YESTERDAY …

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(As reported in the Bangor Daily News)

10 years ago – Nov. 2, 1996

BANGOR – Frozen in time, Geoff Gratwick sits, forever caught in mid-stroke, forever part of American culture.

The photo shows a boat full of collegiate rowers, their pensive coach standing proudly in the foreground. “Harvard coach Harry Parker and the world’s best crew,” the headline proclaims.

Even without the headline, it’s obvious that for a week in June 1965, Gratwick and the others who made up the engine of the potent Crimson shell were on top of the world.

Gratwick, now a Bangor rheumatologist, is the one who blocks out the “d” on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s June 28, 1965, edition.

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BANGOR – It was 100 years ago – nearly to the hour – when 600 people gathered at City Hall on a Monday night to hear the very first concert by the Bangor Symphony Orchestra. The world was still in a Victorian mood, and Bangor’s boom days were over. But life was bustling in the famed logging town that could boast an opera house, a music school, a local band and music festivals.

On Nov. 3, 15 musicians under the direction of Horace Pullen, a music director, dance teacher and popular Bangor resident, presented works by Rossini, Wagner and other composers. The concert was scheduled early in the evening so schoolchildren could attend. A great feeling of patronage came over leading people of the city as they bought tickets.

25 years ago – Nov. 2, 1981

WINTERPORT – Everyone in Winterport knew Scamp the dog, but none better than the five sons of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Nelson of Willow Street. Scamp, who belonged to Oral and Nelda Cole of Ferry Street, “adopted” the Nelson boys and followed them faithfully on their rounds delivering the Bangor Daily News for 17 years until his recent death. The Nelson men, who erected a marker on Scamp’s grave, are Gordon, 29; Jeff, 26; Rick, 23; Ron, 20; and Scott, 18.

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BUCKSPORT – International Disarmament Week ended in Hancock County with a silent vigil and petition drive in Bucksport.

Members of Maine Clergy and Laity Concerned displayed signs, played musical instruments and asked for signatures on a petition calling for Congress to initiate a program of bilateral arms reduction with the Soviet Union.

Michael Hews, a spokesman for the group, said the petition had been circulating for a number of years and haste was needed in the drive to stop the spread of nuclear weapons.

50 years ago – Nov. 2, 1956

EAST HOLDEN – After more than 25 years of continuous service, the third member of a family to serve as postmaster at East Holden retired from office.

Miss Ethel Pinkham, who became postmaster in February 1931, recalls many changes in the delivery of mail not only during her tenure, but also during the years that her father and mother served in the same capacity.

For more than 65 years, the Pinkham family has supervised mail delivery in the East Holden area dating back to the 1880s, when Miss Pinkham’s father, Rodney Pinkham, maintained a fourth class post office in his grocery store.

In 1891, when Miss Pinkham was 4 years old, her father died and shortly thereafter her mother, Mrs. Iola Pinkham, was appointed postmaster. When she became old enough, Miss Pinkham assisted her mother in the work.

She recalls that in 1924, before she became postmaster, a man broke into the store during the night, stole some merchandise and all of the mail. Taking the mail to the side of the road, he burned it.

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ORONO – Mr. and Mrs. Leroy W. Smith, 26 Pine St., who were married 50 years ago on Oct. 31, 1906, in a heavy snowstorm that delayed the ceremony more than an hour, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at an open house arranged by friends.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith were married at the home of Mrs. Smith’s parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. David Taylor, 7 Summer St. Attendants were Mrs. Walter Anderson, sister of Mrs. Smith, now of Thorold, Ontario, and the late William Severance, brother-in-law of Mr. Smith.

For the open house event, Mrs. Smith was attired in an afternoon dress of gray striped nylon and wore a corsage of yellow roses. Mrs. Anderson, who came to Orono for the occasion and assisted in receiving the guests, was attired in a light blue nylon dress and wore a corsage of yellow mums.

100 years ago – Nov. 2, 1906

BANGOR – The exhibition of the junior class was certainly worth seeing. The dumbbell drill had many difficult and intricate maneuvers, but the boys acquitted themselves nobly and the audience showed their appreciation.

Following the drill, Allen Libbey gave an exhibition of trapeze acting that has never been equaled by a boy of his age in this city. He performed daring stunts with astonishing ease while the audience watched him breathlessly, fearing that he would fall. But young Libbey knew his business and when he had finished his act, he received a well-earned round of applause.

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ORONO – Appropriate exercises in the formal dedication of the new Carnegie Library at the University of Maine were held this afternoon.

This beautiful building, costing $55,000, is an out-and-out gift from Andrew Carnegie, at the solicitation of President George Emory Fellows of the university, who secured the first $50,000 and later an additional $5,000 for furnishings, so that it is ready for use entirely from funds given by Mr. Carnegie.

The gift has no “string” or any provisions in this case. Unlike the usual conditions of Carnegie library gifts, no stipulation was made that a sum, usually 10 percent of the cost per annum, should be guaranteed for maintenance.

The building is of simple but dignified design of gray granite and built to stand for centuries. The entrance with massive and imposing granite pillars approached by wide granite steps lends character to the design, the work of Brainard and Leeds, the Boston architects.

The entrance vestibule leads to a great rotunda lighted by the dome.

The stacks have a capacity for 75,000 volumes.

The interior finish is in natural wood and weathered oak with furniture to match.

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HAMPDEN – Capt. Frank Armstrong arrived in New York this week with a load of coal from Fernandina, Fla., making a very quick trip with his new schooner, Augusta Snow. Mrs. Armstrong and children have gone to New York to remain while Capt. Armstrong is unloading and reloading.

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OLD TOWN – Snow to the depth of 5 inches fell in this city Wednesday and Thursday. The first snow storm of the year is seldom a very large one, but it is probable that in future years the opening of winter will have to be compared to that of 1906. The snow was wet and heavy and the streets were a sea of slush, making walking not only unpleasant but very hard work.

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BUCKSPORT – The snow storm that commenced Wednesday forenoon continued through the night and all day Thursday, accompanied by a strong northeast wind. The streets of the village were deserted during the day, about the only articles in demand were snow shovels and rubbers. Several sleighs were out and appeared to run easily.

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STETSON – The husking at George Downs’ Saturday night was enjoyed by all. A lot of corn was husked and stored, after which a supper was served.

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BANGOR – In the October number of The Dominant, a music magazine published in New York, appears the following allusion to the Bangor Band: “The Bangor Band had in its director, Mr. Eaton, an accomplished musician, but modest, as talent usually is. Since he has had charge of the band he has done much to raise its efficiency, and the fruition of his labors and the labors of his men, was shown at a recent concert. There was harmony and spirit in every note. From the lighter pieces up to and including the ‘Overture to Macbeth’ there was not a jarring moment. It may be said truthfully that Bangor has every reason to be proud of its band and of its bright prospects for future achievement.

Compiled by Ardeana Hamlin