10 years ago – Dec. 18, 1993

(As reported in the Bangor Daily News)

BANGOR – Thanks to a little electrical rigging, a traffic light on Stillwater Avenue near the Bangor cinema is working in time to handle the rush of holiday shoppers.

The light originally was due to be on line before Thanksgiving, but the controller never arrived. So electricians at the Public Works Department put one together until the part arrives, hopefully within the next three weeks, City Manager Edward Barrett said.

Barrett said the light was needed to curb heavy traffic that previously was controlled only by a stop sign.

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BANGOR – Matthew Bagley, 2, squealed with delight as an attendant unwrapped a gift handed to him by Santa Claus, alias Albert Rand of Brewer, during a Christmas party at Bangor’s Elizabeth Levinson Center.

Young Matthew cannot speak, but he clearly conveyed approval of the cuddly bear that came out of the box. His luminous brown eyes shone and he smiled at everyone in the room, especially at Rand, who has been playing Santa for 22 years to disabled children at the center.

Earlier, Rand and volunteers, including his wife, Mary, cooked and served lunch to center staff and children. Then Rand switched to his favorite role.

Dressed in the traditional red-and-white Santa suit, the Brewer retiree came ho-ho-hoing into the living room filled with squealing children.

He sat by a Christmas tree and greeted 19 children who were carried or wheeled to him by parents and staff at the state-run center on Hogan Road.

“If you have been blessed like I have,” said Rand, ” you’ve got to put something back in.”

25 years ago – Dec. 18, 1978

ORRINGTON – Librarian Karen Seidel demonstrated sliding-shelf atlas cabinets at the Orrington Public Library to Hadley Jordan, administrative manager of the IMC chemical plant in Orrington. IMC donated $700 to help buy furniture for the new library.

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HAMPDEN – A character on one of those Downeast humor records once described a day which had been “just one long fizzle.”

The last 24 hours was that sort of day, from the perspective of the Hampden Police Department.

There were five burglaries, two auto accidents, a reported shoplifter, a report that someone had stolen gasoline from a business, a few citizen requests and complaints, and even a dead dog, which was gone by the time the police got there.

The day “really strapped out resources,” said weary-sounding Chief Ronald Huston. Hampden has a five-man force, with the chief and one man normally on duty during the day. Huston had to call in two full-time officers and one part-time officer to help. Policemen had to use their own cars, he said, because the department only has two.

50 years ago – Dec. 13, 1953

BANGOR – “The Festival of Lights,” a playlet, was presented by Grade 3, Room 8, at the Abraham Lincoln School. This was a feature of the Christmas program presented by the pupils of Miss Marion Quinn.

Taking part in the playlet were Joel Alpert, Gail Segal, Michael Alpert, Bernice Braveman and Roslyn Striar.

The remainder of the program consisted of Christmas symbols, songs and recitations. Those taking part were Wayne Eldrige, Leland Drew, Ann Littlefield, Analisa Markos, Mabel Leighton, Stephen Leen, Michael Craig, Joyce Goode, Joyce Leighton, Edward Curran, Donald Connelly, Donna Lane, Joseph Goodreau, Carol Melin, Peter Noddin, June Robinson, Carroll Moores, Gretchen Goodwin, Sandra Hamel, John Aubert, Alexander Spencer, Philip Clukey, Roger Murray, Linda Hamel, Joyce Marquis and Robert Michael Bell.

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BANGOR – A stern warning was issued by Chief John J. Nelligan to persons telephoning false alarms to the Bangor Fire Department.

“Recently,” he said, “the department had received a lot of false telephone calls. Our men and department have taken several long runs this week and found no fires.”

Nelligan said that fire and police officials are investigating the recent false calls.

“If the offenders are caught,” he said, “we will definitely prosecute them to the limit of the law.”

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BANGOR – The fourth annual Christmas concert of the Northern Conservatory of Music was presented in the recital hall of Symphony House before an audience of invited guests.

Directed by Phyllis R. Geary with Edward H. Prescott at the organ console, the program consisted of traditional and modern Christmas music beautifully presented by a well-trained group.

Carol Ann Shanley, soprano, sang “He Shall Feed His Flock” from Handel’s “Messiah,” and Lois Wing, soprano, was heard in “Come Unto Him” from the same oratorio.

Baritone Russell Foster gave “The Inn at Bethlehem” by Dickinson and the solo part in “O Holy Night” was sung by Ann Saliem, soprano.

Following the program, tea was served in the Pullen room with Mary Hayes Hayford presiding at the punch bowl. Seasonal decorations set the theme for the occasion with a grouping of angels on the mantel, and Christmas tree bulbs and greens on the tea table.

100 years ago – Dec. 18, 1903

BANGOR – Christmas time will be observed at the Essex Street Free Baptist Church by a Christmas giving service.

Everybody, both members of the church and Sunday school, are invited to share in the offerings. A committee will be present to receive any gifts that may be brought in.

On Sunday evening the offerings will all be presented.

Lists have been provided from which the different classes in the Sunday school can select whatever articles they may choose to give.

The first of next week all the gifts will be distributed. After providing for the deserving of the church and Sunday school, the remainder will be given to Ensign Jones of the Salvation Army for use in the Christmas work of that organization.

The idea is to emphasize the true Christian spirit – that of giving and making others happy rather than expecting to receive from others.

A special program has been arranged for the occasion, including singing by chorus choir, a quartet, recitations and singing by the children.

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SOUTH ORRINGTON – Fine skating on all ponds and streams in this vicinity is giving healthy exercise to all who are fortunate enough to be in condition and having a desire for outdoor sport.

Lumbermen are wishing for snow as it is said the swamps are well-filled and nicely frozen, and the wood and logs are cut and ready for hauling.

The extensive sale of handkerchiefs at the Ladies’ Church Aid sale is said to be on account of the very many bad colds prevailing in the village at the present time.

The fair and sale at the Union Hall was a complete success in every sense of the term. A very fine entertainment was arranged and carried out by Mrs. Blanche K. Blake as a closing feature of a very pleasing exhibit, for which the community all unite in extending thanks to that lady. All of the many numbers were rendered finely, many in a manner that would do credit to professionals, and the neat sum of $108.23 was netted. The guessing contest resulted in the awarding of one quilt to Mrs. Blanche K. Blake, the other to Mr. Richard W. Clifford. Nearly every article was disposed of, and all were very happy over the event.

The siding at the railroad station is to be converted into a turn-out. A switch is now being placed at either end, whereas one end was formerly closed.

Mrs. Julia Ware left by Train for Brewer from whence she goes to New York to pass the winter there with her children.

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BANGOR – The toll bridge is no more. In the office of the mayor in City Hall, the Bangor Bridge Co., through its agent, C.F. Woodward Esq., received $88,539 from Penobscot County, the city of Bangor and the city of Brewer. Immediately, word was sent to the toll-house at the Bangor end of the bridge, and on receipt of the message, the next person who came along with a wagon was passed free.

The person was Leslie J. Southworth of South Brewer. He had a dime grasped firmly between his fingers and extended it to Mr. Farnham who came out, Southworth supposed, to gather the toll. The situation was explained, Southworth took off his hat and grinned at the reporters, and the toll bridge passed into ancient history.

Compiled by Ardeana Hamlin