YESTERDAY …

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(As reported in the Bangor Daily News)

10 years ago – April 19, 1997

BANGOR – The idea of a curfew for juveniles in the downtown area is back. City staff drafted a revised ordinance last fall after problems with teenagers hanging around seemed to increase, but the City Council tabled it in November with the intention of revisiting it in the spring.

The city already has an ordinance on a juvenile curfew, revised in 1966, but not enforced for many years. The current ordinance says that youth under 14 can’t be on the streets from 9:30 p.m. to 5 a.m. without a parent or guardian.

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BANGOR – The rain was pelting the dark swirling water. There was a raw chill in the air.

Yet canoeists by the dozens were either putting their boats in the water to get a first-hand feel for Six-Mile Falls or making mental notes while observing others negotiating the tricky rapids.

It was the 31st Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race, 16 miles of exhausting paddling that traditionally attracts more than 500 craft and 1,000 people.

A couple of months ago, Chris Wheeler, David Evans and Aaron Ferraro, 1994 University of Maine graduates hanging out in the Gas Light Bar in Portsmouth, N.H., decided to return to the Kenduskeag race with friend Rick Mohr.

“It’s a good time and we wanted to relive old times,” said Wheeler.

“I like the camaraderie among the canoeists,” said Ferraro while sizing up Six Mile Falls.

25 years ago – April 19, 1982

ORONO – Elizabeth Jordan Carr, the 5-pound, 12-ounce baby who gained national recognition last December when she became the first test-tube baby conceived in the United States, was christened in her mother’s hometown on April 17, her mother’s birthday.

Her parents, Judith and Roger Carr, traveled from their home in Westminster, Mass., for the baptism at the Church of Universal Fellowship in Orono, the same church in which they exchanged vows on June 9, 1973. Dr. Douglas V. Young officiated at the baptism.

Mrs. Carr is the daughter of Mrs. Dorothy Dalton of Chapel Road and the late Dr. Frank Dalton.

Mrs. Dalton, an instructor in the School of Human Development at the University of Maine, introduced her dimpled granddaughter to neighbors, friends and colleagues at an open house at her home.

Elizabeth was born Dec. 28, 1981. She now weighs more than 12 pounds.

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CASTINE – Capt. William F. Brennan, commandant of midshipmen at Maine Maritime Academy for the past 16 years, will retire and be replaced by newly appointed Capt. Steven H. Edwards, U.S. Navy.

Captain Brennan, a graduate of the academy class of 1943, is a veteran of 23 years service and is a former naval aviator.

At Maine Maritime Academy’s 39th commencement exercises Saturday, he received the 1982 American Legion Award, given each year to the individual whose achievements in the promotion and development of Maine Maritime Academy are exemplary.

Captain Edwards, whose appointment was approved by the MMA board of trustees, is on duty in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower, Reserve Affairs and Logistics, as an operations research and systems analyst in the manpower management directorate. He will retire from that position after 24 years of active service. He has had extensive experience as a surface warfare officer in destroyers and guided-missile destroyers.

50 years ago – April 19, 1957

LUCERNE – The Log Lodge, Lucerne-in-Maine’s nationally known hotel, was destroyed by a spectacular fire that menaced several other structures.

It cost $200,000 to build in 1926, but stamps affixed to legal papers in a recent real estate transaction indicated that it brought only about $23,000 when sold to a Lawrence, Mass., man.

The structure, its exterior constructed entirely of logs, contained 75 rooms, 50 of them used for rental purposes, a cocktail lounge, a dining room, a dance hall, a spacious lobby and a massive kitchen.

It was 300 feet long and at the time of construction was widely publicized as the largest building of its type in the United States.

Fire departments from Lucerne, Holden, Eddington, Ellsworth, Bucksport and Blue Hill, and numerous volunteers saved several nearby summer homes and several other buildings including a large barn.

Mr. and Mrs. Edward DeWitt of Ellsworth were the first to report the fire to the manager of the nearby Lucerne Inn, Robert E. Farrow, who gave the alarm.

Sighting the blaze at almost the same time were Miss Marjorie Pinkham of East Holden and Miss Polly McTague of Dedham, who also notified Mr. Farrow.

Lucerne Inn is diagonally across Route 1A from the Log Lodge, but this ornate building was far enough away so that it was not threatened.

Original regulations called for all summer homes on the Lucerne property to be built of logs, miniature copies of the Log Lodge itself.

The lodge actually was the center attraction for a settlement intended to bear more than a casual resemblance to Lucerne, a famous resort in Switzerland.

100 years ago – April 19, 1907

CASTINE – W.H. Hooper is stirring things here this spring. The fish market at the foot of Main Street is being moved. Mr. Charles Bevan and crew have the matter in hand.

The large building on Acadia wharf is undergoing a thorough overhaul. A new waiting room and office is being made by a large crew of men from adjoining towns. Perkins and Bowden are in charge.

Among the crew are prominent carpenters such as Thomas Gray, and Harry and Clarence Austin of Cape Rosier, Herman Tapley and Ivan Varnum of West Brooksville, and George Weeks of Castine. Already logs are at hand for the extension of the wharf and the whole situation is to be greatly improved.

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CASTINE – Master ship-builder W.S. Webster has secured a position for a time in the L.A. Coombs or Roller Brushing Co.’s mill. Mr. Webster has built some of the best motor boats in this section.

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SOUTH BREWER – A leak was discovered in the main water pipe at the corner of Mill and Elm streets Thursday morning. Mr. Sparks was notified and he was soon at the scene of the catastrophe with a crew of men. The leak was soon repaired, much to the happiness of the surrounding people.

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BUCKSPORT – W.H. Russel of Bucksport Center had quite a thrilling experience Wednesday evening. It was quite dark and in looking out the window, he discovered a light in the yard.

Going to the door, he sang out, Hello! He received no answer but saw a carriage trying to get away without being seen. He started to investigate, his mind full of horse thieves, when from the darkness on all sides, he saw forms closing in on him.

Standing breathless, waiting for what might come, and with a sigh of relief, it dawned on him that he was the victim of a surprise party. He invited them in, but he was rather dazed for an hour or so. Finally he came to and a very pleasant evening was passed playing whist.

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BUCKSPORT – The steamer Lottie and May which has been in winter quarters the past few months had gone into commission for the season, and Capt. George Lowell already has commenced to tow schooners.

Compiled by Ardeana Hamlin

PICTURE FROM THE PAST

In April 1962, area Senior Girl Scouts built a birch bark canoe they took with them to the Senior Girl Scout Roundup at Lake Champlain in Vermont and unveiled it at the event for 15,000 girls. The canoe’s white cedar ribs were steamed and shaped on a 16-foot mold loaned by Old Town Canoe Co. The Girl Scouts did extensive research to learn how to apply birch bark to the frame. Admiring their handiwork are (from left) Carolyn Hanson, Carol Utterback and Elaine Roberts. (Bangor Daily News File Photo by Danny Maher) (Picture from the Past sponsored by Movie America)