YESTERDAY …

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(As reported in the Bangor Daily News)

10 years ago – June 14, 1997

BANGOR – James Vickery, a man who possessed a treasure-trove of local history in his book collection and in his head, died after a brief illness.

Vickery’s passing marks the end of an era in Bangor, according to his friends and associates. A sixth-generation descendant of pioneers who settled eastern Maine, Vickery maintained a huge collection of antique books, photographs, pamphlets and other memorabilia, and had donated 3,000 books to the University of Maine.

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BANGOR – Rabbi Henry Isaacs has lived a “double life” for the 36 years he has served Beth Abraham, the only Orthodox synagogue north of Portland. The number 18 symbolizes life in Judaism, so last month the rabbi’s congregants honored his “double life” here.

Isaacs did not intend to spend his career so far from New York City, where he was born and raised. But after his ordination and marriage in 1958, the U.S. Air Force sent him to Loring Air Force Base in Limestone, where he served as chaplain. His military service just happened to be ending when Beth Abraham needed a new rabbi.

25 years ago – June 14, 1982

BANGOR – Timothy Cox, 13, of Bangor was given a citizenship award by Arthur Cone, president of the Bangor Kiwanis Club, in recognition of his heroic actions in saving the lives of his brother, Shawn, 10, and sister Tracy, 3, from a fire in the family’s home.

Early in the morning of April 6, Timothy discovered the second floor of his Boynton Street home was full of smoke. He helped his brother out a second-story window onto the roof of the front porch, then returned to find his sister.

He took her out the same way. He lowered his brother from the roof with instructions to awaken a neighbor to call the fire department. He lowered his sister into the arms of a neighbor and then clambered down from the porch roof. The house was destroyed by the fire.

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BANGOR – University of Maine baseball coach John Winkin is a competitor. And a fierce one at that. He hates to lose.

That is why disappointment was included among his various emotions as he and his team flew home to a nice reception at Bangor International Airport.

They returned home as the nation’s No. 3 team with wins of over California State-Fullerton and Stanford, sandwiched by a pair of losses to national champion Miami.

50 years ago – June 14, 1957

WINTERPORT – Miss Frances Crossman, 18, daughter of Mrs. Leah Crossman of Winterport, is one of two girls in the state chosen to attend the CAP All Girl Encampment at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.

Miss Crossman is a graduate of this year’s class at Winterport High School. She joined the Civil Air Patrol on Nov. 15, 1955, and was promoted to first sergeant in June 1956.

Miss Crossman will leave for Lackland from Dow Air Force Base. She will fly to Portland where she will meet with Miss Donna L. Bridges of Springvale, the other cadet chosen for the encampment. They will travel aboard military planes.

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HAMPDEN – Open House will be held at the new Hampden Recreation Area near Temple Mills on the Mill Road.

All resident families are welcome to come out to the area and see what has been done.

Many residents have volunteered their labor the past two weeks in preparing for the opening.

Allen L. Rooks and Edward Hughes have given use of their power equipment in clearing the pool and roads, and throwing up the dam.

The bathhouses, office, concession booth, picnic area and baseball diamond, and sanding of the beach are not yet completed.

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BANGOR – The dust is flying out at the Bangor swimming pool in Dakin Park as workmen get ready to resurface the parking lot in time for the grand opening of the season scheduled for next week.

The pool, which proved so popular last year, will be under the direction of Harvey Leavitt and he will be assisted by these swimming instructors: Mary Ellen Crook, Ann Gerry, Kenneth Goodman and Peter Anderson. Life guards will be Ann Kimball and Ray Curran. Jean McHale will be the checker and cashier.

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BANGOR – Mrs. Carlos J. Cochrane, whose husband had been commander of the 4060th Air Refueling Wing, was honored at a farewell tea at the Dow AFB officer’s club.

Colonel Cochrane is leaving for a top secret assignment with the Joint Chiefs of Staff overseas and Mrs. Cochrane and son Radcliffe will make their home in Denver during his tour of duty. Son Carlos J. Cochrane III is entering the Air Force Academy in May.

The Officers’ Wives Club presented Mrs. Cochrane with an heirloom bedspread and a covered cranberry glass candy dish.

Blue Shasta daisies, yellow roses and baby’s breath formed the centerpiece of the beautifully appointed tea table. More than 80 were present for the affair.

100 years ago – June 14, 1907

OLD TOWN – It was officially announced that Dr. E.L. Richardson of this city has been appointed a deputy sheriff by Sheriff L.W. Gilman of Bangor. Dr. Richardson has long been a persistent enemy of the sale of intoxicating liquors and he will, according to his own words, make it warm for the dealers in “red eye.”

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BANGOR – Many people went to the banquet room at City Hall to inspect the exhibition of handwork of pupils of the primary, intermediate and grammar grades of the Bangor public schools. The handwork includes drawing, sewing and primary manual training.

Miss Mabel L. Dealing, instructress in drawing, and Miss Kate Weber, instructress in domestic science, are on hand to conduct visitors around and explain the display.

A number of drawings of battleships, done by Albert Robinson, are attracting much attention, including a creditable drawing of the sinking of the Maine by Albert Robinson and Clark Robinson.

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HAMPDEN – Riverside Park will open June 23 and preparations predict that this year will be the most successful ever at the pleasure resort of the Bangor Railway and Electric Co. The park theater has been repaired, new attractions added and the car service will be OK.

A merry-go-round will be installed in the park and in the pavilion, a Penny Arcade will draw patrons galore. New seats have been placed in the theater and the stage has been housed in a manner making it suitable for performances in any kind of weather. A huge new canvas top has been placed over the auditorium.

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EAST ORRINGTON – The school children have had their pictures taken in a group with the teacher, about 20 sitting in front of the schoolhouse.

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OLD TOWN – O.B. Fernandez has leased the lot on the corner of Center and Main streets for the Fourth of July. Here he intends to erect a platform where a continuous dance will be held on the day of the celebration. Mr. Fernandez is working hard to perfect his plans for the great event. He is confident that he will leave no stone unturned in making this the greatest celebration that has ever been held in Old Town.

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BUCKSPORT – The Spofford Grammar School closed for the summer vacation after a successful spring term with Miss Nellie Keene and Miss Nellie Swazey as teachers.

Compiled by Ardeana Hamlin