YESTERDAY …

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(As reported in the Bangor Daily News)

10 years ago – Dec. 14, 1996

BANGOR – Bangor veteran Antoine J. Ethier’s 46-year wait for the Purple Heart he earned in the Korean War ended when U.S. Rep. John Baldacci pinned the medal to his sweater.

On Dec. 9, 1950, Ethier was struck in the left arm by a piece of shrapnel from a 60 mm mortar shell during a fierce battle in North Korea near the Chinese border.

Ethier, who had enlisted in the Army’s 7th Infantry Division in 1948, said U.S. troops were fighting to reopen a supply route that the Chinese were fighting just as hard to keep closed.

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BANGOR – A soldier knows when to lead, and when to be one of the many.

Staff Sgt. Kevin Tillman, the Army medic whose blues rendition of the National Anthem on a borrowed saxophone sparked American interest in the return of Desert Storm troops, showed he knew how to do both.

Just 24 hours after playing the anthem solo for U.S. Sen. William S. Cohen, secretary-designate of the Defense Department, the talented musician took the holiday concert audience at John Bapst Memorial High School by surprise.

The drums rolled, the audience rose and Tillman played the anthem, not alone, but as one of the John Bapst band, that group he has come to help raise funds for their trip to play in the inauguration festivities next month in Washington, D.C.

(Editor’s note: Tillman returned to Bangor in January 1997 to accompany the John Bapst band on its trip to Washington.)

25 years ago – Dec. 14, 1981

BANGOR – An avid magician since he was 8, Bruce Johnson of Bangor has realized his dream of becoming a professional magician. A recent graduate of Bangor High School, the 18-year-old graduated in November from the Chavez College of Manual Dexterity and Prestidigitation in Colon, Mich.

There are other magicians or manipulators in the Bangor area, but Johnson is possibly the youngest who is a professional.

The son of John and Mary Johnson of Howard Street, he combines humor, mystery, drama and sleight of hand in his performances. He also is known for working with white doves which he trained himself.

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ORONO – Members of the University of Maine history department have produced nine publications during the past year, according to David C. Smith, department chairman.

Authors and titles include associate professor William J. Baker, “Beyond Port and Prejudice” and “Sports in Modern America”; associate professor Richard Blanke, “Prussian Poland in the German Empire”; associate professor Jay Bregman, “Synesius of Cyrene: Philosopher-Bishop”; professor John Hakola, “A History of Baxter State Park”; professor Arthur M. Johnson, “A History of the Sun Oil Company”; associate professor Jerome Nadelhaft, “The Disorders of War: The Revolution in South Carolina”; and professor David C. Smith, “A History of the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station” and “Long Time Series in Maine Climate 1808-1978.”

50 years ago – Dec. 14, 1956

CASTINE – More than 200 midshipmen, students at the Maine Maritime Academy, together with between 50 and 60 officer-instructors and other ship’s personnel, will depart Jan. 5 for a 7,270-mile winter cruise aboard the training ship State of Maine, according to Rear Adm. W.W. Warlick, academy superintendent.

Admiral Warlick said that a cruise innovation will include dry docking the big vessel at Boston for the annual overhaul as part of the training for midshipmen.

The State of Maine will visit the U.S. Naval Station at Trinidad, call at Cartegena, Colombia, and at the U.S. Naval Station at Coco Solo, Canal Zone. Other ports of call will include Santiago, Cuba; Ponce, Puerto Rico; Miami. Fla.; and Portland.

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BANGOR – A spic and span new market, the Garland Supermarket, opened its doors at 266 Garland St.

A member of the Associated Grocers of Central Maine, the modern self-service supermarket is operated by Irving Silverberg, 38, who was stationed at Dow Air Force Base during World War II and who married the former Anna Less. Silverberg was a first lieutenant in the Medical Administrative Corps and is now a captain in the Air Force Reserve.

Silverberg has completely renovated the former Elias Supermarket and has installed all new equipment. Modern, self-service gondola-type display racks have been put into use and the store will feature a complete meat market section, fresh produce, groceries, drugs and hardware.

The former Air Force officer and Mrs. Silverberg are living at 270 Garland St. with their two children.

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BREWER – Application forms for the position of women traffic guides in Brewer are now available, announced Police Chief Ralph W. Willoughby.

At least seven women are needed for the program, he said. They will work approximately 10 hours a week for a $10 weekly salary. Uniforms will be furnished by the city.

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BANGOR – Recreation department Director Ben Campbell announced that now in the process of organization is a figure skating club under sponsorship of the city, with the group planning to meet at the new auditorium.

Campbell recalled that a figure skating club was active last year and attracted considerable attention with approximately 300 participating, but with ice conditions believed improved this year it is expected that there will be even greater interest.

Campbell said that last year’s members of the club ranged in age from 7 to 70 years, both men and women.

100 years ago – Dec. 14, 1906

BANGOR – In the Memorial Parlors, the members of the Bangor Festival chorus had the pleasure of seeing John L. Parker of the Eastern Maine Music Festival Association touch a match to the mortgage long held by the Eastern Trust and Banking Co. upon the Auditorium – and of knowing, as the document vanished in smoke, that Bangor’s “temple of music” is at last free of all debt.

The building was erected about 10 years ago at a cost of approximately $15,000, only $9,000 of which, however, was paid in cash, six public-spirited directors of the old Auditorium Association signing their names to a note for the remaining $6,000.

The festivals have never more than paid for themselves, and consequently the interest fell in arrears and the mortgage was foreclosed.

But a new Auditorium Association was organized; the Eastern Trust and Banking Company was considerate; and the proceeds from a concert given by Madame Blauvelt, and two Auditorium fairs, served to reduce the debt to $1,500, and enable the new association to secure a title to the building. Now, as a result of the third fair held this month, this last $1,500 is wiped out, the auditorium is free of debt, and there remains a total of perhaps $1,100 in the association’s treasury.

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BREWER – Miss Emmeline Adams Chaney of Medford, Mass., who has been the guest of the Misses Arey on Wilson Street, left for New York City where she will join her brother Capt. Carl Chaney of the schooner Maggie F. Hart for a trip to Puerto Rico.

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OLD TOWN – The N.E.T. & T. Co. is installing aerial cables in this city and this will necessitate the changing of many of the telephone numbers in this city. The new catalogue has just been distributed but it is very likely that a supplement also will be printed to record the change of numbers in Old Town. Some of the numbers have already changed and people who wish to telephone to the establishments where the changes have occurred will save themselves the trouble by calling for information.

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OLD TOWN – Old Town is gradually taking on a holiday appearance. The windows of the various business establishments are being gorgeously decorated with evergreen, tinsel and other illuminating objects, and the interior of the stores are not being neglected.

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EAST EDDINGTON – Ruel McKeen having leased A.F. Merrill and Co.’s sawmill will soon begin sawing laths. Fir, which has been considered nearly matchless for lumber, is to be used for the laths and those who have it are selling at a good price.

Compiled by Ardeana Hamlin