Yesterday …

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10 years ago – Jan. 22, 1994

(As reported in the Bangor Daily News)

BANGOR – If you want to park on Merrimac Street, beware. It may cost you.

Administrative Lt. Donald Winslow of the Bangor Police Department said he was temporarily banning parking on the one-way street until the Bangor Department of Public Works could remove the snow.

The emergency ban was the result of concerns expressed by Thomas Hughes, a resident of Merrimac Street, during a neighborhood meeting at the Garland Street School.

Hughes said that emergency vehicles cannot get through and the city has refused to plow when cars are parked on the street in the winter.

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BANGOR – Few people are clamoring for warmer temperatures more than public works officials, who faced a double whammy this week with the cold snap that followed the storm. Not only did state and municipal officials face the wrath of an irate public, they also had to cope with their own frustration at being able to do very little to improve matters.

The roads around Bangor turned to frozen tundra. In some places, ice ridges turned roads to washboards; in others, glare ice turned them to luge runs. Motorists complained bitterly about driving conditions.

“There’ve been a lot of calls,” said Everett Hart, Bangor’s assistant director of public works. “I know people are upset.”

When the temperature plummeted, the slush froze solid, forming a nearly impenetrable bond with the roadway. Crews at the Maine Department of Transportation have worked long hours to make little headway.

Guy Baker, DOT division engineer based in Bangor, was doing his payroll for the week. He rattled off the hours the plow crews worked – 72, 82, 86, 79, 78.

25 years ago – Jan. 22, 1979

BANGOR – While the Bangor Area Junior Chamber of Commerce gears up for the Paul Bunyan Open snowmobile derby this weekend, Jaycees also are celebrating National Jaycee Week, and planning for the future.

The area chapter is trying to get the word out about what the Jaycee organization is, both to the community and to its individual members.

“We’re an organization for men between the ages of 18 and 35,” said Robert Gilberti. The organization, he said, promotes individual development through community projects.

What that means is that youthful members are often given an opportunity to plan and develop their own projects, thus providing them with valuable management experience.

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HAMPDEN – Five bids were received on a 1-mile paving project planned by the state Department of Transportation on Route 1A at the Hampden-Winterport line. H.E. Sargent Inc.’s bid of $534,835.75 was the bid selected by the state.

50 years ago – Jan. 22, 1954

BANGOR – “The job of finding out why the health of certain persons in the community isn’t good is the job of the health department.

“A doctor’s time is limited. He can’t be expected to visit homes and factories to find out the sources of these sicknesses but that is the job of the city health department,” William J. Carney, new appointed health officer for Bangor told the Kiwanis Club at the organization’s regular meeting at the Bangor House.

Explaining the work of the department and public health in general, Mr. Carney said the work is directed at five objectives. These are supervision and control of sanitation, prevention of communicable diseases, public health education, health promotion and disease prevention.

He explained that the job means the city environment must be controlled, the food supply supervised, that health factors are considered in city planning and housing and that steps are taken to prevent accidents in industry and other areas.

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BANGOR – “Orthodox, Conservative, Reform – Where are They Alike, Where Do They Differ?” was the theme of an interesting and informative talk by Rabbi Herman Pollack of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology at the Hebrew Community Center.

Speaking before more than 150 at the joint meeting of Pine Tree Lodge of B’nai B’rith and Pine Tree Chapter of B’nai B’rith Women, Rabbi Pollack gave a profound address dealing with Judaism in its various aspects.

Maxwell Rapaport conducted the meeting at which Maine Hillel Night was observed.

The Hillel choir and dance group from the University of Maine presented a skit titled “Ground to Stand On,” dealing with the problems of minority groups, and also presented a program of music and dancing.

Following the meeting refreshments were served by the B’nai B’rith Women.

100 years ago – Jan. 22, 1904

BANGOR – An ecclesiastical council was held at Hammond Street Congregational Church to take action upon the resignation of the Rev. Henry L. Griffin, who has been pastor of the church for the unusually long period of 22 years. The Rev. John S. Penman of the Central church was chosen to preside and the Rev. George H. Hall of Hampden as Scribe.

At the opening of the meeting, Professor F.B. Denbo, upon behalf of the church, read the resolutions adopted on Dec. 17 and printed in full in the Bangor Daily News at the time. Those resolutions release the Rev. Mr. Griffin from his pastorate, at the same time expressing the most sincere regret at his departure and a deep appreciation of the good which he has rendered during his long period of active service.

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BANGOR – There will be two races on the ice track on the river opposite the city this afternoon, one of them a free-for-all and the second a slow race. A prize of 20 bushels of oats is offered in one of these races, and it is likely that some fast sport will be seen. The track is in fine condition for fast racing.

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BANGOR – The repairs to the heating apparatus at the Opera House have been completed, the Fenburg Stock Company will resume their engagement, presenting “On the Stroke of Twelve” at the matinee and “Beware of Men” in the evening. The engagement will close on Saturday with “The Young Heiress” and “Tracey, the Bandit.”

Compiled by Ardeana Hamlin