(As reported in the Bangor Daily News)

10 years ago – Aug. 31, 1996

BANGOR – It was football without blankets. Or umbrellas. Or sweaters over turtlenecks under winter jackets.

It was Friday night football under the lights. With cheerleaders in skirts instead of warm-up suits and mittens. It was a high school game before many students have attended classes.

Still, it was Crimson against Orange. Bangor against Brewer. Cross-river rivals kicking off a high school season they used to cap with epic struggles for a massive trophy that nobody knows the name of anymore. Cameron Stadium under lights.

Sadly, it was an exhibition. The real season starts next week.

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BANGOR – It took about a quarter and a half of game action for the Bangor Rams to get their offense revved up, but once they did, the Rams turned the second quarter into a drag race, leaving the Brewer Witches in the dust.

Bangor torched the Witches 46-8 in the 97th meeting between the longtime Twin City rivals.

The Rams got the first big break of the game in the second quarter when nose guard Jeremy Collins stepped in front of a pitch by Brewer quarterback Jeff Conlon and snatched it away at the Brewer 43.

25 years ago – Aug. 31, 1981

DIXMONT – Cam Peterson, the largest producer of goat cheese in the state, thinks goats are unjustly maligned. Her herd of 19 Toggenburg goats are fastidious eaters, never touching soiled hay or grain, and even refusing water sullied by their own saliva.

Peterson’s dairy, Moosetrack, is a neat and organized affair unrelated to the comical goat tethered on a front lawn.

The “Toggs” have all been de-horned and are shaved for cleanliness. Peterson, who is seen by the goats as a dominant doe, shepherds them on a two-hour daily walk through the woods so the goats may browse.

After their walk, the herd returns to an electric-wired paddock connected to a free-stall barn. There are individual kidding pens, but the goats are free to go in and out together.

The milk rook gleams with stainless steel, linoleum and a portable television set. “I watch a talk show as I stir my cheese,” said Peterson with a laugh.

Each year, 1,000 pounds of cheese are produced at Moosetrack. Chesier cheese, similar to cheddar but a little dryer, is aged one year in the cellar of the Peterson’s new home. Feta, crumbly cheese used on Greek salads, is pickled in brine.

50 years ago – Aug. 31, 1956

BANGOR – It took the classes of 1898 and 1899 of Bangor High School more than 57 years to hold a class reunion, but they finally made it.

These two classes held a reunion banquet at the Bangor House and spent an evening replete with stories of the past and, definitely, accounts of plans for the future.

Mrs. Judith Dugan Cyr, Class of 1899, of Great Neck, Long Island, N.Y., was the toastmistress. Mrs. Cyr and Mrs. Jessie Hammond Ingraham of Bangor were co-chairwomen of the reunion.

The combined membership of the two classes at graduation was approximately 100, and, more than a half-century later, one-fifth of that number showed up at the reunion.

The banquet table was centered with a beautiful arrangement of snapdragons, carnations and roses, a gift sent in memory of the late Mrs. J. Frank Maloney (Mary M. Freeman) of the Class of 1899 by her daughters in Alexandria, Va. Pink tapers in crystal holders lighted the table.

Guests of the group were Wade Brackett, Mrs. Charles Cameron and Charles Newell, all of Bangor, all of whom are married to members of the reunited classes.

100 years ago – Aug. 31, 1906

BANGOR – Several thousand people were on the fairgrounds Thursday night. The orchestra in the auditorium entertained the crowd for an hour and later on the grounds. The Bangor Band also gave some good numbers.

The Midway was very lively and the attractions liberally patronized. The Alabama Troubadours attracted much applause and many of the selections were repeatedly encored.

Wormwood’s Monkey Theatre again repeated its success. The fireworks started at an early hour and the beautiful display of set pieces, bombs, rockets, etc., were greatly appreciated.

Chester W. Robbins of Old Town had a new exhibit of 1907 art calendars at the auditorium which attracted much attention.

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BANGOR – Bonnette, who contributes the particular thrilling feature of the fair, made his little round trip to the clouds Thursday afternoon and created something of a sensation up in Ward 3 when he came down ker-plunk upon the roof of Sam Kelley’s house at Third and Warren streets.

A stiff breeze was blowing from the south when the balloon was sent up and it sailed somewhat farther from the grounds than usual. Bonnette soared high among the clouds and was almost out of sight when he dropped and landed on Kelley’s house amid great excitement in the neighborhood. He slid from the roof to the ell and down to the ground with smiling apologies for the intrusion.

Meanwhile, the collapsed balloon came down in Roy Simpson’s yard on Sanford Street and was at once surrounded by a group of excited youngsters who were further entertained by the antics of Expressman Hickson’s horse. The steed got one look at the balloon and couldn’t be coaxed or driven anywhere near it.

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BUCKSPORT – A very pleasant gathering was held with Fred H. Orcutt and family of Council Bluffs, Iowa, who have been spending time here with friends. Mr. Orcutt was a former resident of Bucksport and a descendant of Col. Sewell Lake, who was landlord of the Robinson House 1826-1832.

As there are quite a number of the Colonel’s descendants in town, Mr. Orcutt was desirous of meeting them all and extended an invitation to them to partake with him one of Landlord Wardwell’s banquets at the old place where the Colonel presided so many years ago.

Beside each plate was a souvenir letter containing eight views of Bucksport, including a view of the Robinson House.

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ORONO – An exceedingly pretty wedding took place at high noon at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Sutton on Bennoch Street when his sister Frances Abbott Sutton of Orono was united in marriage with Alton Everett Richardson of Fairfield.

The bridal party entered the parlors attended by Arra Sutton and Harry Sutton, a niece and nephew of the bride. The bride was given away by her brother Charles Sutton. The Rev. P.J. Robinson of Presque Isle, formerly pastor of the Congregational Church in Orono, performed the ceremony in the presence of a large number of relatives of both families, the impressive double ring service being used.

The bride was charmingly gowned in white wool chiffon over taffeta and carried a shower bouquet of white sweet peas. The bridesmaid wore a dainty gown of white muslin.

The Sutton home was artistically decorated, the color scheme being pink and white in the dining room and reception hall, the parlors green, white and lavender, one side of the room being formed into an arch under which the ceremony took place.

After the ceremony a delicious breakfast was served in the dining room after which the usual rice and confetti were showered on the happy couple, who took a carriage to Bangor where they departed for an unknown destination.

Mr. and Mrs. Richardson were the recipients of beautiful gifts of cut glass, china and bric-a-brac. They will reside in Fairfield where a beautiful home has been made ready for them.

Compiled by Ardeana Hamlin