Yesterday…

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10 years ago – Aug. 16, 1997

(As reported in the Bangor Daily News)

BANGOR – Sam and Max like to watch videos, swim and do puzzles. Like typical 4-year-olds, the twins are full of energy and affection. Unlike most 4-year-olds, however, they don’t talk or play with other children.

Sam and Max are autistic. Last year their parents found the perfect place for their blond boys. Four days a week the boys spend the afternoon in a special preschool, the Bridges program, in Bangor for children with autism and developmental delays. The program, the only one if its kind in eastern Maine, is run by United Cerebral Palsy of Northeastern Maine in a brick building on Texas Avenue.

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BREWER – To begin with a bang is a good way to begin. And that’s the perfect description of the opening night performance of “The Roar of the Grease Paint, The Smell of the Crowd,” the first show of Theatre Productions Unlimited of Maine on Wilson Street.

There was no particular fanfare for the arrival of this new kid on the theater block. In fact, only about 30 people showed up at the venue, which is small, dark, wonderfully funky and seats about 50.

The musical, directed by the theater’s president, Susan McGinley, came on strong and loud with talent and spunk.

25 years ago – Aug. 16, 1982

HAMPDEN – With fine summer weather highlighting the fourth annual Children’s Day, organizers were calling it more of a success than anyone expected.

Some 1,500 town residents had passed through the field events, game area and entertainment section at the Veterans of Foreign Wars field by mid-afternoon.

Saturday’s program cost about $1,700. The Hampden VFW was a leading contributor. Firefighters Raymond Lord and Ed Murphy, Public Safety Employees Association president Russell Ritchie, patrolman Charles Shaw and firefighter Russell LaFlamme were among the organizers of Children’s Day.

50 years ago – Aug. 16, 1957

BANGOR – The triplet girls of Staff Sgt. and Mrs. Joe McDonald of 545 Broadway are riding in style these days with their new triplet carriage for which a Bangor firm sent all the way to California.

The triplets will be nine months old on Aug. 22. Their names are Corinne Adelle, Colleen Josephine and Charlotte Marie.

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CARMEL – A mama and papa skunk, parents of six, have been reported missing to the Penobscot County Sheriff’s office from their chicken coop home on the premises of Guy K. Wakefield in Carmel.

The disappearance, which is under investigation by deputy sheriff Ross Hammons, was discovered when one of the Wakefield family noticed a window and screening torn from the chicken coop.

Hammons reported that Wakefield raises skunks as a hobby and described the missing parents as breeders having a pedigree in the skunk kingdom. Wakefield has offered a $25 reward for the return of the pair, Hammons said. He reported that the skunks have a short white streak on their bodies, located just between the eyes and they walk with their tails elevated.

The male skunk is un-descented, according to Hammons, while the female is without protections.

Hammons said the theft appeared to be the work of youngsters. He has nothing more than the description on which to base his investigation.

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BREWER – “We’ve seen the electric cars come and go, and submarines and the airplane come,” said Mrs. and Mrs. Frank Kinsman of 68 Elm St. when they were reminiscing at open house on their 50th wedding anniversary. They were married Aug. 15, 1907, in Darnley, Prince Edward Island, Canada.

Elaborating on the great strides made in transportation in the last 50 years, Mr. Kinsman pointed out that at one time it was impossible to get to Bangor from any distance until May. He also remembers when it took two days to go to Boston by car.

At 74 years of age, Mrs. Kinsman does all her own housework and is active in church work. Mr. Kinsman, also 74, retired three years ago form the Packard Motor Co. in Bangor.

Mr. and Mrs. Kinsman have many tastes in common, including gardening, reading and music. “Lawrence Welk” is their favorite television program, with quiz programs and western plays running a close second. Their radio preferences are the news and the “Telephone Hour.” Mrs. Kinsman collects figurines.

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BANGOR – Dr. Edward J. Hughes Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Hughes Sr., of 106 Webster Ave., has passed the Maine State Board medical examinations.

Dr. Hughes graduated from John Bapst High School in 1948 and from Holy Cross College in 1952. He received a medical degree from Ottawa Medical School in 1956.

Dr. Hughes completed an internship at the Eastern Maine General Hospital July 1 and is now a resident physician at the hospital. He will leave on Sept. 1 to serve with the U.S. Air Force and has been assigned to Scott AFB in Illinois.

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BANGOR – Eight 1,000-watt underwater floodlights have been distributed throughout Penobscot County by the sheriff’s office in the past month, Sheriff Arthur W. Chandler announced.

The lights and 250 feet of extension cord have been left at the following towns and city fire departments that have portable generators: Millinocket, Lincoln, Dexter, Old Town, Newport, Orono, Patten and Bangor.

Brewer, the sheriff explained, has one of the floodlights as part of the civilian defense rescue truck equipment which is stationed in that city.

Chandler reported that the lights can be used only underwater and are available to all surrounding areas.

100 years ago – Aug. 16, 1907

HAMPDEN – The lawn party which was to have been on the grounds of the Methodist church last week, owing to stormy weather was held in the church vestry. A short entertainment was given consisting of music, recitations, etc. Ice cream and cake were on sale and nearly $15 was realized.

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BUCKSPORT – Mr. and Mrs. Oscar L. Olsen of Bangor were in town calling on friends. Mrs. Olsen is the stenographer in the counting room of the Bangor Daily News and is very popular with all who have business with the office.

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BUCKSPORT – The Guy Richardson saw mill is shut down for repairs and improvements. He is having an extension of 16 feet built onto the mill. This will give him space for another stave machine. He has erected a new smokestack, 48 feet high, the weight of which is 3,400 pounds. This was put in position under the supervision of Capt. Noah Lord.

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WEST WINTERPORT – Dr. and Mrs. Darling of Winterport village called on friends here. They were driving their pair of ponies, Punch and Judy.

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BANGOR – Byron Roberts, a carpenter residing at 58 Division St., fell from a staging in one of the unfinished rooms of the Graham Building. He had a cut on his head, injuries to his right hand and back and fractured collarbone. A carriage was called and he was taken home, perfectly conscious.

Mr. Roberts is an official of the Bangor Festival chorus and has a wide circle of friends who hope that he will be not long confined to his house.

Compiled by Ardeana Hamlin