10 years ago – Dec. 11, 1993

(As reported in the Bangor Daily News)

BANGOR – After years of hibernation, downtown Bangor has started to stir.

The furor that erupted over the closing of the Third and Union Shop ‘n Save revived the longstanding complaint that downtown is dead.

There were, many said, plenty of other signs to support the case: Mr. Paperback and B.D’s, a thrift shop that served the area for 20 years, also have closed within the past few months, along with the pharmacy at the Main Street LaVerdiere’s. The renovated Bangor Opera House, once billed as the center of a downtown cultural renaissance, was leased to a church.

But if there’s evidence that major retailers continue their exodus to the Bangor Mall and its periphery, there are other signals that the recession has ended and downtown buildings are being filled with a new mix of tenants. Bangor’s Main Street is on the move. It’s not the same bustling shopping center it once was, but a different place where growing legions of downtown apartment dwellers browse in small specialty shops shoulder to shoulder with the office workers who have taken the place of store clerks of yesteryear.

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BANGOR – Five years ago, a woman gave birth to a premature baby while flying on a commercial airliner from Germany to St. Louis, Mo. The plane then landed in Bangor, where mother and infant were whisked to Eastern Maine Medical Center.

The baby weighed less than 2 pounds and required extended care at the hospital, compounding problems that beset his parents, who were in the U.S. military and were not married. His parents stayed at Bangor’s Ronald McDonald House and confided to house Manager Pat Beckwith that the father might be forced to return to Germany within hours while the baby fought for his life.

In 71/2 hours, Beckwith and her husband, Gerry Beckwith, arranged a wedding for the couple. If they were married, the baby’s plight would be considered a family medical emergency and the father could get an extended military leave.

The wedding was one of several high points in the history of Ronald McDonald House. It is symbolic of the caring that takes place daily at the facility, which will celebrate its 10th anniversary Dec. 16, said Marjie Harris, a member of the board of directors.

25 years ago – Dec. 11, 1978

ORONO – The unique octagonal-shaped Stock Judging Pavilion, built 70 years ago behind Winslow Hall at the University of Maine, will be converted into a theater-in-the-round. Authorization for the conversion, estimated to cost $50,000, came from the university’s board of trustees.

The building, recently accepted as one of 10 on the UM campus on the National Register of Historic Places, has been used for storage and the housing of sheep used in various agricultural research programs.

Because of its historic designation, the brick structure with a peak roof and cupola can have no exterior alterations. Funding for the theater-in-the-round interior conversion will come from university sources currently available.

When completed, the theater-in-the-round will include a 380-square-foot stage, three-quarters or completely surrounded by movable seating capable of accommodating between 100 and 200 persons. A backstage area will include performers’ washroom facilities, a dressing area and a stage lighting area. A lobby will include a washroom for patrons.

The amphitheater appearance of the renovated structure will be similar in many ways, according to UM theater spokesmen, to the Elizabethan playhouse in its reliance on architectural form as a technical device for presenting plays.

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BANGOR – Elimination of all parking meters in Bangor, establishment of $1 and $2 parking tickets, and new 20-minute parking zones and permit parking zones will highlight the City Council meeting.

After taking up the elimination of parking meters, the council will consider establishment of permit lots in Abbott Square, the Atler lot’s upper section, the Columbia Street lot, the Exchange Street lot by Depositor’s Trust, the Columbia Street parking deck’s lower level, Kenduskeag Plaza on the south pedestrian bridge, Haymarket Square, Exchange Street east and Exchange Street west.

Twenty-minute zones will be established (thereby eliminating 15-minute zones) on Merchants Plaza and Westmarket Square, Columbia Street, State Street, Center Street and Park Street. The parking tickets will in turn be boosted from 50 cents to $1. The waiver fee will increase to $2 after the first 14 days.

50 years ago – Dec. 11, 1953

BANGOR – The Homemakers Extension Group held its planning meeting and Christmas party at the West Bangor Methodist Church. A roast turkey dinner was served under the supervision of Mrs. Kate Robinson, Mrs. Ruby Burke, Mrs. Grace Tracey and Mrs. Golda Libby.

Mrs. Kate Robinson presided at the business session during which the program for the year was planned as follows: “Color Harmony in the Home,” “Fashion Tricks,” “Manmade Fibers,” “Vegetable Fashions,” “Housework and Posture,” “Packed Lunches,” “Picture Framing,” “Better Breakfasts” and “Decorative Stitchery.”

The project for the year adopted by the group is to assist the West Bangor Church. Mrs. Kate Robinson was named committee chairwoman.

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BANGOR – The Norman N. Dow Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars, met at the post home to make plans for their Christmas program. In addition to the annual party for youngsters, the members will “adopt” two or three needy families for the holiday and supply them with food, clothing and toys.

This latter project is in the charge of the relief committee, and the committee in charge of the party includes Frank Wyman, Nelson Mallett, Elmer Mitchell, John Nichols and Eben Stickney.

One new member, Bruce D. Griffin, a veteran of the Korean War, was admitted to the organization. A New Year’s party and a stag night were planned.

Harriett Estabrook, president of the auxiliary, and several other members, served coffee after the meeting.

100 years ago – Dec. 11, 1903

BANGOR – Daniel W. Nason, the well-known Bangor lawyer and former city solicitor, announced his candidacy for the office of county attorney, being assured, it is said, of the support of many prominent Republicans.

Mr. Nason began the practice of his profession in this city in 1896. He was a member of the City Council during the municipal year of 1895-1896, and in 1898 was chosen city solicitor, an office he held until 1902. In all of his legal engagements,

Mr. Nason has displayed marked ability, and he has many friends in Bangor and eastern Maine, all of whom will wish him success in the contest which he has undertaken.

BANGOR – The first day of a two-day sale and fair in the vestries of the Universalist Church was crowned with success for the ladies who had charge of the various booths, and for the gentlemen who served the chicken pie supper. All the afternoon and evening the vestries were filled with a bright throng, both old and young, and it is safe to say that the old folks enjoyed it as much as the younger members of the congregation.

The Peddler’s Parade given in the evening by the young people was a decided hit and furnished a great deal of amusement for those present. More than a dozen young people were made up to represent vendors of various small wares and each peddler came to the front of the stage and announced in a bright little speech the contents of his or her pack.

Many of the speeches were very bright and elicited much applause from the audience. After all had made their speeches, the peddlers passed through the audience and disposed of a large part of their wares.

In the evening a show will be presented by about 30 young people. These young people have been rehearsing the show for some time and as there is some exceptionally good talent in their number, the show should be a great success. Among the artists who will take part are Dr. Fred E. Maxfield, Leroy Shaw, Harry Lincoln and Edward Colomy, all of whom have appeared in this part before and have considerable talent. Solos will be tendered by Miss Aline Glass, Miss Faustina Curtis, Miss Helena Granville, Miss Marion Palmer and Mr. Martin Fitzgerald. Harold White will render a banjo solo.

Everybody ought to hear Miss Marion Palmer sing “Pretty Little Dinah Jones,” hear Rudolph Ringwall’s “Baffin Bay” song, Leroy Shaw in his topical song, and Fred Maxfield in “Chicken.” With such noted artists as Madam Rosalinde, Sofia Douglass, Miss Amanda Lucinda Johnson, Walkington K. DeBush and the great French prima donna Madam Martina Chardenal on the program, the success of the show is assured.

Compiled by Ardeana Hamlin