YESTERDAY …

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(As reported in the Bangor Daily News)

10 years ago – Nov. 25, 1994

BANGOR – Anne Marchini, 9, of Monroe tucked her hands into the pocket of her apron as she approached a table at Pizza Hut off Bangor Mall Boulevard.

“Can I get you anything?” the winsome fourth-grader with a braided ponytail asked a Winterport family who had come for free Thanksgiving fare.

“I love this work,” Marchini proclaimed as she dashed off to fill orders for soda, water and other beverages.

Bone-chilling temperatures outside belied the warm spirit inside some Bangor restaurants and shelters that served up piping hot Thanksgiving meals to area people without families homes or holiday options.

Even politicians gave up part of their holiday to serve foods to the less fortunate. Congressman-elect John Baldacci spent an hour or so at the Bangor Mental Health Institute, where he helped serve a dinner to about a dozen elderly residents.

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ORONO – Listen, my children, and you shall hear of the midnight ride of Paul Revere … or maybe not.

History without Paul Revere?

Critics of the proposed national standards for teaching history believe Revere and others could be dropped in favor of minority figures, and they’re screaming that the man who slipped by the British might not be so lucky with the PC, or political correctness, police.

The standards, released in late October as the latest installment in a series of curriculum guidelines, suggests that teachers give more attention to the study of American Indians, blacks, women and others who have been relegated to footnote status under traditional teaching methods.

And on this Thanksgiving, as Americans continue to take a closer look at how the country was founded, the debate goes directly to the arguments over just whose story history should include.

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BANGOR – You never know who may be watching.

Walking down the street, you peer up at the blank-faced mannequins who stare out of a shop window, off into space, bored.

But then one winks at you. And it startles you. Fortunately, you’re not driving.

“I’m surprised there haven’t been any accidents,” said Lori Howard, owner of Bloomers, a downtown Bangor lingerie shop, who dreamed up the promotion.

Her “mannequin” is Tammi Pearson, a petite young woman with flashing blue eyes, who doubles as a sales associate at the store when she’s not in the window modeling silk pajamas and robes.

25 years ago – Nov. 25, 1979

HAMPDEN – A doll house for children will be one of the highlights of the St. Matthew’s Christmas Fair. The Ladies Action Group of the Hampden church will feature the seven-room house as the fair’s main attraction.

The Joe Gallant family constructed the shell of the two-story house. Women of the action group completed the interior fantasy rooms which are decorated to the last detail.

Double front doors reveal a pleasing entrance hall. On the right is a bright, sunny kitchen furnished not only with the usual appliances by also handsome handmade hanging plants at the windows.

The center of the first floor is composed of a formal dining room with a buffet, table and tea cart. Adjoining that room is the living room with a grandfather clock, sofa, chair and fireplace.

A paneled family room includes a wood stove, game table, stereo and piano. Highlighting the upstairs master bedroom is a brass bed. Brightly painted Dutch furniture and a red rocking horse fill a child’s bedroom.

The bathroom is complete with tub, sink, toilet and medicine chest. Finally, an upstairs balcony patio sports redwood deck furniture and barbecue grill.

The doll house provided as much fun to its decorators as it will for its eventual owner.

50 years ago – Nov. 25, 1954

HERMON – A special town meeting was called to consider the rental purchase of a new power grader for summer and winter road maintenance.

The cost of the new grader, including an allowance for an old grader to be traded in, will be approximately $14,000. The grader will pay for itself during the five-year period it would be financed, said Town Manager Elton M. Rich, and therefore no tax appropriation will be necessary.

Hermon has 48.05 miles of road to plow in the winter; 23.2 miles of dirt roads to maintain in the summer.

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BANGOR – The meaning of Thanksgiving to the followers of three different faiths was explained to members of the Bangor-Brewer Lions Club at their weekly luncheon at the Penobscot Hotel.

The speakers were the Rev. Joseph H. Butler, curate at St. John’s Catholic Church; the Rev. John Miller, pastor of the Second Congregational Church in South Brewer; and Albert J. Schiro.

Father Butler said, “Americans have been bequeathed a priceless heritage, but with it we have received an obligation to forever protect our freedom.”

Mr. Miller declared that American should hold two definite ideas in their hearts as they approach the Thanksgiving season: humility and penance. He said it was the spirit of service that helped our forefathers go forward to help their fellow men without a thought of reward.

Mr. Schiro, speaking for members of the Jewish faith, declared that Jews had a two-fold reason to be thankful.

While we have sufficient reason to be thankful every day for our American way of life, he said, Jews are this year celebrating the 300th anniversary of their arrival in America.

The history of the Jewish people, he said, is very much the history of the world. This year, as Jews look back on their past, including the stories of David and Moses, they have every reason to be thankful.

100 years ago – Nov. 25, 1904

BUCKSPORT – Capt. Charles B. Dix and Capt. Frank A. Houghton were in Bangor looking for a boiler for the ship yard, as the present one is too small. Steam is now required to furnish power for the saw mill , the three large derricks and also the electric lights.

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BANGOR – Today is the 63rd wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. William Bryant of 43 Elm St.

They were made man and wife in 1841, 63 years ago today, at Ellsworth and have traveled the long journey of life side by side, with the ups and downs, with the sunshine and shadow until today finds both bright and cheerful and in remarkably good health, considering that both are over 80 years old.

No more worthy couple are in the city, and none who appreciate more the substantial remembrances which friends and neighbors cheer each anniversary.

Rarely is an opportunity offered to add to the happiness of a 63rd wedding anniversary and it is hoped that very many will take the opportunity to remember them today. It might bring good luck.

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BANGOR – The ninth annual meeting of the Maine Ornithological Society will be in the Penobscot Exchange, and it is expected that many of the members will arrive in the city early in the forenoon.

Members will visit the collection of Harry Merrill and that of ex-president Knight, 83 Forest Ave.

Illustrated (stereopticon) lectures will take place Friday night in the Ware Memorial Parlors.

Members will visit the collection of Manly Hardy [father of Fanny Hardy Eckstorm], an honorary member who lives in Brewer.

A public meeting will take place Saturday morning in the assembly room at Bangor High School. Scientific papers will be received.

Compiled by Ardeana Hamlin