10 years ago – Jan. 16, 1993

(As reported in the Bangor Daily News)

HOLDEN – The Holden School Committee told the Board of Selectmen Monday night that school officials would try to keep the budget down again this year, and they hoped to have more information from the state soon, according to Town Manager Larry Varisco.

Until the governor’s office and the Legislature decide what they are going to do with the budget this year, there is little the school board can do but wait.

Holden selectmen discussed the possibility of going in with Brewer and Orrington to seek a grant to purchase a wood chipper to be shared by the three towns. The grant would pay for up to 75 percent of the cost of the equipment.

The selectmen were not enthusiastic about the idea, said the manager. They said that too many problems could occur with shared ownership. The selectmen agreed that financially it might make sense, but they weren’t convinced that it was the best solution.

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VEAZIE – A weeklong celebration of reading and writing will be held next week at the John R. Graham School in Veazie. Titled “Once Upon a Time in Veazie …” the program begins on Tuesday, Jan. 19 and ends Friday, Jan. 22.

Activities will begin at 8:30 a.m. with pupils putting together a long bookworm consisting of paper plates with the children’s favorite books and authors written on them. The pupils will dress up as storybook characters and participate in a singing contest at 10 a.m.

Wednesday will feature workshops throughout the morning by Pam DeVito, illustrator of several books including “Lydia and the Purple Paint,” which she wrote; and pupils showcasing their own writing at Young Artists Night, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Thursday, books will be given free to the youngsters courtesy of the school’s Parent-Teacher Organization, and a presentation to the middle school pupils by textbook editor Jane Livingston.

Food for thought is what Friday is all about, with food from the pupils’ favorite stories being provided and entertainment by the Actors Theater of Maine, which will perform “The Indian in the Cupboard” at 9:45 a.m.

25 years ago – Jan. 16, 1978

HUDSON – A petition is being circulated among shorefront property owners on Pushaw Lake which calls for a hearing by the state Soil and Water Conservation Commission to determine the “normal” water level for the lake.

The Pushaw Lake Interlocal Committee voted at its last meeting to circulate the petition and have the commission hold a hearing, probably next summer, because of a concern about the lake’s water level, said Malcolm Rich of the interlocal committee.

In order for the Soil and Water Conservation Commission to hold a hearing, the petition must be signed by at least 10 percent of the shorefront property owners. The interlocal committee is made up of representatives from the towns bordering the lake, Hudson, Glenburn, Orono, and Old Town.

It was formed about two years ago as after persons living around the lake became concerned over flooding and water quality at Pushaw.

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GLENBURN – After a year of work, the Glenburn Planning Board has reached the final stages of work on an updated zoning ordinance.

To further inform Glenburn residents, two public informational meetings are planned for Tuesday, January 24 at 7:30 p.m. One meeting will be held at the West Glenburn Community Center, while the other will be in session at the Glenburn Municipal Building.

The proposed ordinance will be discussed, and copies will be available. The town’s manager has urged all residents to participate in one or the other of these meetings.

50 years ago – Jan. 16, 1953

BANGOR – An urgent appeal to people in the area for housing for men and their families who are arriving at Dow Air Force Base was made Thursday afternoon by Dow AFB personnel who are faced with the problem of finding 750 more homes for Air Force men and their families.

Any available housing, whether one room, an apartment, or an entire house is desperately needed, according to Gordon Hines, executive secretary of the Bangor-Brewer Community Chest. Furnished and unfurnished quarters of every kind are being sought, and anyone who has housing of any kind available is urgently requested to notify the Base Housing Office at Dow AFB immediately.

The housing appeal was made at an organizational meeting of the new USO committee, held at the Community Chest offices and attended by representatives of local Chest agencies and by Dow AFB personnel.

David Rudman was elected chairman of the committee which will include representatives of the YWCA, YMCA, Salvation Army, Jewish Community Services, Catholic Charities, Travelers Aid Society and other service organizations. The committee will deal with both the housing situation and the recreation problem attending the increased personnel at Dow AFB.

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ORONO – The Red Cross Bloodmobile will collect blood in Orono February 2 for use in front line hospitals in Korea, according to Brooks Hamilton, newly named Blood Drive chairman.

Hamilton, head of the department of journalism at the University of Maine, made the announcement Tuesday night at a meeting of the program committee at the home of Mrs. Mark Bailey, chairman of the Orono Red Cross chapter.

Subcommittee chairmen attending the meeting were Mrs. James Gannett, hostess committee; Mrs. Parker Cushman and Mrs. Merrill Weymouth, joint chairmen of the Canteen committee; Edward Merrill, facilities, and H.D. Berry, publicity.

Hamilton was in charge of the blood program in Augusta where he was city editor of the Kennebec Journal before coming to Orono in August.

100 years ago – Jan. 16, 1903

OLD TOWN – Larry, Old Town’s crack fire horse, clipped his record a bit on Thursday. On the test signal a hitch was made and the wagon was at box 24 in front of Gibbon’s clothing store in 1 minute and 40 seconds. This is some quicker than apparatus could be turned out by hand.

Driver Preble thinks that the record can be reduced at least 20 seconds when everything is working smoothly. On account of lack of sufficient heating arrangements, the extra men have not taken up their abode in the station. It would seem to be the proper thing to have the night men in the house as quickly as possible. Driver Preble sleeps on the ground floor, ready to hitch-up on the first stroke.

As there was no quorum present, the meeting of the Old Town firemen’s relief association called for Wednesday night was postponed until next week.

There was no police court business on Thursday morning.

It is expected that Prof. Harrington of the University of Maine will give an organ recital in this city soon, under the auspices of the Neeburban Club. The recital will be held at the Baptist church and the admission fee will be low. The club is desirous of giving the public a high grade entertainment, at a price merely sufficient to pay the expenses. By the kindness of Prof. Harrington the club hopes to be able to do this in a short time.

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BREWER – The dancing at the high school hop to be given in City Hall on Friday night will commence at 8 o’clock sharp and the people not there with their things off at that time will lose part of the enjoyment of the occasion.

On Thursday, for the first time since the great ripping-up last March, the people were able to cross the toll bridge without mingling with beasts of burden and other things not very pleasant.

The sidewalks of the old sections of the bridge have been cleared and re-opened. A gentle incline connects with the sidewalk of the new structure which is wide enough for a brass band to march and play tunes at the same time.

On Wednesday Rev. B.B. Merrill married Fred Slipp and Hazel E. McDonald, both of South Brewer.

Winter has fairly set in and it seems about time that the fire apparatus be changed from wheels to runners. It would be easier on the horses and some time could be saved in getting to fires. The fire alarm whistle at South Brewer has been silent for three or four days.

Compiled by Matt Poliquin