(As reported in the Bangor Daily News)

10 years ago – Nov. 18, 1994

BANGOR – What do saltwater fish, CD-ROMs and books and magazines have in common? All of them can be found in a new super bookstore opening up in Bangor.

Although it is owned by the Foss family, which operates 18 Mr. Paperback stores in Maine, that’s about all the new store will have in common with its siblings.

Located in the new Crossroads strip mall on Stillwater Avenue, the Booksource, at 9,000 square feet, will be almost twice the size of the largest Mr. Paperback stores. The extra space will house a greater variety of books – about 60,000 titles – and other resources like CD-ROM and books on tape.

The new store is intended to be a radical departure from the Mr. Paperback stores, said company controller Bill Rice. The new store will sport a more relaxed, customer-friendly atmosphere, something that’s happening to bookstores across the country, Rice said. He said that some bookstores are operating small delis and have coffee available for customers, although he doesn’t see such things being put in this first Booksource store.

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BANGOR – Weather has been a help and a hindrance to the construction of the veterans home overlooking the Penobscot River.

While early autumn torrential rains slowed progress at the muddied construction site, the recent unseasonably warm temperatures have allowed work to move forward almost on schedule.

Construction of the 120-bed facility on the campus of the Bangor Mental Health Institute is scheduled to be completed by July 1, 1995. If all goes according to plan, the $9 million facility will be open to house veterans by Sept. 1.

25 years ago – Nov. 18, 1979

ORONO – “I always wanted to be an artist,” said John Meunch. “But I was a printer before I became a printmaker.” His lithographs are on display at Hauck Auditorium at the University of Maine.

The recipient of many awards and grants, Meunch in 1966 was sent to Honduras to teach on a U.S. Department of State Specialists Grant for Teaching in Central America.

During a period in Paris, Meunch one day went up to an atelier to watch the making of lithographs. Lucky enough to see Marc Chagall working on a colored lithograph, he became intensely interested in the process. “I made some black-and-white lithographs in this country,” Meunch said, “but in those days artists regularly went to Europe to learn the procedure.”

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AURORA – The oldest public brick building in Hancock County isn’t in Ellsworth, Bucksport or Mount Desert Island. A small, unassuming structure, you could easily dismiss it with a glance while driving down the Hillside Road in Aurora.

Aurora town officials submitted an application on the 152-year-old building for entry on the national historic register this summer, according to second selectman Joan Larson.

According to the history of the town by Maine Superior Court Justice Herbert T. Silsby 2nd, the schoolhouse built from bricks made in a local brickyard, is the oldest standing public brick building in Hancock County. Silsby’s ancestors reportedly ran the brickyard.

Built in 1827, the one-room structure was used as a school until 1918, when the eight grades were moved to what is now the town hall.

50 years ago – Nov. 18, 1954

BANGOR – “The success of the B’nai B’rith program is the elasticity of the framework within which it was built, which enables it to meet and grow with the needs of changing times,” Oscar Goldman, prominent Lewiston attorney and civic leader, told B’nai B’rith women at a recent meeting. Mr. Goldman spoke at the coffee hour and reception for new members of the Pine Tree chapter held at the Hebrew Community Center.

“Its concerns with making democracy live through its manifold activities in the field of Americanism, citizenship and community service, and its service to humanity through its philanthropies here and abroad is the core of a record 111 years of service,” Mr. Goldman declared. The speaker urged every member to make her membership as active as “Operation Womanpower” in the B’nai B’rith organization, offers the opportunity to serve and be served through its role in the community and world affairs.

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BUCKSPORT – A deputation team of students from the Maine Christian Association at the University of Maine were guests of the Senior Youth Fellowship of the Franklin Street Methodist Church. This team conducted a social at the church vestry. In the team were Priscilla Pfeiffer, David Drane, Robert Rand and James Dutton.

Twenty-four members of the Senior Youth Fellowship of the Franklin Street Methodist Church attended a Youth Rally at Grace Methodist Church in Bangor. Lionel Harvey of the Bucks-port group was nominated as leader of Christian Citizenship for the subdistrict.

100 years ago – Nov. 18, 1904

OLD TOWN – Collins’ Moving Pictures, among which may be mentioned: “Circus Views,” “The Bowery Kiss,” “A Trip to the Moon” and “The Enchanted Trunk,” will be shown in the Old Town City Hall.

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ORONO – The Methodist fair opened in the church vestry and that vestry is the gayest, most attractive place possible, overflowing with all sorts of lovely and useful articles. The fancy work booth, “Vanity Fair,” is prettily decorated in pink and green and has an unusual array of dainty articles. The booth is in charge of Mrs. K.P. Harrington.

The punch booth, “Rebecca at the Well,” where delicious punch is served you from an ice-well, is presided over by Mrs. Russell Newman.

The booth where sofa pillows are sold, which bears the name, “Sweet Content,” is in the charge of Mrs. William Rowell and some very handsome pillow covers are to be found here.

The “Corner Market” is decorated with white and violet and has a fine collection of all kinds of fruit and vegetables, jellies and preserves. Here the housewives gather. This booth is in charge of Mrs. V. Inman.

The apron booth, “Pinafore,” is decorated in pink and white. Here are all kinds of aprons, and Mrs. William Harrigan, who presides over the collection, is a charming past worthy matron of the art of selling aprons.

The candy booth, “A Terrible Temptation,” is decorated in black and red and is running over with all kinds of delicious and tempting things.

The doll booth, “The Children’s Hour,” is surrounded at all times by a group of little mothers. Miss Jennie Canfield presides over this pretty pink and green booth.

The Epworth League room has been finely fitted up with handsome rugs, screens and daintily decorated tables, and well deserves the name, “A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream.” Here, refreshments are served in charge of Mrs. James Park.

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SOUTH ORRINGTON – The people of Orrington who have become accustomed to using the telephone have had rather a lonesome time since the heavy storm.

All the lines running from the central here are down and crossed and communication by wire has been cut off altogether, and although no poles are broken, as is the case in many places, all subscribers will be obliged to have patience as the telephone company is doing all possible to put the lines in condition.

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BANGOR – About 30 or 40 young people have formed a class to meet in the [Bangor Theological] Seminary gymnasium one night a week. Dr. Langdon Chilcott is the director. The is the first time that Dr. Chilcott has gone into anything of this sort since he drilled the famous military company of young ladies known as the Chilcothians 15 years ago. The exhibition drill given in Norumbega Hall by that company was the talk of the town for a long, long time. And if the doctor has as good success with the “gym” class there will be reason for satisfaction all around. At the first meeting they were given the “setting up” exercise and light apparatus work was demonstrated.

Compiled by Ardeana Hamlin