(As reported in the Bangor Daily News)

10 years ago – Jan. 27, 1995

BANGOR – Solving the riddle of the Sphinx may be easier than formulating a parking policy for the West side, city officials discovered.

Because of extremely narrow streets and unfavorable topography, the city found it has few options in formulating a parking policy in the area bounded by Lincoln, Parker, Main and Fifth streets.

The city’s preliminary recommendation was not to allow parking on either side of all the north-south streets in the area. Parking would be allowed on one side of both Fifth and Third streets. The proposed changes are part of an effort to create a citywide comprehensive parking policy.

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BANGOR – Thirty-nine years ago, Ralph Mishou had no idea his professional life would be dedicated to cleaning up the Penobscot River.

Looking back over his 26 years as Bangor’s wastewater treatment plant superintendent, Mishou couldn’t think of the better mission.

The man affectionately referred to as “Uncle Poop” by his nieces and nephews has relished his tenure as the treatment plant’s only superintendent. He credits his crew – the best in the country he calls them – with making his job much easier.

25 years ago – Jan. 27, 1980

ORRINGTON – Fourth- and fifth-grade students at the North Orrington School are reading classic short works by such writers as Leo Tolstoy, Nathaniel Hawthorne, James Thurber and Kenneth Grahame as part of the curriculum.

Then they hold freewheeling discussions of the ideas and human insights in the books, free of the vocabulary lists, phonics charts and book report forms that so often weigh down reading instruction in schools.

“I really didn’t like to read. Ever since I started this I’ve been reading books outside of school as much as possible,” said Lenny Mann, a fifth-grader in the weekly course. Other students indicated they like the course better than their regular reading class because the books are more interesting and they get a chance to express their own ideas.

The course offers a supplement to regular reading instruction in which an emphasis on mechanical skills shows students how to read, but not necessarily how to enjoy reading.

50 years ago – Jan. 27, 1955

BANGOR – In 1947, the headlines of New York newspapers carried a report to the effect that a book was purchased at auction for the price of $151,000. That’s quite a lot of money to spend for single book, but this particular publication was something out of the ordinary. Its title? The Bay Psalm Book – the first book printed in English in America in 1640, 20 years after the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock.

Though 1,700 copies of the book were printed, there are just 10 known copies left. Eight are in public libraries in the states, one is privately owned, and the remaining copy is at Oxford University, England.

This book and other valuable publications, rich in the history of early America, may be seen at the Bangor Public Library. Not in their original form, however, but through the modern process of film, which students, teachers, researchers, journalists and others use to find out information of our generation and past generations – film that cost $10, not $151,000.

One of the many sections of one of the most extensive public libraries in the country, the film department here houses a complete file of many newspapers and letters dating back to the founding of our country, all of which may be viewed by the movement of a dial on either one of two modern Recordax viewers.

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ORONO – One Orono woman has certainly done her share for the March of Dimes Campaign and is turning money over to be credited to the Orono Mothers’ March.

Mrs. Bernard K. Hillson, 19 Oak St., has made Jewish breads and sold it to her friends and neighbors and earned $35.50 for the Mothers’ March. Her goal was $50, but because gas service has been interrupted several times during the past few days she has not been able to use her oven to bake the breads.

Last year Hillson turned over $10 for the Mothers’ March from a similar project. She says that if all goes well next year, she hopes to make $100 for the March of Dimes drive.

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BANGOR – The Mobile Amateur Radio Operators of the Bangor Civil Defense Corps will provide coverage for the women working on the Mothers’ March. This is an innovation and it should enable workers to contact everyone in the area who wants to contribute to the 1955 March of Dimes in Bangor and Brewer.

Mobile radio cars will be stationed at various points in Bangor and Brewer and a control station will dispatch these cars to any point in the two cities as needed. This will enable everyone who wishes to aid in the March of Dimes to do so this year.

This service also can be used by any person missed in the regular collection.

The units aiding in this effort are Murray Barchard, Robert Field, James Golden, Alden Lancaster, Charles Landers, Lauris MacGowan, Harold Reynold, Walter Warman, Danville Webber, Robert Bass, Richard Green and John Hennessey.

100 years ago – Jan. 27, 1905

BANGOR – The Standard Millinery College graduated a class of eight young ladies, and appropriate and interesting exercises were held. The program was as follows: Solo, Miss Lydia Bishop; duet, Misses Andrews and Bishop; reading, Mrs. Lelia B. Morse; and the awarding of diplomas.

During the exercises Annie L. Coy, superintendent, addressed the graduating class. She said: “It affords me much pleasure to award you your well-earned and deserving reward for your season of toil under my instructions. I am not pleased to part with you. Even though your chair will be taken by another, your position in my memory and interest will always hold its place. I shall watch your growth in the millinery business with great pride. Remember your success depends wholly upon your untiring efforts.”

The college is in a flourishing condition and the demand for instruction in millinery is so great that the present rooms are inadequate to the demands and a number of names are on the waiting list.

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BUCKSPORT – It was a hard day for the rural mail delivery carriers. The high wind caused great discomfort, besides drifting the snow. J.D. Quimby, carrier for the East Bucksport route, was only able to go seven miles when he was forced to return. Daniel Courcey of Route No. 2, which includes Bucksport valley and around Long Pond, was forced to return at the end of the third mile from here. J.P. Stubbs, carrier for the Penobscot and East Orland route, got out four miles before he was forced to return.

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BUCKSPORT – The Pemaquid arrived here on time Wednesday night after what was said by those who have the doubtful pleasure of enjoying the day, to be one of the roughest passages ever encountered.

On the Pemaquid’s arrival in Camden, Capt. Foss deemed it imprudent, owing to the amount of ice and the high wind, to make their landing at Belfast, which fact was greatly appreciated by the passengers. All feel greatly indebted to Capt. Foss and the men, who did much to alleviate the suffering, consisting of fear and seasickness throughout the trip.

Compiled by Ardeana Hamlin