10 years ago – May 13, 1994

(As reported in the Bangor Daily News)

BANGOR – The standout character of Jay Craven’s new feature-length art film, “Where the River Flows North,” is called Bangor, an Abnaki Indian named after our fair town.

As it turns out, ‘most everyone who has seen the film liked Bangor the character, too. Tantoo Cardinal, of “Dances With Wolves” fame, won the best actress award at the American Indian Film Festival for her honest and entertaining portrayal of Bangor (the character). She was recently honored at a Smithsonian Institution screening in Washington, D.C., for being the first Native American actress in a starring role.

Today the film opens at Hoyts Cinemas in Bangor (the city), and Cardinal’s exciting performance is sure to grab the attention of Mainers, too.

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BANGOR – The Maine Department of Transportation could call the proposed Penobscot bridge replacement its “forever project.” That’s about how long it’s taken to get the project anywhere near its official groundbreaking ceremony.

The circa 1906 steel girder bridge between Bangor and Brewer replaced a structure swept away by an early 1900s ice jam. The narrow span can no longer handle modern traffic.

According to Larry Roberts, an MDOT engineer of design, the old bridge has been posted for years to prevent large trucks from using it. The MDOT frequently checks and repairs the bridge.

The MDOT designed a steel girder, concrete deck bridge that would extend from the intersection of Oak and Washington streets in Bangor to State Street in Brewer.

25 years ago – May 13, 1979

BANGOR – Noel Paul Stookey, the famed Paul of the Peter, Paul and Mary trio, will be the featured speaker at Husson College’s commencement exercises.

Stookey, who is to receive an honorary doctorate degree from Husson College, came to Maine to live several years ago and established a recording-animation studio, Eight-Track Studios, in a renovated three-story hen house. Since that time he has given many benefit concerts.

Since his move to Maine, Stookey says his life has become less hectic, his manner has become more peaceful and his music more inspirational.

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BANGOR – Congressman William S. Cohen has several activities planned over the weekend in Bangor.

The Republican candidate for the Senate seat occupied by Sen. William D. Hathaway, D-Maine, will autograph his recently published book of poems, “Of Sons and Seasons,” at Betts Bookstore in the Sunbury Mall at Bangor at noon.

During the afternoon, Cohen is scheduled to tour the streets of Hampden and Newport. Later he will attend a testimonial dinner at the Bangor Armory honoring Bangor businessman Galen Cole.

On Monday, Cohen will address the second-grade class at Abraham Lincoln School. The class will travel to Washington, D.C., May 19, to meet with President Jimmy Carter at the White House. Carter extended an invitation to the class during his recent visit to Bangor.

50 years ago – May 13, 1954

BANGOR – Dow Air Force Base will join the world in the observance of Armed Forces Day. With “Power for Peace” as the 1954 theme, personnel at Dow have for weeks been busy with plans for the event, which it is hoped will attract thousands of people.

For the first time, the “wraps” will be taken off the new F-84Fs, the fast jet Thunderstreaks based at this installation. The daylong program will feature more than 50 displays, all equipment used in protecting this country from enemy attack. Home of the Strategic Air Command’s 506th Strategic Fighter Wing, Dow has several “tenant” USAF units which also will take part in the event.

Among the highlights of the day will be a spectacular air show, a ground attack and an air-to-air refueling demonstration.

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OLD TOWN – Pupils of the fifth- and sixth-grades at Stillwater Grammar School will present a Night of Television. Proceeds are to be used toward funds for a school picnic.

The program consists of four short skits, dancing, singing, instrumental and baton twirling numbers. Mrs. Howard Wadleigh will be accompanist.

Those taking part in the various skits include Sandra Goodnow, Marlene Miles, Robert White, Frederick Sibley, Henry Mudgett, Bonnie Stormann, Ruth Dempsey, Gertrude Barden, Mary Pollard, Stuart Rich, Linwood Wadleigh, Peter Voutour, Beverly Simpson and Marilyn Wickett.

Others who will take part in specialties and as stage hands are Ginger Perkins, Sandra Miles, Rebecca Ogden, Lloyd Wickett, Bruce Smith and Woody Sibley. Arline Read will be the announcer.

The fifth- and sixth-grade pupils are taught by Roger Wallace, principal of the Stillwater School.

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BANGOR – When the weather breaks and such work is effective, one of the first jobs on the list of Bangor public works department will be the resurfacing of Fourteenth Street, City Engineer James L. MacLeod said.

The surface of the street, which was rebuilt last year, has broken up badly and there have been many complaints about its condition.

MacLeod said people in the area were complaining about the street being closed and that the street was opened sooner than it should have been, which resulted in more damage.

100 years ago – May 13, 1904

HAMPDEN – In an interesting but rather one-sided baseball game, the University of Maine School of Law defeated the Hampden Academy nine on the grounds of the latter team in Hampden, the score being 14-2.

Hight for the law school pitched a star game striking out 17 men and allowing only two hit balls to land outside the diamond, and one of those never struck the ground landing very conveniently in fielder Brown’s glove.

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ORRINGTON – The Orrington brass band will go to Hampden May 17 to assist in a band concert entertainment to be given under the auspices of the Penobscot Marine Band of that place.

The Orrington Band will give the first open air concert of the season in the park in Friday night.

Quite a number of people from this place attended the production of “Ben Hur” given at the Bangor Opera House last week.

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WINTERPORT – Rehearsals are now in progress for the drama, “Little Buckshot,” which is to be given by the Winterport High School dramatic club at Union Hall May 19 for the benefit of the senior class. Cast members are William Hill, Raymond Cole, E. Richard Page, Charles Thompson, Homer McAuliffe, Frank Knowles, Ralph Lane, Belle Thayer, Marion Philbrook, Jessie Baker and Louis McDonough.

Compiled by Ardeana Hamlin