YESTERDAY …

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10 years ago – Dec. 30, 1994

(As reported in the Bangor Daily News)

BANGOR – It’s not your traditional Welcome Wagon, but Bangor officials have offered tax incentives and a hand in property purchasing negotiations to give a warm welcome to a second Shaw’s Supermarket in the city.

City and Shaw’s representatives gathered in City Council chambers to unveil a more than $8 million project to build a new 53,000-square-foot supermarket on land along Main Street.

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BANGOR – As mayor of Bangor, Charlie Sullivan had dealt with a lot of characters. Some could even be called monsters.

Thursday he had the pleasure of meeting a big blue monster, known to children across America as Cookie Monster.

The monster and his pals are in town for a Sesame Street Live Show at the Bangor Auditorium.

In an official City Hall ceremony, Sullivan presented a proclamation to Cookie Monster recognizing the educational efforts of the cookie fiend and his “Sesame Street” friends.

While Cookie Monster was left speechless by the honor, he nodded vigorously when asked if he was happy to be in Bangor.

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BANGOR – When Japanese people look at the full moon and let their imaginations go, they probably won’t see a man’s face – they are more likely to picture two rabbits making mochi, a sweet rice cake, by pounding rice in a hollowed-out stump.

Cultural differences between Japan and the United States are a source of fascination – and frustration. Long simmering trade disagreements have sharpened the differences and given them economic weight.

The Japan-America Society is an effort to capitalize on the fascination and reduce frustration through understanding. A new chapter of the society is starting in Bangor, inspired by the sister-state relationship between Maine and Amori Prefecture.

“We want to start as a social group rather than an organization,” said Stephen Boardway, one of the founders of the Bangor chapter. “We want to see what people’s interests are.”

25 years ago – Dec. 30, 1979

BANGOR – Galen L. Cole, president of Cole’s Express trucking firm, had been chosen the northern Maine area’s honorary chairman of the Weekend with the Stars Telethon for Cerebral Palsy.

A former mayor of Bangor, Cole is the past president of the Associated Industries of Maine and the Maine State Chamber of Commerce.

Local segments of the telethon will be hosted by Nancy Dysart, Claire Porter, Chuck Jones and Steve Robbins.

Hosts from Hollywood will include John Ritter of ABC’s “Three’s Company,” Henry Winkler from “Happy Days,” Dick Van Patten of “Eight is Enough,” Gavin MacLeod of “Love Boat,” television personality Dennis James and singer-songwriter Paul Anka.

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BANGOR – Both the Bangor Symphony and the Bangor Historical Society were axed recently from the city budget, with the action causing dismay to both organizations.

Dan Priestly, the president of the symphony board and Juliet Kellogg, on the board of the historical society, realize that the financial support given is “token,” but they are concerned that the city has formally withdrawn its backing from two of its oldest and most productive cultural legacies.

“It’s sad that Bangor has terminated a program that has been operative for 115 years,” said Mrs. Kellogg. “Yes, what we’ve received – $650 last year – has not been large, but it reflects interest in what is clearly a strong cultural attraction. If Bangor wants to become known as a convention city, what with the new civic center and such, then we should have diversions for those who come here. They are selling points.”

50 years ago – Dec. 30, 1954

BANGOR – John W. Stuefloten, district supervisor from the New York headquarters of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, arrived in Bangor Wednesday. He will appear as the principal speaker at a three-day convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses. His subject will be “Does God Really Care?”

Roy W. Snow, presiding minister of the Bangor congregation, will officially open the convention. Edmund J. Rose, traveling supervisor of the ministerial work of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Maine and parts of New Hampshire, will give an address of welcome to the delegates representing 20 congregations.

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BANGOR – One of the largest parties ever held by the Bangor Lodge of Elks is taking shape as reservations continue to be made by members for the New Year’s dinner dance at the clubrooms.

The affair will feature dancing to the music of Johnny Gass’ Orchestra. More than 150 reservations already have been made.

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BUCKSPORT – Bucksport Lions Club met at the Sea Grill with King Lion John Tracy conducting the session. Plans were made for a broom and electric light bulb drive, proceeds to go to the local War Memorial monument.

W.P. Bartels, chairman of the program committee, introduced the guest speaker, Homer Edgecomb, who spoke on his activities as game warden.

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GLENBURN – Pupils not absent during the first semester at the West Glenburn school were Paulette Frost, Reginald Barnes, Charles Kyer and Howard Ogilvie.

Pupils having 100 percent in spelling were Jean Pomroy, Marie Buzzell, Betty Pomroy, Shirley Alexander and Linda Libby.

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BREWER – Brewer City Engineer Arthur Clark will wind up his duties before leaving for Augusta to accept a position in the private sector, according to City Manager Robert E. Stewart. Clark accepted a position with New England Metal Culvert Co. He has been city engineer in Brewer since May 7, 1953.

100 years ago – Dec. 23, 1904

BUCKSPORT – One of the most interesting places in town is at F.W. McAllister’s sleigh and carriage repository on Main Street. Mr. McAllister has sleighs of all sorts and descriptions, from the cheap in price, but not in make, to the expensive ones. It is worth one’s while to drop in and see them, whether in need of one or not, as the finish and style are equal to the best that can be bought from any large city, and all are made “on honor.”

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A.R. Gray goes to Boston on the boat, after a visit with relatives here. His many friends will congratulate him on an increase of pension, which he has lately received.

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Deputy Snowman responded to a call to the house known as “the Hive” on Wednesday evening. His promptness and forcible persuasion speedily quieted the trouble. No arrests were made.

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The Ladies’ Sewing Circle of the Elm Street Church had an enjoyable social in the chapel. Mrs. C.C. Homer, Mrs. C.O. Page and Mrs. George P. Homer presided.

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BANGOR – In the Opera House Charles K. Harris and his company presented “The Prisoner of Andersonville” to a large and appreciative audience. The performance passed off very smoothly, with no recurrence of the scene, which disgusted every decent person in the theater the night before.

Probably the most surprising feature of this unpleasant affair is to be found in the following statement of some reporter: “Students of the university have created disturbances at the Opera House in the past. They were boys in exuberant spirits and should never be noticed.”

Probably there are some theatergoers so old-fashioned as to believe that a party of students suffering from a bad attack of “exuberant spirits” should not be permitted to spoil the evening’s pleasure of a theater full of people. It is difficult to understand why disturbances by college students should be excused on the grounds of “exuberant spirits’ and should “not be noticed” when a similar demonstration from any other theatergoer in the city would at once receive the attention of the ushers or the police. Are college students so infinitely good that they are above the restrictions imposed upon the common herd?

Compiled by Ardeana Hamlin