The pictures of the Bangor trolley cars in the Weekly section of the Jan. 5 edition of the Bangor Daily News reminded me of a bit of family humor. My maternal grandfather, William Pelkey, a.k.a. Belonie Pelletier, was employed at Bangor Hydro as a carpenter. These men kept the cars repaired as they were mainly constructed of wood.

Whenever my father, with hammer and nails in hand, attempted some project, my mother stood in command of the job because – to quote her – “I should know how to do this as my father was a carpenter.” I have also used this phrase many times as I am her direct descendant.

Every family needs a jack-of-all-trades and a know-it-all as an overseer.

Harriet Tilley

Bangor