10 years ago – July 24, 1993

(As reported in the Bangor Daily News)

BANGOR – Those who remember the Kelly program for chemical dependence won’t recognize Phillips-Oliver 3. Neither will the previous occupants, those who had their babies in Eastern Maine Medical Center’s old labor and delivery rooms.

But the people who are admitted to the Bangor hospital’s Patient Focused Care Unit will recall it as something quite unique in hospital stays.

From facilities to staff, everything about the 18-bed medical unit for adults is designed to make the patient stay more comfortable and less sterile and disturbing.

The physical changes in this part of the hospital are easy to see – the muted colors, the warmer lighting, even walls that are textured rather than covered with hospital-sanitary paint. Artwork adorns both the hallways and patient rooms.

All by themselves, the patient tray-tables are an innovation worth some sort of world prize in health care. Convenient storage bins on one end of each table mean that no more will the patient have to move personal items aside three times a day when his meal tray arrives.

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BANGOR – Wilfred Hessert, commander of the 101st Air Refueling Wing was promoted to brigadier general during ceremonies at which Maj. Gen. Nelson Durgin pinned insignia on Hessert.

Hessert is a Bangor native and a 1960 graduate of John Bapst Memorial High School. He received a bachelor of science degree in accounting from Husson College in 1969, and a master’s degree in business administration from Auburn University, Alabama, in 1974. His military education includes Air Command and Staff College in 1974 and Air War College in 1982, where he was a distinguished graduate.

25 years ago – July 24, 1978

BANGOR – Police, local public works crews, workmen from the telephone company and from the power company were deluged with calls as a result of the violent rain and wind storm which downed trees and utility lines, flattened gardens, flooded basements and tore up pavement.

The storm struck with sudden fury, but quickly passed over, leaving streets littered with branches and limbs or blocked by sparking wires and splintered tree trunks.

Power was out in many homes in Orono, Bangor and West Hampden because of downed power lines. Lines also were reported down in Hermon, Levant and Carmel.

A Hampden public safety official reported that many people in the area west of Route 202 to Fowler’s Landing were “very upset” about lack of power.

Mrs. Florence McEachern of Brewer returned to her home after the storm to find a huge tree, uprooted by the wind, lying on top of the back portion of her house and her car. She said the damage to the house seemed light and the car was only slightly scratched.

50 years ago – July 24, 1953

BANGOR – The main electrical transmittal cable at the Vine Street School was destroyed by lightning. A utility pole also was struck, but not demolished. Total damages were estimated at about $2,000, said Roland J. Carpenter, superintendent of schools.

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The Rev. John Miller, minister of the Second Congregational Church of South Brewer, has just been commissioned a captain in the Maine National Guard and will serve as chaplain for the Headquarters 314th AAA-AW Battalion. Francis J. Cawley of Bangor, a civil service employee at the Bangor Army recruiting office, has been commissioned a 2nd lieutenant in the Maine National Guard.

Captain Miller, a native of West Wyoming, Pa., graduated from Colby College and Bangor Theological Seminary. He has been in Maine for 14 years, serving the Newport and Carmel churches for 10 years. He has held his present pastorate since 1951. He is president of the Bangor-Brewer Ministerial Association.

Lt. Cawley graduated from John Bapst High School and attended the University of Maine and graduated from Husson College. He served with the Air Force in WW II and saw active duty in the European theater of operations. He has been assigned to the Headquarters Battery 314th AAA-AW Battalion as assistant S3 and will be in charge of operations and training. He has been a member of the National Guard since 1952.

100 years ago – July 24, 1903

BANGOR – R.W. Burrill, the Bangor horseman, has received from the owner, John Weed Jr. of Monticello, the pacing stallion, Ambulator, 2.09 1-2, which he will handle in the coming racing season. Ambulator is a bay stallion, 10 years old, standing 16 hands high and weighing 1,050 pounds. He is by Ambulance, dam Ragella by Strathmore, also dam of Amby, 2.16 as a two-year-old, and was bred at the Belle Mead stock farm, New Jersey.

Ambulator started in 65 races last year and won money in 55 of them. He got his record in the fifth heat of a winning race at Old Orchard in August, 1901. Mr. Burrill will start him in the free-for-all class at the Western Maine State Fair and at Exeter, and it is safe to say that the best company he meets will have to move lively if they expect to figure in the best end of the purses.

BANGOR – A spectacular runaway occurred in Main Street shortly after 3 o’clock in the afternoon, during which the driver of a team was thrown beneath the hoofs of his horses in front of the Opera House. Later, in front of Clark’s millinery store, a woman who was in the buggy leaped to the ground in safety although the carriage was being banged about unmercifully over the east side of Main Street where the pavements are up. Nobody was hurt.

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BANGOR – It has been many years now since “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” has been seen under canvas in this city; and for this, if for no other reason, it is likely that McPhee’s big company of 60 people will be greeted by a large audience when it plays next Saturday night on the vacant lot before Maplewood Park. A cast of 30 people, a pack of real bloodhounds, a carload of scenery and a dazzling scenic production are promised.

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BANGOR – At a meeting of the Pine Cone Council, No. 114, Knights of Columbus, a vote was passed endorsing the following message, which was transmitted through the apostolic delegate at Washington to the Vatican palace in Rome:

“Cardinal Rampolla, Vatican Palace, Rome, Italy:

“The Knights of Columbus of the United States and Canada tender their heartfelt sympathy for the severe loss the Catholic Church had sustained in the death of the great pontiff, Leo XIII.

(Signed) Edward L. Hearn, Supreme Knight.”

Compiled by Ardeana Hamlin