(As reported in the Bangor Daily News)

10 years ago – March 13, 1998

BANGOR – The school day was over, but in room after room at Bangor High School, students sat at desks and bowed their heads over rectangles of paper, the better to commune with numbers and angles and symbols staring back.

As they so often have, the 10 students on Bangor’s Red Team worked quickly and efficiently, racking up 225 points to win the final regional meet in the Eastern Maine Math League – and take the state championship for the third year in a row.

Bangor High’s Lewis Kotredes was the top scorer overall in the meet with 43 points out of a possible 60, followed by David Raczek of John Bapst Memorial High School with 39.

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RALEIGH, N.C. – Cindy Blodgett continues to reap the benefits of a stellar career at the University of Maine.

The 5-foot-9 senior guard from Clinton, who Monday was named a third-team All-American by The Associated Press, will be busy on the weekend of the men’s and women’s Final Four.

Blodgett, who has been selected to compete in the Honda senior all-star game at the women’s Final Four in Kansas City, also has been chosen to compete in the Infotec 3-point shooting competition at the men’s Final Four in San Antonio.

25 years ago – March 13, 1983

HAMPDEN – Sports canoeists are becoming increasingly alarmed with the low level of streams and lakes statewide. With the lack of snow this winter, spring runoff will not be enough to provide enough water for the sport, according to Dr. John Frachella of Hudson.

With the warm weather and the possibility of low water next month, Frachella wants to get in as much canoeing as he can. Recently, Frachella, along with Russ Wagner of Orrington, and Kent Tableman of Bangor, made a practice run on the Soudabscook Stream in Hampden.

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WINTERPORT – Their grandfathers and fathers had done it before them. They had been shown how it was done by those who knew.

Years ago, it wasn’t uncommon to see hundreds of people on the Penobscot River waiting for smelts. Today, cousins Roger and Andy Johnson may be the only commercial smelters in the nation.

During the past four months, the tides of the Penobscot River have ruled the hour of the day when the two Winterport men roll out of bed. It is essential that they catch the tide just right when setting the nets and hauling in the catch.

50 years ago – March 13, 1958

BANGOR – The price of fuel oils for home heating dropped by a half-cent in Maine this week. Donald T. McGovern, executive secretary of the Maine Oil & Heating Equipment Dealers Assn., said the prices are now the lowest in three to four years.

He said the new Portland area price for No. 2 oil used in furnaces is 14.4 cents and for No. 1, or range oil, 15.7 cents.

The cost of No. 2 oil is 14.6 cents at Bangor, where water transportation is available.

McGovern attributed the price cuts to a heavy supply coupled with milder weather.

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BREWER – Snow plowing and removal so far this year have cost Brewer taxpayers a total of $15,245.52. according to figures compiled by City Manager Donald J. Waring.

During the same period in 1957, he said, the cost was $14,292.11.

The month of February accounted for more than half the entire winter’s cost, he said, as eight snowstorms brought an accumulation of 22 inches of snow. The year’s total to date is 47 inches of snow resulting from 13 separate storms.

February’s costs amounted to $9,249.45. This figure, Waring said, includes $3,635.91 for sand and salt, $238.80 for equipment and supplies and $5374.71 in payrolls. In 1957, a relatively mild February resulted in a total cost of $3,555.74.

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BANGOR – The hats milady will be wearing this spring were much in the fore at the Bangor Woman’s Club luncheon at Pilots Grill when a Fashion in Hats style show was presented.

Pill boxes, upsweeps, off-the-face and shell-shaped models and ripple-brim sailors predominated. The favorite colors are pastels such as citrus orange, lemon yellow, lime, sentimental pink and the ever popular blue. Brown is being used considerably as a trim. The hats shown were designed by Schiaparelli, Petti Purl, Bretton Milton, Helen Joyce, Perle Visca and Eddie, all designers well-known in the hat fashion field.

Mrs. John Shannon of Freese’s Hat Shop served as consultant for the fashion show.

Models were Mrs. Lorraine Harriman, Mrs. Angie Bean, Mrs. Kalil Ayoob and Mrs. Annie Blake. Mrs. Cecil Farrar was the commentator throughout the show.

Mrs. Augusta Jenkins played incidental music and included in her selections was the timely “Easter Parade.”

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BANGOR – The rainbow exploded before the eyes of 1,200 enraptured kiddies and adults attending the opening night showing of the Ice Capades at Bangor Auditorium.

The ice show’s 17th edition, a prismatic galaxy of costuming, lighting and talented skating, was unmatched by previous performances in this town.

The “Rhapsody in Blue” segment of the show was probably one of the most beautiful sights ever seen on ice as most of the company’s troupe of 125 cut near-perfect figures while basking in spotlights of red, orange and blue.

Retaining the blue theme throughout the number, its stars, Konrad, Miss Aja Zanova and Johnny Lettengarver, spinning and waltzing with their cast in intricate formations, made that production alone worth the price of admission.

The Bangor Junior Chamber of Commerce, sponsors of the show here, reported a $20,000 advance sale for the six-day showing.

100 years ago – March 13, 1908

ORRINGTON – Monday evening a very pleasant social hour was tendered at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hersey Smith in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sissman, it being the eve of their departure for Montana, where they are to make their future home.

Phonograph music by Mr. Arthur Hoyt was attentively listened to, after which delectable refreshments were generously served.

Mrs. Lizzie Severance made a presentation of a set of silver spoons from the Willing Workers to Mr. and Mrs. Sissman, of which circle Mrs. Sissman was an esteemed member.

Good byes and good wishes were extended to Mr. and Mrs. Sissman, and Master Arthur, when all, with a sadness at the parting, went to their several homes.

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PROSPECT – A crew of stonecutters were put to work at Mount Waldo on Monday. All are glad to see the work start so soon.

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EDDINGTON – Capt. Edwin Ulmer and brother Mel are expecting to leave for Boston soon to take charge of their vessel which has been in winter quarters there. They will make repairs and get ready for their summer work between Bangor and Boston.

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ORLAND – A very pretty wedding took place at the home of Mrs. Mary J. Mink in Orland this week when Miss Georgia Anabell Watson of Bucksport and William Mack of Boston were united in marriage by the Rev. William Forsyth.

Albert Buck played the wedding march.

The bride was dressed in white silk and carried roses. The bridesmaid wore white muslin trimmed with lace.

The bride was given away by her father, Jeremiah Mink.

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BREWER – Already the motor boat enthusiasts are viewing the river with a wistful and speculating gaze, yearning for the passing of the ice and the chuff of the gasoline engine astern. The Mosquito fleet will be much augmented this year. There are plans for summer cottages along the river and if the reality comes as early as the indication of spring, everybody will be satisfied.

Compiled by Ardeana Hamlin