(As reported in the Bangor Daily News)

10 years ago – Nov. 23, 1996

ORONO – Last month, a group of masked and gloved researchers sorted through the household trash of more than 30 family residents. The results suggested that residents could do a better job recycling.

What the researchers found was that half of the homes randomly chosen for a waste stream analysis here did not recycle the paper, glass, plastic and metal items picked up through curbside recycling service.

Half the households did not recycle plastics. They threw away metal cans. They didn’t set aside newsprint of recyclable papers.

Many families did not compost food waste, the largest component of the community’s waste stream by weight at 29 percent of the total.

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BANGOR – B.B. King gave a state-of-the-blues address to a packed house at the Bangor Civic Center where he showed up for a concert of more than 90 minutes of steamy music. With one hand on his hip, the other snapping in the air and Lucille, his beloved guitar, strapped across his shoulder, King declared that the blues are alive and, lordy, lordy, oh so well.

At 71, King is the granddaddy of the blues scene these days, and he can still shake his tail feathers. His songs still take your heart away and leave you with a soul-satisfying case of the blues. And it all comes back to his sweet, sweet honey of a guitar, Lucille. He had Lucille XVI with him, but the show had all the freshness and excitement of a first date.

25 years ago – Nov. 23, 1981

BANGOR – Stephen King, author of horror tales, dropped in on the Cancer Society’s dinner after the Great American Smokeout to address the role horror plays in our lives.

King, a Bangor resident who just finished his first dramatic part in the motion picture “Creep Show,” which he also wrote, said life is a dance macabre full of horrors.

King said his Hollywood experience with the $8 million film was good but that acting was “boring.”

King said it is possible to wipe out cancer in our time. He said people can stop smoking, regulate their diets and their lives.

50 years ago – Nov. 23, 1956

BANGOR – Damage caused early Thursday morning by a driving wind and rain storm that disrupted street lighting and telephone service over a wide area of Eastern Maine had been largely cleared up by Thursday evening, utility and city officials said.

Phone service was the hardest hit with nearly 3,000 phones reported out of order throughout Eastern Maine by Earl L. Merriman, manager of the Bangor office of New England Telephone and Telegraph Co.

About 1,800 phones were out in Bangor alone, Merriman said, with the major disruption occuring in the Ohio and Hammond street sections when a large elm was toppled onto telephone lines by gusts of wind that reportedly hit as high as 36 miles per hour.

The Stinson Hospital on Ohio Street was reportedly without phone service throughout the morning hours.

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BANGOR – The nicest of Thanksgiving presents is now on display at the Opera House in the form of a warm, amusing and deeply moving picture called “Friendly Persuasion.” It is the story of a Quaker family living in Indiana during the Civil War, of their beliefs, their loves and the way each member reconciles their faith with the violence of the times.

Gary Cooper assumes a new type of role along with somber garb as Jess, husband of a Quaker preacher and father of one of the most likable families you could ever home to meet.

Dorothy McGuire plays Eliza, who sometimes finds her warm heart getting in the way of her stern principles.

New star Anthony Perkins makes one of the most auspicious film debuts in years as Josh, who wins his manhood the hardest way possible. He is unforgettable as Josh, riding off to war to learn the taste of killing.

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BANGOR – An article called “Christmas is a Season” by Bangor author Marion Flood French appears in the December issue of The New Century Leader, a monthly magazine.

In the article, Mrs. French suggests ways in which to spread Christmas preparations and spirit over a longer period than usual, bring the four Sundays of Advent into the observance. She suggests that the Christmas season is one in which to bring church and home closer together. She also makes suggestions on how to bring Christmas to others and how to help others get greater enjoyment out of the season.

Mrs. French, a member of the staff of the NEWS, is the author of the book, “Mr. Bear Goes to Washington.”

100 years ago – Nov. 23, 1906

BANGOR – Miss Charlotte Baldwin entertained most delightfully at her home in Cedar Street. It was one of the largest afternoon social events of the season, the spacious rooms being filled during the three hours with a fashionable gathering.

The decorations were profuse and exquisite, the parlor being beautified with roses, the sitting room with great masses of chrysanthemums, and the dining room with huge red roses relieved by sprays of evergreen. In the upper hall, Pullen’s orchestra, screened by a bank of palms, discoursed excellent music.

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CASTINE – Mr. John F. Rea went to Penobscot in the interest of the Merchant’s Insurance Co. of Bangor to gather up the deck cargo of the wrecked schooner James M. Morales and to get it ready for reshipment. The schooner was lighted of her deck load of staves and they had drifted up the bay and were picked up by different parties and held for salvage.

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WINTERPORT – Miss Laura E. Weed, a prospective bride, was much entertained by her many friends. A china and linen shower given at the home of her friend, Miss Lena Sproul, proved a delightful surprise, as also was the bridal luncheon given by Miss E.J. Treat.

At this luncheon, lavender and white was the color scheme, it being the favorite shades of the bride-elect. A feature of the occasion was the cutting of the bride’s cake, containing a ring, thimble, button and piece of money. Much laughter was occasioned by Miss Weed getting the thimble. For the bride’s favors were given tiny bouquets of lavender-tinted chrysanthemums. All were tastefully gowned in white. The wedding will occur Nov. 29.

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CASTINE – We are sorry to announce that Dr. Harriet Honner, who has won such an enviable reputation here as a practitioner of medicine, feels obliged to leave Castine on account of her health. Miss Honnor was accompanied to the boat by a large number of friends sorry to see her go from the place. It is not certain whether she will remain or return at some other time. She goes to Boston for the present.

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BUCKSPORT – The fishing vessels of Capt. T.M. Nicholson’s fleet, the Elizabeth N., Capt. Wm. H. Goodwin; and the M.B. Stetson, Capt. Allen McIsaac, cleared for the Bay of Islands after herring. They have full crews and many of them are from this port. All united in wishing them a good trip, pleasant weather, a speedy voyage and a full fare on their return with all well on board.

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BANGOR – The fair under the direction of the Ladies Aid Society, opened in the vestry of the Grace M.E. church on Union Street, drew a large attendance, and the vestry was never decorated more artistically or with more taste.

Crepe paper has been used in almost every instance to decorate the various booths, but through clever handling the effect is so good that it must be seen to be appreciated, and it reflects great credit upon the ladies who have had the decorating in charge.

On the left of the entrance are the apron, doll and mystery booths. The doll booth is probably the most attractive in the whole number and is decorated with Japanese lanterns and umbrellas.

The dining room in the basement is appropriately decorated with huge pumpkins, and jack-‘o-lanterns adorn the tables.

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BUCKSPORT – The steam launch Morning Star, the sea coast missionary boat, Capt. H.E. White, arrived in port. She had on board the Rev. A.P. MacDonald and the Rev. N. MacDonald of Bar Harbor, president of the Sea Coast Missionary Society. After calling on friends, they left in the afternoon for Little Deer Isle.

Compiled by Ardeana Hamlin