10 years ago – Oct. 23, 1993

(As reported in the Bangor Daily News)

BANGOR – Bangor councilors could decide soon the fate of the old Viner Shoe building.

The dilapidated building near the Bangor waterfront has been vacant for years, and recent efforts by the city at attracting proposals for the building have drawn little interest.

But after an Oct. 6 deadline for the latest request for proposals had passed, at least two potential developers expressed interest, and possible plans for the building are likely to be an executive session agenda item at the next council meeting.

25 years ago – Oct. 23, 1978

BANGOR – The Bangor Gallery of Fine Art in the Sunbury Mall will host an invitational exhibit by Leonard H. Dermott of Bar Harbor.

His work has been exhibited in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and has appeared widely in publications throughout the United States, including U.S. and World Report and the New York Times. Some of his work was shown recently on CBS’ “60 Minutes.”

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HAMPDEN – The Manning Mill Bridge in Hampden has been closed to all traffic except passenger vehicles by the Town Council because the underpinning broke late last week while trucks hauling fill were traveling over it.

R. Lewis Bone, town manager, said that an emergency meeting of the Town Council was called concerning the bridge. He estimated that repairs, which include replacing steel beams and the decking, would keep the bridge closed for several weeks.

The repairs now being carried out will be paid for with town funds, Bone said. He doesn’t know the cost, but said there wouldn’t be any problem paying for the repairs.

50 years ago – Oct. 23, 1953

BANGOR – “No cost is too great to promote the freedom and liberty we enjoy today. We are one people, speaking the same language and of the same blood,” Lt. Gov. D.F. MacLaren of the Province of New Brunswick declared at the International Kiwanis meeting at the Lucerne Inn.

“I would like to see some of the billions of dollars, which are going into defense against possible foreign attack, diverted into the many peaceful channels that require financial assistance. May our two flags wave in our God-given liberty,” he said.

More than 150 Kiwanians from Maine and New Brunswick joined hand in fellowship and good will at their annual meeting where Gov. Burton M. Cross of Maine and Lt. Gov. MacLaren exchanged greetings and told about the resources of the two countries. MacLaren, referring to communism, said that Christians believe that communism will not succeed in a Christian world.

50 years ago – Oct. 23, 1953

BREWER – Patrolman Robert E. Grant was named chief of the Brewer Police Department, and Patrolman Ralph W. Willoughby was promoted to assistant chief, both appointments on a probationary basis.

According to City Manager Ronald E. Stewart, neither Grant nor Willoughby will be confirmed until the end of a six-months probation period.

Grant, 58, has been a patrolman in the Brewer department for 17 years, while Willoughby, 28, has been a patrolman for five years.

City Manager Stewart said that he has not discussed salary for the new chief with either Grant or the City Council. Up to the present, the chief’s job has paid $3,200.

Stewart said Willoughby’s promotion will not mean a boost in salary. Brewer patrolmen now receive $1.05 per hour, which averages about $66 a week.

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BANGOR – Gray Ladies who serve at the Bangor City Hospital spent Wednesday at the Bangor State Hospital where they studied occupational therapy work being done by the patients there.

As guests of Mrs. Harold Wood, head of occupational therapy, the Gray Ladies and Mrs. Thelma Wellman, head nurse, visited OT classes and patients who were doing similar work in the wards.

A buffet luncheon was served, after which Mrs. Wood led a discussion on occupational therapy and displaying articles made by the patients. The group was invited to visit the hospital as an aid to them in carrying out occupational therapy at the Bangor City Hospital.

Among the Gray Ladies making the visit were Mrs. Herbert Wedgewood, Mrs. Ora Blethen, Mrs. Mary Scanlin, Mrs. John Eckhart, Mrs. Madeline Lynell, Mrs. Marjorie Epstein and Mrs. C.L. Fox.

100 years ago – Oct. 23, 1903

BREWER – A new street was born, Alderman Burr acting as godfather, and it was christened Highland Street.

This street came from a petition of F.H. Nickerson and 37 others for the extension of Wilson Street to State Street, near the junction with Parker Street.

The committee reported the laying out of the street, without any objection to such from anyone and the council passed a vote of acceptance. An order was passed authorizing the street commissioner to make a start on improvements, but not to spend more than $25.

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BANGOR – Mad with sudden fright, with a broken rein dangling against the shafts and with an almost helpless driver clinging to the swaying seat above, three powerful horses attached to Hook and Ladder No. 2 dashed at furious speed down Broadway, demolishing the Broadway hydrant. Thousands of gallons of water gushed from the broken hydrant, flowing in a steady stream down Broadway and State Street and flooding for the space of 20 minutes, the lower business section of the city.

The three horses, in charge of driver Charles Johnson, were being exercised and trotting at a moderate pace down Broadway when the left rein suddenly parted. In a moment one of the animals, a splendid bay, perked up his ears. The others followed suit. And then much sooner than the bewildered driver could stoop to gather up the broken rein, the three horses started upon a race, which had it continued down State Street and terminated in East Market Square, would have furnished an excellent story for the reporters in the morning.

Compiled by Ardeana Hamlin