10 years ago – June 22, 1996

(As reported in the Bangor Daily News)

BANGOR – Ada Deer, assistant secretary of Indian Affairs, made an astute observation when she spoke at the 12th annual Native American Journalists Association in Bangor.

“Being Indian is more than beads and braids,” said Deer at a midweek luncheon that drew American Indian journalists from across the country and attracted tribal leaders from Maine and other East Coast states.

The group took time out from a busy roster of workshops to listen to Deer’s stereotype-bashing message, one of the key addresses that drew hundreds of American Indians to the Bangor area.

“The mainstream press is doing a poor job of covering American Indians,” Deer said.

There are 1 million Indians in this country, 6,000 of them in Maine – yet there are few Indians in newsrooms today. Only 200 work in the mainstream press, according to Editor & Publisher magazine.

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INDIAN ISLAND – As photographer Justin Data strolled along the streets of Indian Island, he wasn’t sure what he was looking for. After one glance at a 30-foot totem pole in the works, he got the picture.

Data, of Saratoga, N.Y., was competing in the Native American Journalism Association’s “Photo Shoot-out,” a contest sponsored by The New York Times as part of NAJA’s conference held this week in Bangor. The 14 competing photographers were given two rolls of film and less than 10 hours to complete an assignment kept secret until Thursday morning.

Three judges poured over the submitted negatives on a light table at the Bangor Daily News and chose the three winners.

Data is a copy editor at the Post-Star in Glens Falls, N.Y., but is trying to work his way into a full-time photography position at the newspaper.

25 years ago – June 22, 1981

BUCKSPORT – Although only minor property damage was reported, a Maine Central Railroad car that derailed near the St. Regis Paper Co. is believed to have caused a leak in a pipeline that spilled several hundred gallons of heavy oil into the surrounding area.

The derailment happened during switching operations at the Number 1 Bucksport yard. One car was apparently shoved over a bunter, a device that is designed to derail a car before it goes too far, when it fell off the siding.

The weight of the car ruptured a Webber Oil Co. pipeline. Most of the oil released was absorbed into the ground.

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CASTINE – The Maine Maritime Academy board of trustees accepted a gift of property worth a quarter of a million dollars from a donor it would not name. The property was described as a house and certain land associated with it, located in Washington County, and valued at between $150,000 and $300,000. It was given to the academy with the understanding that the owner and another individual have lifetime tenancy on the property.

50 years ago – June 22, 1956

ORRINGTON – “I shall always be very grateful to the United States government and particularly to Sen. Margaret Chase Smith for the privilege of remaining in this country,” a dark-haired, quiet-spoken Japanese girl said at her home in Orrington.

The story behind that statement by Mrs. Sumi Legasse had its beginning nearly two years ago on July 29, 1954, when her Orrington soldier husband, Sgt. George A. Legasse, 24, was the victim of a drowning accident at the U.S. Army Camp Wood in Kumamoto, Japan.

Sergeant Legasse was born at Brewer, the son of Mr. and Mrs. George A. Legasse. He joined the Armed Services while a junior in high school. He saw service in Korea, and in 1950 he was married to Sumi Miyoshi of Tokyo. Charles, their oldest son, is 6 years old and will become a pupil in the Orrington sub-primary grade this fall. Their second son, Alfred W., was born a month after Sergeant Legasse’s death.

When Mrs. Legasse at Orrington received news of her son’s death, she laid aside her own grief in her concern for her daughter-in-law in Japan.

On April 10 of this year a bill, signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower and allowing Mrs. Sumi Legasse to remain in the United States, became a law.

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BANGOR – It was Operation Baby Sitter for the military personnel of Dow AFB as the wives of on-base officers and airmen met at the base theater to set up plans for the 1956 evacuation.

Col. Orie O. Schurter, commanding officer of the 4060th Air Refueling Wing, warned that practice alerts and practice evacuation may seem “unnecessary” to some, but added that if an attack ever becomes a reality this type of experience would not be wasted

Harry Mapes, Maine Civil Defense director, said that he believed an attack was not imminent but that the world situation was getting “worse every day,” and that an attack is highly “possible.” Discussing heat, blast and radiation, Mapes said that evacuation is necessary to move people out of concentrated areas where there are military installations.

Mrs. Lyle Bovee, evacuation chairwoman, told the group that the evacuation depends on everyone doing her part and if one fails, the chain breaks. The women will be alone and must depend upon on their own resources. She explained that in an emergency the husbands will have their military missions to fulfill and will not be available.

100 years ago – June 22, 1906

BREWER – That which is according to fashion’s most solemn decree, the very latest thing in Brewer, has, it is believed, displayed the adage of nothing new under the sun. This is new and more than that, decidedly unique, and nothing less than a doorstep jack o’lantern-lightning bug party.

The first of what will probably be a series was given by a very popular young lady at her home in North Main Street. It was attended by several young ladies, very popular in their social set. One secret discussed was the use of joss sticks. The rest is shrouded in mystery and darkness as no one of the three chaperones will divulge the secrets.

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BANGOR – This evening, what is said to be the largest and most creditable Pure Food Exposition ever held in Bangor will open in City Hall. The hall has been changed into a room of beauty with all the colors of the rainbow blended with the trees of the forest and the flowers of the earth.

Upon entering, each patron will be surprised to see the changes that have been wrought in a few days. There will be an orchestra each afternoon and evening, with free samples and souvenirs given away by all the exhibitors.

The typewriting contest will commence each evening and all persons desiring to enter may do so by applying to the manager or the local representative of the Underwood Typewriter Co.

Persons upon entering the city building will take the elevator to the fair as tickets will be sold at the door upstairs. The price of admission is 15 cents. Patrons can get a rebated ticket free by applying for them in any of the merchants’ stores mentioned in the Food and Industrial Fair advertisement in this paper.

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BANGOR – At a meeting of the school board, Thomas F. Taylor of this city was elected principal of the Union Square Grammar School.

Mr. Taylor is a graduate of Bangor High School in the class of 1900 and the University of Maine in the class of 1904. While at the latter institution, through high rank, he was awarded a scholarship which entitled him to one year’s course at Dartmouth College. When he completed his studies at the Hanover, N.H., college, he assumed the duties of principal at Norridgewock High School.

The newly elected principal comes to his position at Bangor High School with convincing recommendations from President Noyes of the U. of M., and from his instructors at Dartmouth College.

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HAMPDEN – Miss Vesta Hackett and Mr. Arthur Knowles were united in Marriage by the Rev. H.D. French in the Congregational parsonage this week. Miss Hackett is one of the most successful of the younger Hampden teachers and a graduate of Hampden Academy in 1902. Mr. Knowles is a son of Granville Knowles of Neally’s Corner.

Compiled by Ardeana Hamlin