10 years ago – Dec. 25, 1993

(As reported in the Bangor Daily News)

ORRINGTON – Four-year-old Bujamma Page sat on her living room floor in a brand new pair of red corduroy overalls and meticulously opened a Christmas package.

She was practicing. She was careful not to rip the shiny green and red wrapping paper, displaying a degree of patience not commonly found in 4-year-old children.

It didn’t last long. In 10 minutes she was on her third present and the paper was just in the way. She casually tossed it aside and it landed in a crumpled heap beside the Christmas tree.

The Barbie doll inside brought a big grin before it, too, was tossed aside in exchange for another trip to the tree.

It’s a scene from a very personal and very heartwarming Christmas story, and it’s unfolding in the Orrington home of Frank and Doreen Page.

The Pages have waited 10 years for a child to open presents beneath their Christmas tree. They initially attempted domestic adoptions, but a variety of circumstances continually precluded any successful results.

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OLD TOWN – Old Town High School’s hockey team had been the dominant force in Eastern Maine Class B lately.

Entering this season, the Indians had won four of the past five Eastern Maine B championships and they annexed back-to-back state championships the past two seasons.

They were 94-10 over those five seasons. Sooner or later, there was bound to be a rebuilding cycle, and that is where the Indians are this season.

Tenth-year head coach Gene Fadrigon lost 13 players off last year’s 20-1 team and returned just two players who played significant roles: senior left wing Andy Trice and senior defenseman Chad Chunglo

25 years ago – Dec. 25, 1978

ORONO – For many, waking up can be a depressing experience because it means they have to prepare for another long and tedious workday. But that is not how University of Maine at Orono hockey coach Jack Semler views his profession.

“Hockey is my first love,” admitted the 32-year-old coach. “There are a lot of great sports, but hockey is special. It’s exciting to coach it.”

Junketing all over North America to land a blue-chip player is a nightmare for many coaches – but not for Semler, who finds recruiting “a lot of fun.”

50 years ago – Dec. 25, 1953

BANGOR – Venice, the ancient city of canals and palaces, is the subject of a photographic exhibit now showing in the gallery at Bangor Public Library.

The photographs, mounted on panels 24-by-33 inches in size and titled with great explanatory detail, are loaned by Life magazine. There are 24 of them. Arranged systematically, according to subject and time, the exhibit forms a history of the city at the time of its greatest power and influence in commerce, politics and culture. This was the period from 1300 to 1500.

Prepared under the direction of John Goldsmith Phillips, associate curator, Renaissance art, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, the exhibit at the Bangor Public Library features Venice at the Crossroads of the World; The Doge’s Palace, The Seat of the Venetian Government; The Lion of St. Mark, symbol of Venice; Artists of the Age of Opulence; and The Stones of Venice.

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BANGOR – Proceeds from the mail sale of Christmas seals in Bangor and Brewer totaled $8,305.16 this week according to an announcement made by Mrs. Ceylon R. Archer, general chairman and board member of the Bangor-Brewer Tuberculosis and Health Association.

“On behalf of the association, I wish to thank everyone who has contributed and everyone who has written to us even though they were unable to make a donation,” Mrs. Archer said. “The mail sale last year reached $9,391.05 at its official closing on Feb. 28, 1953, so we have over $1,000 to go to equal it this year,” Mrs. Archer added.

Total amounts received by supplementary methods, such as booth sales, will be announced later. Last year $10,490 was raised by all methods.

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BANGOR – The NEWS Charities-Salvation Army Christmas efforts will bring cheer to 2,102 individuals in Bangor and vicinity.

There will be 550 children receiving toys and garments this year through the local Citadel; 460 of them will be from out of town, and 115, local youngsters.

At the Citadel, Sr. Capt. Clair T. Lowman will conduct a Christmas tree program for 150 boys and girls, giving them toys and clothes. About 100 local people will enjoy a Christmas dinner at the Citadel, and 150 families will dine at home from baskets provided by the Salvation Army and the NEWS.

100 years ago – Dec. 25, 1903

BANGOR – It was a dismal Christmas Eve and at this writing, it looks very much as though it will be a dismal Christmas day. But no matter how dreary and gray and damp it may be outside, there will be oceans of cheer within. For Christmas is the one day in all the year when this condition is bound to hold.

Christmas trade has been brisk. This means that the little people have been generously remembered. Presents will be exchanged amidst wishes of good will, from the rich circles down through the most humble. The poor have been remembered by the Salvation Army and other charitable institutions, and food and gifts will be carried wherever needed.

Services will be held in the Catholic and Episcopal churches. Some of the Protestant churches will have Christmas trees at night, but services will not be held. A tree will be lighted at the City Farm. Presents will be distributed at the Children’s Home and the Home for Aged Women. Sheriff and Mrs. Gilman are going to give the prisoners in their keeping a prison Christmas that will be long remembered. The men will be given every freedom the law allows and will be fed until they beg for mercy.

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OLD TOWN – An entertainment decidedly new and novel for Old Town is offered the people in the basketball game that will be played in City Hall on Friday night between the newly organized high school team and the team from Shaw Business College. Basketball is an interesting and exciting game, and the people will no doubt be given a good entertainment. Considerable credit is due the boys in starting something in the athletic line and there should be good patronage.

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BREWER – John Garland sold his fine two-year-old Dustmont filly Eldora to Frank Lyford of Veazie, who already owns Dustmont, a half-sister to Eldora.

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BREWER – The Brewer electric line has paid a dividend of 300 percent during the past few days. The need of a waiting room for the trolley has been much felt at both ends of the line. It seems hardly right for the people to be obliged to stay out in the cold these days while waiting for the cars, which have been known to be off the schedule.

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BANGOR – Business was brisk with the produce dealers in Pickering Square yesterday morning. It was Christmas market and activity was more marked than it has been since Thanksgiving. The following prices prevail for produce from the carts:

Eggs, from 35 to 38 cents, with the average 36.

New butter, 21 and 22 cents.

New potatoes. 45 and 55 cents per bushel.

Native pea beans, $3 a bushel.

Onions, $1 and $1.25 per bushel.

Squashes, a cent a pound.

Turnips, 25 and 30 cents.

Cabbages, $1 a dozen.

Native celery, $1.15.

Apples, $1.50 and $2.

Compiled by Ardeana Hamlin