10 years ago – June 2, 1995

(As reported in the Bangor Daily News)

BANGOR – It appeared that Justice Margaret Kravchuk might be downright sick and tired of the perception of justice being played out on TV screens during the O.J. Simpson trial.

In a somewhat unusual move, the judge took several minutes before sentencing an offender to praise the conduct of both attorneys.

“When knowledge of our justice system is too often limited to sensationalized TV coverage with one lawyer saying another lawyer has half a brain, I think it is important to pause and recognize the civil, courteous and competent manner in which the attorneys in this case conducted themselves,” Kravchuk told a packed courtroom. “If more people actually came into the courtroom and watched trials like this one, I think it would go a long way toward restoring the public’s image of what our criminal justice system is about.”

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BANGOR – Need a new dueling rapier? Or maybe a handmade Bowie knife with a custom grip sized just for you? Forget the special order catalogs – Bangor has not one, but two blade smiths at work right here in town.

Adam Williams puts in 10-12 hours a day in his Winter Street shop turning out authentic swords, daggers and armor for use by members of the Society of Creative Anachronism, a national organization of medieval re-enactors.

Over on Fruit Street, Mark Kunz specializes in made-to-order cutlery ranging from pocket knives to throwing daggers.

25 years ago – June 2, 1980

ORONO – Kathleen Carreiro has graduated magna cum laude from Boston University with a silver award from the Alumni Association for outstanding achievement.

She will spend her occupational therapy affiliations at the Elizabeth Levinson Center in Bangor. She is engaged to marry Steven Cartwright of Orono in June.

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ORONO – Jennie Sapiel, a pupil in grade five at the Asa C. Adams School, has been notified that her entry in the Education Ecology Poem and Poster Program has been selected a finalist.

Paul Keogh, director of Public Awareness Office, U.S. Environmental Protection, Boston, announced that this is the second highest award in the program and only 200 entries out of more than 7,000 were selected as finalists.

50 years ago – June 2, 1955

BANGOR – In the first six months of operation, the Bangor-Brewer toll bridge receipts totaled $36,621 as 826,784 vehicles used the span over the Penobscot River.

“The bridge is doing about as well as had been expected,” said C.A. Whitten, bridge construction engineer. “Of course, it never has been in operation during the summer months, and so it will be interesting to see what it does during the tourist season.”

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BREWER – William A. Young, 74, retired from Eastern Corp. after 37 years of service in the finishing department of the Brewer paper mill.

He was born April 14, 1881, in Columbia. After attending the public schools, he worked during the summers at farming and in the blueberry fields for his father. Winters he worked in the woods. In 1904 Young moved to Orrington where he worked at farming for the next 12 years, and for two years operated a farm while the owner was recovering from an injury. After that, Young moved to Brewer to take a job at Peoples’ Laundry driving a pickup and delivery wagon.

In 1916 he entered the employ of Eastern and his first job was moving loads at the sheet cutter’s. During the years that followed, Young worked in the dry loft handling rag papers for two years, then moved to various jobs in the finishing department where he became a general paper finisher. His next work was as a mover of loads to and from the counters. For the next 18 years he worked in the roll department of finishing. At the time of his retirement he was a member of the janitor service in the paper mill.

Mr. Young, though not a hobbyist, is still keenly interested in fishing and hunting.

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BANGOR – Installation of 30 parking meters in Haymarket Square was approved by the Bangor City Council’s committee on public safety. The meters will be installed in the area which has been for unrestricted parking to provide for an overturning parking space.

The committee agreed on having the meters set for two hours and it is hoped that the new plan will materially aid shoppers in finding space – the area being close to the heart of the business area.

The committee received a petition with four signers asking that Broadway from State Street to Somerset Street be made a one-hour parking zone. The committee took no action when the proposal failed to receive police department recommendation.

Chief John O’Toole explained that if Broadway should be made one-hour parking, it would probably open the door for others in the so-called “fringe area” to seek similar action. It was the opinion of the committee that people who bring their cars to work must have some place reasonably close to the midtown section to leave their autos.

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OLD TOWN – Construction of the new F.W. Woolworth Co. store here – to be one of the most modern establishments in the area – is scheduled to start this week.

The one-story building, to be built by the James M. Blenkhorn Construction company of Bangor, will be located on the site of the old Farnsworth Hotel, which was destroyed by fire.

Among the estimated $80,000 interior furnishings is planned a $45,000 luncheonette section.

It is reported that other buildings in the area are to be remodeled to completely modernize the entire area.

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BUCKSPORT – A public reception was held in honor of the Rev. John McVicar on the 25th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. Father McVicar has been pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Bucksport since Sept. 1, 1943.

The program included orchestra selections, introduction by Charles Baker, and selections by the St. Vincent de Paul’s choir and the Oblate Seminary choir, address by the Very Rev. Thomas Nelligan of St. Mary’s Catholic Church at Orono, a French folk song by Charlene Mushrall, selections by the Maritime Academy, presentation of a Spiritual Bouquet by Margaret Baker and Peter Clough, presentation of purse on behalf of the parish, and presentation of purse on behalf of the community by Stephen Barry.

Father McVicar said he would use the purse presented by his parish as a fund to

help some boy or boys in the parish to train for the priesthood.

100 years ago – June 2, 1905

BANGOR – Great interest is being taken in the roller skating race at the auditorium. The race will be 5 miles long and will be the first race of its kind held in Bangor for years. Many of Bangor’s speediest skaters are daily practicing, and there is no doubt by what fast time will be made.

The large crowds are enjoying the skating immensely, and every afternoon and evening many new recruits are added to those already enthusiastic. The great increase of lady skaters was gratifying and among their number are many who can skate finely and are fully as graceful as any of the gentlemen.

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ORONO – A fire, caused, it is believed, by crossed electrical wires, completely gutted St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Main Street. The damage, both to building and furnishings, is estimated at $8,000, covered by insurance.

The church was built in 1901 at a cost of $12,000 and is a one-story structure, consisting of a stone basement and a temporary roof. It was planned to build the remainder of the church this summer.

When notified of the fire, the Rev. M.J. Healey, curate of the church, entered the building amid flame and smoke, and hastening toward the altar, carried out the Blessed Sacrament.

T. Frank Shatney, who for 10 years has served as altar boy of the church, and who is familiar with every turn of the edifice, brought forth the vestments and other valuable articles near the altar. Mr. Shatney rescued the Missal, considerably burned and defaced. The vestments, while wet with water hurled into the church by the firemen, were uninjured.

Mounting the roof covered by tarred paper, which made dangerous material for a fire, the Orono firemen manfully fought the blaze, which threatened to set fire to nearby houses.

Compiled by Ardeana Hamlin