(As reported in the Bangor Daily News)

10 years ago – Feb. 28, 1998

BANGOR – Proposals for the addition to the Bangor Mall that will house Filene’s show that the expansion will be a two-story building, so that it will not take up so much ground space.

The original plan, approved in May 1997, called for a one-story addition of 170,000 square feet – 70 percent of that dedicated to a Filene’s department store, and the rest set aside for more small shops.

The department store plans now include two stories, with access by both escalator and elevator.

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ORONO – After the Orono girls basketball team rolled over Greely of Cumberland Center 51-42 for its second Class B girls state championship in three years, the Red Riots took a jubilant roll on the floor of the Bangor Gymnasium.

The Riots finished a group hug, cut down the nets and walked to the middle of the court where they log-rolled, one girl after another, down part of the floor.

25 years ago – Feb. 28, 1983

BANGOR – Hundreds of people took time during the past week to reacquaint themselves with Bangor during Winterfest ’83, and when festivities concluded it was clear to the event’s organizers that an annual celebration may well be in the making.

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BANGOR – The scene, a frozen moment after the gun sounded in the Eastern Maine Class B schoolboy basketball final, said it all.

Hampden’s Paul Haggan stood motionless at the top of the circle, his hands clasped behind his head in disbelief. Seconds earlier his buzzer-beating attempt to tie the game between the Broncos and the newly crowned EM champion Bucksport Golden Bucks had rattled in and out.

Now, Bucksport’s Jay Moore, the high-scoring guard who, along with Danny Sanborn and a few friends, had led the Bucks to the title and a date with Wells in the Class B state final at Augusta Civic Center, was stripping the net from the Bangor Auditorium basket.

The final toll glared down from the scoreboard on high: Bucksport 56, Hampden 54.

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OLD TOWN – The foul shooting of Lenny Stephens of Old Town wasn’t a major factor in the outcome of a basketball game, as was the case in many instances during the basketball tournament week that concluded Saturday at the Bangor Auditorium.

But it did win the 25-year-old Maine Lumberjacks fan a flashy sports car donated by Kelley Pontiac. Stephens won the car during halftime activities at a Jacks game when he shot from the foul line and put a basketball through a hoop with restricted dimensions.

50 years ago – Feb. 28, 1958

BANGOR – The Rev. John T. Keady of St. Patrick’s Minor Seminary in Bougainville in the Solomon Islands is back in the United States for the first time in 10 years.

He has been the guest for a week of Sgt. and Mrs. John Meade, 31 Palm St. Mrs. Meade is his cousin. While in Bangor, Father Keady has visited other relatives, including the Misses Winifred, Mary and Agnes Conway, Mr. and Mrs. John Babcock and Mr. and Mrs. John McGuff.

Father Keady was one of the young priests for the Forty Hours Devotions held at St. John’s Catholic Church.

In October 1947, he went to the Catholic Mission on Gagan Buka Island, one of the Solomon Islands. He was a missionary there for six years until he was reassigned in 1954 to St. Patrick’s Minor Seminary.

Among the many changes that Father Keady finds in the states are the better roads and the extended highways. There are few roads in Bougainville and he must drive his jeep under primitive conditions and mostly along jungle roads.

Father Keady does considerable water travel either by boat or canoe and a great deal of walking, which is the only way to reach and serve many of the villages. In his 10 years of water travel he has been thrown in the water only once. He climbed into some mangrove bushes and stayed there until morning when a passerby in a canoe heard his calls.

100 years ago – Feb. 28, 1908

BANGOR – “The Dog and his Various Merits,” one of the pictures that will be shown at the Gem, is sure to appeal to the public. Nearly all the authorities agree that the dog is the most intelligent of dumb animals and this picture goes a long way to substantiate that contention.

One dog trained by a poacher can be seen in the act of killing ducks. His master hides on the bank and the dog starts out on the trip. He can be seen chasing the duck until he tires him out, then kills him and brings him to his master.

Dogs trained to perform a variety of tricks are shown in this picture in a wonderfully clear way.

“When Someone Really Cares” and “The Home of the Celt and the Gael,” the new illustrated songs of the Veillieux brothers, pleased large crowds.

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BANGOR – At the Nickel: “Views of London” is an admirable picture – a faithful reproduction of London’s many scenes of interest, both ancient and modern. Then there is “A Knight of the Black Art,” a magic sketch with gorgeous coloring, and “Why the Wedding was Put Off,” an amusing comedy conceit.

Of course, Arthur Haskins and Jack Gurney made good with their songs and received a fine hand at each performance. Mr. Huskins is singing “Little Dolly Driftwood” and Mr. Gurney “When the Moon Plays Peek-A-Boo.”

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BANGOR – Russell’s Band formally dedicated its fine new hall in the Bass building, Exchange Street, with an entertainment and dance. Solos were most agreeably sung by Mr. Drinkwine and Mr. Rice, and there was a piano selection by Mr. Hopkins. It is the intention of the band to hold similar gatherings during the remainder of the winter.

The new hall is spacious and handsome – in fact, few bands in Maine have such excellent quarters.

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NORTH ORRINGTON – The North Orrington Women’s Christian Temperance Union met at the home of its president, Mrs. Johnson. After the devotional exercises, which were deeply enjoyed and very helpful, the reports were given, the collection taken and several items of business acted upon.

In memory of the great and gentle leader of the organization, “The Story of Frances E. Willard” was read aloud, bringing near to our hearts the great purposes and personality of the “uncrowned Queen of America.”

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DIXMONT – Dan Croxford is loading a car at Etna with apples for England.

Horace Parsons and Edwin Garland are shipping their apples to J.G. and B.S. Ferguson.

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BUCKSPORT – Edward F. Sennate and Frank Alexander have the contract and are now putting in 186 new tubes into the boiler owned by Edward Cook of Verona.

Elliott M. Nye raised a pig that dressed out at 452 pounds. His neighbors are quite envious as each year he takes the honors for having the largest pig.

Professor Robert J. Sprague of Orono will deliver a lecture at the Methodist Church. His subject will be “Industrial Education.” Since this is a subject which is exciting great interest among those watching the development of the school system, Bucksport citizens will doubtless take advantage of the opportunity to hear what is being done and what is expected of this kind of education.

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NORTH CASTINE – A very pretty wedding took place at the home of Mr. and Mrs. E.C. Bowden at North Castine when their daughter, Miss Florence, was united in marriage to Mr. Elijah Heath of Penobscot. The rooms were tastefully decorated with pinks and evergreens. The bride was prettily attired in a dress of white silk Landsdowne, and carried a bouquet of white roses.

Compiled by Ardeana Hamlin