10 years ago – March 28, 1992

(As reported in the Bangor Daily News)

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The last time University of Maine senior center Martin Robitaille scored a goal, it was Dec. 19 in the Great Western Freeze-Out Tournament in Inglewood, Calif., against Michigan State.

Robitaille has played in only six of the 13 games since then because of a knee injury, but he would like nothing better than to snap out of his slump against the Spartans in their Saturday night NCAA Tournament quarterfinal game at the Providence Civic Center.

Robitaille is Maine’s leading career scorer against the Spartans with one goal and eight assists in five games.

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BANGOR – Bangor Fire officials spent part of Friday evening trying to figure out why the lights went out in three downtown buildings.

The electricity shorted out in the former Grant’s building and neighboring buildings which house Sweet Temptations Candies and the Norumbega Cafe on Central Street, and G.W. Finnegan’s pub on Franklin Street.

Bangor Assistant Fire Chief Frank Dinsmore said the problem was in a transformer beneath the sidewalk on Franklin Street, and theorized that a circuit breaker had tripped.

25 years ago – March 28, 1977

A lot of us live for the weekend. A couple of days for the taking where we can be ourselves and let the realities of life seep through the 9 to 5 routine.

Bob Nelson of 18 March St. does some of his best living on the weekend. After a full week of managing Week’s Ice Cream Shop at the Airport Mall, he definitely has an urge to get away from it all. He usually gets away about 3,000 feet in a plane rented from the University Flying Club. Nelson is a weekend flier.

“The exhilaration of flight is difficult to put into words,” Nelson said. “I suppose it’s the excitement of controlling your movement through air; the uncompromising panorama of geography that lies on all sides of you, I don’t know. For myself, flying is freedom.”

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OLD TOWN – An open installation of officers of the Katahdin Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, is planned for March 31 at 7:30 p.m., at the Masonic Hall.

Dorothy McIninch will be installed worthy matron and Hobart Libby, worthy patron.

50 years ago – March 28, 1952

ORONO – As soon as the snow leaves, Maine blueberry growers should keep close watch of their land for signs of damage by the black army cutworms, advises Dr. Frank H. Lathrop, head of the department of entomology, Maine Agricultural Experiment Station.

The cutworms begin destroying the blueberry crop right after the snow leaves and the blueberry blossom buds begin to swell, he says. Growers should examine the individual fruit buds carefully, using a magnifying glass.

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ORONO – Claire D. Malcolm of Gardiner has been named the recipient of the Milton Ellis Prize at the University of Maine.

Awarded this year for the first time, the award is presented to the senior English major who ranks highest in three comprehensive examinations given during the junior and senior years. Announcement of the award was made by Dr. Albert M. Turner, head of the English department.

100 years ago – March 28, 1902

BANGOR – The following companies have filed articles of incorporation at the office of the secretary of state:

Bangor Co-operative Printing Company organized at Bangor, for the purpose of doing a general printing and publishing business with $10,000 capital stock of which $1,335 is paid in. The officers are: President John T. Cannon of Bangor; Treasurer Fred A. Jordan of Bangor, certificate approved March 21, 1902.

The Maine Corporation Co., organized at Bangor, for the purpose of promoting the organization of corporations under the laws of Maine, with $10,000 capital stock of which $300 is paid in. The officers are: President George E. Gardner of Bangor; Treasurer Freeland Jones of Bangor. Certificate approved March 25, 1902.

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OLD TOWN – People who have heard more or less about the new filter plant and have not seen it will be somewhat astonished by a visit to the pumping station and an inspection of the filters, which are much more extensive. The adjusting of the immense connecting pipes, numerous valves and other appurtenances is a slow and particular job, but it is now hoped that the water will be turned through them early next week.