(As reported in the Bangor Daily News)

10 years ago – Dec. 13, 1997

BANGOR – It’s the home stretch for the expanded, renovated Bangor Public Library. The library’s temporary location at the old Marden’s building will be closed and when the facility reopens, it will be “back home” on Harlow Street.

The additional space is wonderful, said librarian Barbara McDade, but patrons will not lose the library they have loved for so many years.

Walking through the main entrance and up over the marble stairs, McDade points out the circulation desk made of oak – still in its usual location. The oak trim around the various rooms is still in place, as well.

.

BANGOR – Did you accidentally mail out a Christmas card to an outdated address? Don’t feel bad, Bill and Hillary Clinton did the same thing, sending this year’s White House Christmas card to: Hon. (Sec.) Bill Cohen, Bangor City Council, City Hall, 73 Harlow St., Bangor ME 04401-5118.

Certainly William S. Cohen did receive mail at that address when he was a city councilor and mayor back in the early 1970s. Since then he’s had another address as a congressman from Maine’s 2nd District, another as Maine’s senator, and now another at the Pentagon, no less, in his capacity as secretary of defense.

25 years ago – Dec. 13, 1982

BANGOR – More than 70 people applied for a municipal purchasing job in Bangor, according to John Flynn, city manager.

The job, which will include administrative duties as well as purchasing responsibilities, will pay about $18,000 a year.

Flynn has reviewed the applications and will contact six people to be interviewed. He is looking for someone with experience in purchasing and with some background in general administration.

Leroy Donnelly, the previous director of purchasing, retired in October after 15 years with the city.

50 years ago – Dec. 13, 1957

CARMEL – A team without a home – that’s this year’s Carmel Bobcats.

With six lettermen returning from last season’s tournament game, the Bobcats have been forced to book all their games away this season, playing all their home games on opponents’ courts. The Carmel town hall was not considered suitable for league competition this season, thus bringing the decision to play all games away.

The Bobcats use the small town hall surface for practice purposes, but must play all their games on bigger courts. Other clubs in the loop are Hampden, Hartland, Hermon, East Corinth, Corinna and Newport. At least three of these schools recently have constructed regulation playing surfaces.

Back in contention for a trip to the big February tourney are Reggie Strout, Bill Mahon, Bob Erskine, Roger Reed, Parker Argent and Ron Jarvis. Others in the 13-man squad are Paul Hansen, Harvard Howes, Paul Lavway, Buster Lord, Richard Waning, Paul Peters and Visto Jellerson.

.

ORONO – A photographic history of American architecture is on display at the University of Maine.

The exhibition was arranged under the direction of professor Vincent A. Hartgen, head of the university’s art department.

Prepared by Life magazine, the exhibition, “Houses of the U.S.A., 1607-1946,” is touring the United States under the auspices of the American Federation of Arts.

.

ORONO – The teaching of foreign languages is taking on a new look at the University of Maine.

In the past, the emphasis has been placed primarily on the ability to read a foreign language, or translation work.

Now the emphasis is being shifted to what Dr. Wilmarth Starr, head of the university’s foreign language and classics department, terms as “speaking-understanding.”

“The war put emphasis on the need for direct communication. People learned that it was not enough to be able to read a foreign language – they had to speak it as well,” said Professor Starr.

100 years ago – Dec. 13, 1907

DEDHAM – Everett Black and Arthur Smart, who have been on a hunting trip to Island Falls, returned home with two deer.

.

ORRINGTON – B.N. Bolton is about to open a grocery store at the Corner. He also will keep notions and some dry goods.

.

BANGOR – One of the prettiest window decorations in the city and the best in the history of the store is being admired by the public at Benson and Miller’s on Main Street.

A representation of a fireplace is shown and so accurate that the viewer can easily imagine that he is at home. The window is used for exhibiting goods that are daily finding favor with purchasers of holiday gifts.

Suggestions for gifts are neck scarves, embroidered hose, belts, kimono material, fancy baskets and most important, Theodore Bears or, if you will, Teddy Bruins.

.

BUCKSPORT – The electric light plant was out of commission on account of the brickwork around the boilers having given out. Kerosene lamps and candles were in demand and people resorted to any old thing to light up with.

The fishing schooner T.M. Nicholson, Capt. James McShara, cleared for the Bay of Islands after a cargo of frozen herring.

.

ORONO – The diver Samuel D. Crocker of Old Town, who made an inspection recently of the Orono bridge piers, found the same in good order.

.

NORTH PENOBSCOT – The Misses Christian and Byrd Hatch, who teach in Albion, returned to their schools after spending the vacation with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Hatch.

.

BANGOR – The schooner C.B. Clark arrived in port and probably will be the last craft to be loaded in the port of Bangor this season. She came into Fort Point cove and was promptly towed upriver.

The Irene E. Meservey for New York and the Nat Ayer, Vinalhaven, here for orders at the Eastern Manufacturing Co. are ready to sail today.

The schooner Marion N. Cobb arrived in Fort Point cove from Rockland for Frankfort to load stone.

Compiled by Ardeana Hamlin