Yesterday …

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10 years ago – March 25, 1994

(As reported in the Bangor Daily News)

INDIAN ISLAND – The Penobscot Indians have voted not to get into casino gambling, despite legislation that would authorize them to develop a casino like the one planned in Calais by Maine’s other major tribe.

Penobscot members opposed casino gambling by a vote of 35-26 at a meeting on the Indian Island reservation, where critics warned that such a facility would cause social problems and hinder efforts to preserve the Penobscots’ culture.

Several voting members of the Penobscot Tribal Council explained why they voted the way they did. Tribal Councilor Mark Mitchell said there were two questions, one on whether the tribe favored a casino and the other on the proposed legislation.

Mitchell said he voted in favor of the casino, but was opposed to the state legislation because it would lock the tribe into options in Aroostook County only.

“Moose and deer do not gamble, and the population in the County would not support a casino,” he said. He said he would like the option of another location, one not near Indian Island.

Frances Mitchell said he opposed the casino because so far the tribe has a history of making money for the people higher up. Someone else, he said, not tribal members, would benefit from the casino. “It was not a good deal for us,” he said.

25 years ago – March 25, 1979

DEDHAM – Natalie Daniels, daughter of Mrs. Phyllis Daniels and granddaughter of Christine Blackmer, both of Dedham, will compete in the Maine Miss National Teenager Pageant.

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BANGOR – Mrs. Leon F. Higgins II, president of the Bangor Children’s Home board of directors, welcomed Paul W. Newman to the board at a director’s meeting.

Newman is the third generation of his family to serve as a director. He is filling a slot left vacant at the recent resignation of his father, Frederick Newman. His grandmother, Gertrude, also served on the board. The Bangor Children’s Home operates Hilltop Day Care Center and Kindergarten.

50 years ago – March 25, 1954

BANGOR – Supreme Court Justice Raymond Fellows of Bangor, 68, soon will step up to Maine’s highest judicial position as Chief Justice at an annual salary of $12,000.

Gov. Burton M. Cross said he will elevate Fellows within a week to succeed Chief Justice Edward F. Merrill of Skowhegan, whose retirement will become effective April 7, four days before his 71st birthday.

Fellows, who was appointed to the Supreme Court May 1, 1946, by Gov. Horace A. Hildreth, will be unanimously confirmed by the governor’s executive council.

Although Fellows will be nominated to a seven-year term, his age will not permit him to serve all of that, if he elects to take advantage of retirement income.

Fellows, one of Maine’s most respected justices in judicial history, served as a Superior Court justice about seven years – he was appointed Dec. 29, 1939, by Gov. Lewis O. Barrows – before his elevation to the highest bench.

As chief justice he will receive $1,000 a year more than his current salary.

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BANGOR – An architect’s sketch of the proposed new recreational wing at the Bangor YMCA was released this week, showing the outside of the structure, which will be erected at the rear of the Hammond Street building.

The YMCA is now conducting a campaign for $390,000 for the building fund.

The sketch, by Eaton Tarbell and Associates, shows a large stone building, with an entrance on Court Street.

A 25- by 75-foot swimming pool will be in the lower “block” of the new wing, and the upper portion will contain a multi-purpose gymnasium. Also included are a men’s locker and shower room, a gymnasium instructor’s office, a first aid room, a spectator’s lobby, an apparatus storage room and women’s and girl’s shower, dressing and locker rooms complete with hair drying and powder room facilities.

The swimming pool will have a three-meter diving board at one end and spectator space for about 200 people.

The gymnasium will be 60 feet by 80 feet with a sliding partition dividing the floor into two separate areas with individual access doors. This arrangement will provide facilities for a wide range of activities, which may be held simultaneously.

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Mrs. Marcia E. Gowdy celebrated her 88th birthday at 19 Fourth St., where she makes her home with her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Francis MacDonald. Mrs. Gowdy received many gifts, cards and flowers, and two birthday cakes – one made by a girlhood friend, Mrs. Lizzie Soper, and one made by Mrs. MacDonald.

Born in Exeter, where she lived until coming to Bangor 13 years ago, Mrs. Gowdy is a member of the Exeter Grange. A large number of friends and neighbors visited her on her birthday. Mrs. Gowdy is very active and is an ardent television fan.

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BANGOR – Mrs. Forrest W. Allingham and William J. Cupp, co-chairmen of the Bangor Community Concerts membership drive, expressed optimism that membership for the 1954-1955 season would exceed this year’s membership figure.

“This will ensure,” they said, “the finest concert attractions ever to be presented in Bangor by the association.”

One of the season’s stellar attractions will be the appearance of Yehudi Menuhin, violinist.

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BANGOR – A freak accident took place when an F-84 Thunderjet of the 506th Strategic Fighter Wing was coming in for a landing at Dow AFB.

Capt. Robert Littlefield was returning from a routine training flight on which he had been towing a target, and en route back, the target let go from the cable, leaving it trailing the aircraft.

As he approached the base for his landing, he encountered hydraulic difficulties and made two passes over the field before he could lower his landing gear. Then, coming in for a landing, the trailing cable struck two automobiles in a parking lot on Outer Hammond Street. Only one car was occupied and Carl J. Betterley of Old Town received a scratch when the cable entered the open window of his car. The other three occupants in the car were not injured.

Base officials are investigating the extent of the damage resulting from the unusual accident.

100 years ago – March 25, 1904

BANGOR – Both the Maine Central and Bangor and Aroostook railroads are offering return tickets for the Nordica concert at one-half rates. Such a strong attraction as Madame Nordica will bring hundreds to Bangor from outside places and, with the local attendance, an audience that will tax the capacity of City Hall is a surety.

The program Nordica will sing is one sure to please all tastes, from the popular to the classical. The great prima donna will be heard in several of her biggest operatic arias in which she is sure to create the same enthusiasm as has been apparent in all her concerts this season, which is by far the most successful of her career.

It is expected there will be a very heavy demand for seats.

(Editor’s note: Madame Nordica, 1857-1914, the opera diva, was born Lillian Norton in Farmington.)

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BANGOR – The annual sale of unclaimed packages was held yesterday at the American Express offices, being conducted by Charles S. Pearl of Pearl and Dennett.

People were packed in so tightly that when one man took a deep breath his nearest neighbor grunted, he was squeezed so hard. Prospective buyers were festooned gracefully on the counters, on window ledges and on top of doors.

The average bid was 70 cents, and in some cases good prizes were drawn. The express officials didn’t know what was in the parcels.

One man paid 80 cents for a box filled with empty bottles, many of which were cracked or broken.

He went home, unable to see the joy of spring.

Compiled by Ardeana Hamlin