addition, clerks may produce large-print ballots on copy machines.

Gov. John McKernan, a Bangor High School graduate himself, praised the students’ efforts as he welcomed them into his office along with members of the Bangor legislative delegation and Secretary of State G. William Diamond.

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BREWER – Les Stevens, who has promoted Bangor for more than two years as director of Bangor 2000, will move across the river to become Brewer’s economic director.

Hired in February 1991, Stevens had run a program that serves as Bangor’s de facto convention bureau. During his tenure, he helped Bangor land the 1992 Democratic state convention, the trans-Atlantic balloon race and an upcoming convention for outdoor writers from across the country next summer. He also worked behind the scenes on the Bangor Garden Show and a couple of fights featuring Joey Gamache.

25 years ago – June 5, 1978

GLENBURN – Girl Scout Troop 273 held a bikeathon and 24 girls participated in an effort to raise money to help start a community library.

All but three of the girls were able to finish the 12-mile course, resulting in $613.27 being raised for the fund.

The town hopes to offer an educational program for school children through the library when it is established. A building is available, but it will have to be moved.

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BANGOR – Dr. Frederick Whittaker of Bangor Theological Seminary was honored at a testimonial dinner at the Red Lion in Bangor on the occasion of his retirement after 26 years as president of the seminary.

Some 200 guests attended the dinner, including trustees, faculty, staff, students, alumni, dignitaries representing higher education in Maine and the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada, the United Church of Christ and other denominations, people from the civic and business community, family and friends of Whittaker. Senior faculty member Burton H. Throckmorton, professor of the New Testament, was master of ceremonies.

50 years ago – June 5, 1953

An exhibit of hooked rugs was held at Hammond Street Congregational Church to benefit the United Workers of the church. Tea was served in the afternoon. The exhibit consists of more than 50 beautiful and hand-hooked rugs made by the pupils of Mrs. Irving Clark of Orrington using the famous Pearl McGown method.

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INDIAN ISLAND – A class of 10 received Confirmation at St. Ann’s Catholic Church on the Penobscot Indian Reservation. The sacrament was administered by the Most Rev. Daniel J. Feeney, coadjutor Bishop of Portland.

Confirmed were Irene Attean, Carol Down, Thelma Down, Elizabeth Jane Gould, Mary Ketcham, Donna Phillips, Mary Sappier, Teresa Sappier, Nelson Francis and Edward Thomas Stewart.

Visiting clergymen with Bishop Feeney remained as dinner guests of the pastor, the Rev. Antonio Blais at St. Ann’s Rectory. They were the Rev. Armand Chabot of Skowhegan, The Rev. Wilfred Ouellette and the Rev. Norman Carrier of Old Town and the Rev. Vincent Tatarczuk of Portland, assistant secretary of Bishop Feeney.

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100 years ago – June 5, 1903

BANGOR – While Dr. Briggs was driving down Hammond Street hill Thursday noon in a covered buggy, he lost control of his horse to such an extent that it was in half-gallop going past City Hall. The doctor endeavored to curb him under as he approached Pol’s Crossing, but the task was a hard one.

At this juncture a trolley car shot out from the West Market Square switch, bound to Garland Street, traveling at a rate that was altogether too high for a crowded portion of the city. No gong was ringing and the doctor couldn’t see the danger until he was in the midst of it.

Persons who were looking on expected to see horse, carriage, car and doctor all smashed up in a heap. But luckily this didn’t happen, as the horse of his own accord turned sharply to the right, the carriage lurching against the side of the car. No attempt was made to stop the trolley.

Compiled by Ardeana Hamlin