The year was 2004, but it might as well have been 1904 given how long ago it was in the development of the modern Husson College football program. The guest at the Winkin Complex was Hartwick College of Oneonta, N.Y., a member of the Empire… Read More
YORK – Just five months after turning 55, Mark Plummer of Manchester made New England Golf Association history Thursday when he captured the 2007 New England Senior Championship title following a two-hole playoff at York Golf & Country Club. With the victory, Plummer became the first player in… Read More
Week 4 of the high school football season features rebounds and showdowns. One team on the rebound is Bangor, coming off a 32-12 loss at defending state champion Lawrence of Fairfield in the rematch of their 2006 Eastern Maine Class A final. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
A persistent drizzle evolved into a steady rain Saturday morning, but the falling water wasn’t our focus. The flowing water was. Oddly, after only an hour of casting, my fishing buddy and I were alone. Three other early-bird anglers had been working the pools on… Read More
Maine Maritime Academy has announced three new members of the William J. Mottola Mariner Athletics Hall of Fame. The honorees are coach Davis E. “Dave” Wiggin, Bob Fauvell (Class of ’74), and Jack Cutliffe (’55). The 2007 Mariner Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremony will… Read More
Jack Hersom’s first year as a starting varsity quarterback was – to use the vernacular associated with Tom Brady – one of game management. And he couldn’t have managed the Lawrence High School offense much better than he did last year, as the Bulldogs merely… Read More
There were two couples holding their race programs in the garage area before Sunday’s Sylvania 300 Nextel Cup race at New Hampshire International Speedway. They were hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite Cup driver and get an autograph. A stylish, 6-foot-5 African-American man… Read More
The 13th annual University of Maine Women’s Basketball Golf Classic will be held on Monday beginning at 11 a.m. at the Penobscot Valley Country Club in Orono. There will be a shotgun start and it will consist of a four-person scramble format. An auction, dinner… Read More
A year ago, Beau Peavey of Glenburn gained a fair measure of local fame when he caught and released the lone Atlantic salmon landed during the experimental fall fishing season on the Penobscot River. The river had been closed to fishing since 1999 and was… Read More
Some of the most enjoyable memories of my years in coaching – 34 years, to be exact – are replayed on the USA television network at 6 a.m. weekdays in the hilarious reruns of the TV show, “Coach.” The program aired on ABC from 1989-1997,… Read More
The University of Maine football team faces a difficult challenge this week. Coming off a gut-wrenching 24-17 overtime loss at Villanova, coach Jack Cosgrove’s Black Bears (1-2) are faced with the task of regrouping and focusing on Saturday’s 2:30 p.m. Colonial Athletic Association clash with… Read More
Morgan Chasse’s move to John Bapst of Bangor is working out well for her in several ways. Not only is she able to take some advanced classes not available to her at Bangor Christian, where she spent her freshman and sophomore years, but she has… Read More
Baseball is a game of pitching first. Hitting and defense must be there, but without the pitching, the rest falls apart. As the postseason approaches, pitching is not a settled matter with many of the probable playoff teams. That is somewhat unusual since there are… Read More
Twenty years ago Canada goose numbers in central and northern Maine were negligible. A group of waterfowling friends and I used to make annual trips to Maryland, New York, and Connecticut to enjoy dependable wing shooting for this wary and exciting quarry. Then, slowly but… Read More
Recently I’ve been rewarded with a few sightings of migrating shorebirds. Last week I recounted seeing a lone least sandpiper among the rocks at high tide at a small beach I frequent. This past Tuesday, after a day of almost torrential rain, I again found myself heading to… Read More
The Maine Ski Hall of Fame will induct nine new members during the fifth annual awards banquet at Lost Valley Ski Area in Auburn on Oct. 26. The MSHF was founded in 2003 and is a division of the Ski Museum of Maine. It seeks… Read More
The drive home from work Wednesday night was unremarkable, save for a particular moment of irony. A national sports talk radio show filled the airwaves, blasting away at New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick’s latest video indulgences. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
John Phippen Jr. of Town Hill has won six points championships in his career dating back to 1979. He will enter the final race at Hermon’s Speedway 95 Saturday night with a one-point lead over Corinna’s Paul White in the Pro Stock division. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
There will be plenty of excitement from 6-8 p.m. today at the home of Mary Lou Ryan at 14 Hatfield Road in Orrington. She is the grand prize winner of a block party that will feature the Subway Restaurants NASCAR show car and driven by former Nextel Cup… Read More
Jerry Donna of Prospect recorded his second 300 game in 28 years of bowling during the Thursday Night Pine Tree men’s league at the Family Fun Bowling Center in Bangor. Donna, 36, recorded scores of 300, 221 and 234 for a 755 series. Read More
A few weeks back I told you about an opportunity being offered by the Penobscot Indian Nation to a few eager moose hunters. For the first time, the Penobscots are going to open their land to an open moose hunt for as many as four… Read More
Scenic views, a challenging course, and the only half-marathon in the country that runs through a national park are a few of many things the Bar Harbor Half Marathon has to offer. The race will celebrate its 30th birthday Saturday, starting at 8:30 a.m. at… Read More
Boys Big School (Classes A-B) googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i = 0; i < slot_sizes.length; i++) { if (isMobileDevice()) { if (slot_sizes[i][0] googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
Longtime Mount Desert Island tennis coach Bob Christie will be hard to replace when the school starts looking for a new coach later this year, athletic director Bunky Dow said. Christie, who led the Trojan boys to three Eastern Maine Class B titles, recently resigned… Read More
Set those alarm clocks. In case you missed it, the Women’s World Cup is being held in China. The soccer games are being played at 4:55 and 7:55 a.m. EDT and they’re televised on ESPN and ESPN2. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
John Bapst of Bangor’s 22-20 LTC football victory over Mattanawcook Academy of Lincoln on Saturday night featured defensive resilience and offensive balance. The Crusaders limited MA’s potent offense to 76 rushing yards until its final drive of the game, then stopped the Lynx on four… Read More
ORONO – Garth Snow, Andy Bedard and Mike Flynn will be among the newest members of the University of Maine Sports Hall of Fame when the Class of 2007 is inducted on Oct. 14. Snow, a former men’s ice hockey standout goalie; Bedard, an ex-Black… Read More
CAPE ELIZABETH – Tuesday’s opening round of the Maine Senior Golf Championship was canceled by the Maine State Golf Association when more than half the field was unable to complete play at Purpoodock Club due to rain. The tournament is scheduled to resume today at… Read More
The best measuring stick for a quarterback is the number of points his team scores. Two games into the 2007 season, the University of Maine offense has scored only two touchdowns. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = [];… Read More
Last year at this time, Tyler Pineo was making about $10 per game working as a ballboy during Central High boys soccer games. This year, however, Pineo has chosen to do his work for free – as the Red Devils’ starting goalie. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
For the past 30 years, shooting sports enthusiasts have flocked to the Bangor Auditorium for the annual Bangor Gun Show. But as organizers once again proved over the weekend, there’s plenty more to this annual event than simply guns. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
A casual visit from a column reader at the Bangor Mall triggered interest in today’s piece. “Do you ever write anything funny?” googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i = 0;… Read More
FORT WILLIAM, Scotland – Adam Craig of Corinth and Bend, Ore., was the top North American finisher in Saturday’s men’s cross country race at the International Cycling Union’s 2007 Mountain Bike World Championships. Craig finished 22nd overall among 107 participants in the race, which was… Read More
UNIONDALE, N.Y. – Former University of Maine goalie Mike Dunham ended his 10-year NHL playing career Monday to become the goaltending coach of the New York Islanders. “I’m very proud of my career and really enjoyed playing my final year on Long Island,” the former… Read More
Losing good people never gets easier. If anything, their value in a world of turmoil and narcissism makes their going more difficult to face. Max McNab died last week. A really good person is gone. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
More soccer coverage needed I really enjoyed your full color insert last weekend regarding high school football in Maine. It was well researched and gave BDN readers lots of information about all the teams and players. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
OAKLAND – A reproduction of Fenway Park has taken shape in here, thanks to a local philanthropist and community leader who owns a minority share of the Boston Red Sox. The Harold Alfond Fenway Park, with an expected seating capacity of 500, will be used… Read More
Wild Atlantic salmon (and those hatchery-raised fish that play an important role in restoration efforts) face plenty of obstacles during their lives. When they’re young and small, nearly anything in a river or stream can gobble them up. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
Two teams are hoping to build off season-opening victories, while another will kick off its 2007 campaign in Saturday’s games involving Maine college football programs. Maine (1-0) at Connecticut (1-0), 7 p.m., Rentschler Field (capacity 40,000), East Hartford, Conn.: Coach Jack Cosgrove’s Black Bears take… Read More
HERMON – Ben Johnson III of Orland bowled a perfect game during the Friday Night League at the Sports Arena. The 300 game was his first of the season and sixth of his career. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
BANGOR – The Husson College men’s soccer game Wednesday against the University of Maine-Fort Kent marked the first time a game was played on the new FieldTurf surface at Boucher Field. UMFK won 1-0. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
Time Warner Cable has good news and bad news for NFL fans as the 2007 season opens in earnest this weekend. First, the good. Both Bangor ABC television affiliate WVII (Channel 7) and sister station/Fox affiliate WFVX (Ch. 22) are now available on Time Warner… Read More
Over my many years of rubbing shoulders with the members of Maine’s angling fraternity I’ve noted that most of the fly fishermen exhibit three very distinct traits: dedication, determination, and diversity. Dedication is what keeps a guy flinging a gaudy feathered hook when the fellow downstream keeps hauling… Read More
With archery season looming and firearms season for deer less than two months away, many prospective hunters are looking to complete their state-mandated hunter safety courses. Here are some of the upcoming offerings for both disciplines: googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
As I walked along the beach, I realized I had it all to myself. It was cool and sundown only a few minutes away; the usual beachcombers were absent. The quiet, sedate waves of a falling high tide whispered gently as gulls cruised overhead. Further… Read More
The first weekend of the high school football season brought plenty of anticipation, but only a modicum of excitement to gridirons around the state. Of 35 games last weekend, 14 were decided by 32 points or more, 25 games were decided by at least 20… Read More
Drivers at Hermon’s Speedway 95 regularly complain that there is just one racing groove, the outside groove, and that it is nearly impossible to pass someone while running on the inside groove. In fact, Speedway 95 co-owners Del Merritt and Alice Baker have allowed the… Read More
The richest day of the Maine harness racing season is even richer this year. Scarborough Downs hosts the 34th annual Maine Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association Stakes Finals races with just more than $213,000 in total purse money at stake. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
According to the national press, hunters are becoming increasingly scarce. So are anglers. In fact, according to an Associated Press story that circulated earlier this week, the yearly decrease of hunters is causing financial woes in state wildlife departments across the country. Even here, in… Read More
If you’re looking for a race that has a little bit of everything, then the Race to End Domestic Violence 12K and 5K just might be the race for you. The 11th annual event, which has become a tradition the first weekend of October in… Read More
It’s that time of year again. Soccer moms are jamming their vehicles with youngsters, equipment, balls, water bottles, etc. Thanks to University of Maine men’s assistant coach Chris Parsons, here are some drills designed to improve your players’ skills and have fun. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
The Nokomis Warriors weren’t totally satisfied with Saturday afternoon’s varsity football debut, even though it resulted in a 22-6 victory over Old Town. “We didn’t play very good,” said Nokomis quarterback Derek Amoroso. “We weren’t mentally prepared, and we made mental mistakes. We’re only going… Read More
As advertised, University of Maine quarterback Mike Brusko proved a legitimate run threat Saturday night during the Black Bears’ season-opening 21-14 victory over Monmouth. The rugged, yet shifty, sophomore debuted by rushing for 109 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
HOULTON – Although they’re the defending Class C state champions, the members of the Houlton High School golf team know they’ve got a tough season ahead if they want to get back to that point this year. Not only did the Shiretowners graduate three of… Read More
Unity Raceway won’t be just for stock car racing beginning in October. Ralph Nason Jr., the track manager and race director, is in the process of adding a supercross course to the infield of the raceway. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
I couldn’t help thinking about another rookie pitcher for the Boston Red Sox as I watched Clay Buchholz finish off the Baltimore Orioles in his no-hitter Saturday night. Heck, that kid, Billy Rohr, who spun his near gem, a 1-hitter in the storied 1967 season,… Read More
“That was about as embarrassed as I’ve been in a long time, for baseball.” So said Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona last week after he was called into the clubhouse runway during the second inning of the Yankee game on Wednesday by Major League… Read More
MUNICH, Germany – Colby College graduate Margaret Duggan and her U.S. teammates finished fourth Sunday in the final of the women’s lightweight quadruple sculls at the 2007 FISA World Rowing Championships. China jumped out to the early lead, but settled for third place as both… Read More
Every so often – usually during the first week of a hunting season, as it turns out – Phil McTigue of Holden has reason to grin, and to start printing photos. McTigue is like many of you, I figure. He’s an avid hunter who has… Read More
Hikers love Acadia National Park. There are 125 miles of signed, maintained trails of virtually every type and difficulty, ranging from easy lakeshore and seashore paths to steep, rocky climbs up to open summits. Almost all of them have one thing in common, unbelievable scenic… Read More
Aren’t vacations the best thing since sugar tong splints and fracture boots? I mean, what an opportunity to see new places, explore new destinations, revisit old haunts. Do tomorrow what you don’t get done today – manana, baby, manana. Rather than fly off to the… Read More
The Penobscot Valley Conservation Association will hold its 30th annual Bangor Gun Show on Sept. 8-9 at the Bangor Auditorium. Show hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sunday. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
It’s that time again. Time for the annual one-guy-chats-up-a-few coaches-and-chats-up folks-who-chatted-up-a-few-other-coaches, then-puts-his-finger-into-the-air-to-gauge-the-prevailing-sentiment Eastern Maine high school football preseason poll. High school polls have popped up all over the place in recent years, and the best thing about them is they mean nothing, because unlike in… Read More
Mike Hopkins figured he was going to have a pretty good season this year in the Sport-Four division at Hermon’s Speedway 95. He barely missed out on winning the points championship a year ago, finishing second by four points to Reggie Bickford. He won eight… Read More
Those who enjoy shooting sports are an avid bunch, and many of them spend plenty of time talking about guns, assorted hand loads, and ways to improve in any number of disciplines. Unfortunately, that same enthusiasm can be a bit intimidating to those who are… Read More
With the unofficial end of summer around the corner, most of the state’s high school cross country runners will kick off their quest for state-championship glory this weekend, with some Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference and Aroostook County teams having already begun their seasons. That being… Read More
When you see youngsters in replica University of Maine hockey jerseys at Black Bear games, it’s a safe assumption they aspire to play for Maine. Bangor’s Derek Damon was one of those kids and he went on to have a productive four-year career as a Black Bear. Read More
The additions of Nokomis of Newport and Mount View of Thorndike as two new varsity programs is not the only change in the Eastern Maine high school football world this season. The playoff qualifying mechanism in two of the three classes has been adjusted, with… Read More
During her days at Brewer High School, Abby Bouzan-Kaloustian was not a distance runner. The only times she ran distance races were the 800 meters at Brewer’s annual test day, which caps off the Witches’ preseason. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
Ever since wild turkeys were reintroduced in Maine 30 years ago, state wildlife biologists and hunters have looked forward to the hunting opportunities that would eventually be created. That effort, which began with the transport of 41 birds from Vermont to southern Maine, has been… Read More
The Bangor High boys soccer team returned to practice this fall with a purpose – defending the Class A state championship – and to a surprise. Adam Leach, who coached the Rams to their first-ever Class A state title in 2006, has announced he plans… Read More
As summer wanes – gosh, I hate to say that – the fall sports season is upon us. Once again, my dear mother’s adage held true: After July 4th, the summer really seems to fly. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
SCARBOROUGH – The Maine Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association handed out two awards on Saturday. Bethany Graffam of the University of Maine-Farmington was awarded a $3,000 scholarship. She works at the family farm and is a familiar face in the paddock. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
Each summer, long before the weather begins cooling and the leaves begin falling, diehard bird hunters are looking ahead. They’re anticipating days spent afield, riding roads or following skilled dogs in search of a clear shot at a speedy grouse or woodcock. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
The fact there was any harness racing at all at the Union Fair grounds this week was something short of a miracle. Having a full slate of racing – with a few record times, no less – in this, the 106th racing season at the… Read More
The first time I hiked in the Great Pond Mountain Wildlands it was April. I had wanted to see what was available for hiking trails on the property, owned by the Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust. Back then the trails were just beginning to be… Read More
Over the years I’ve traveled hither and yon across the Pine Tree State to explore and enjoy any type of cast or blast adventure available. Whenever an opportunity has presented itself to participate in a different style of hunting or unusual method of fishing, I’ve been on board. Read More
Two former student-athletes, one friend and supporter, and one team will comprise the University of New England Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2007. Ruth Gagnon Shaw (Class of 1984), Jay Corey ’90, Andy Scontras, and the 1991 University of New England women’s volleyball team… Read More
ORONO – University of Maine football coaching legend Harold Westerman will be inducted into the Black Bear Football Ring of Honor at Alfond Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 22, during the Maine-Massachusetts contest. “I cannot think of a greater representative for the Maine Football Ring of… Read More
Mark Hackett remembers cutting through Harold Westerman’s yard as a third-grader growing up in Orono. Now Bangor High School’s football coach, Hackett knows he probably could have completed the shortcut faster had he started running it out of the wing-T formation. And to learn about… Read More
SOUTH PORTLAND – Registrations for the 15th Maine Golf Hall of Fame celebration on Sept. 7 are still being accepted, according to Golf Hall of Fame executive director Gary Rees. This year’s inductees are Abby Spector, Barrett Nichols, Andree Martin and John Davis. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
As far as fans of the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and even the Boston Red Sox were concerned, this was a big strike against cable television. There was no abrupt cut to the start of “Heidi” the movie Monday night, but… Read More
Having never been married or raised children, I find that I lack a certain common ground with many of my friends. That gap was much larger, I’ll admit, before my dog “son,” Pudge, joined me back in 2003. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
Twenty years ago this summer, a member of the Hampden Academy cross-country family, Warren Bishop, was killed in a tragic car accident. Two decades later, Broncos past and present, as well as a few others in the running community, gather on the same grounds Bishop… Read More
HERMON – The annual Hermon High School field hockey alumni game will be held this Saturday, August 25 at 7 p.m. at Hermon High School. All field hockey alumni are welcome to participate and admission is free. Read More
The University of Maine field hockey team was picked to finish fourth in the America East preseason coaches poll released Wednesday. The Black Bears of first-year coach Josette Babineau received 13 points in the voting. Boston University was the top pick for the third straight… Read More
When Rick Bilodeau of Dexter made a hole-in-one last month, it finally got him off the hook. That’s because his brother Kevin and dad Dick already had one apiece. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner… Read More
Eastern Maine’s two newest varsity football teams squared off Monday night in Newport. It’s not the first time Nokomis has hosted Mount View of Thorndike on the gridiron, but it may have been the most important to date for the fledgling programs. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – The University of Maine women’s soccer team has been selected to finish third in the 2007 America East preseason coaches’ poll. The Black Bears received 51 points in a vote of the conference’s head coaches. Coaches were not allowed to vote for… Read More
As many of us turn our attention to the American Folk Festival this weekend, a steady stream of camouflage-clad hunters will stream past, heading toward some of the state’s fabled rural outposts. In towns like Sebec and Allagash, Bingham and Grand Lake Stream, those hunters… Read More
ORONO – Devin McNeill placed himself in a difficult position last fall. Despite having only kicked a handful of extra points and a few field goals during his senior year at Portland High School, the former soccer standout walked on with the University of Maine… Read More
Hans Romer, the tennis director at the Portland Country Club in Falmouth, has been named the new women’s tennis coach at the University of Southern Maine, the Gorham institution announced Monday. Romer, who coached the men’s and women’s programs at Colby College in Waterville on… Read More
Our oldest son Scott is a graduate student in Boston, studying to be an architect. We are proud of him, and he also provides Dad with the mood of a city when pivotal franchise moves are made for his favorite sports teams. Like the Red… Read More
Matt and Co. show Jays ‘Stairs to Success’ They put on their “Blue Collar” uniforms, pack their “lunch buckets” and show up every game ready to play. When it’s all over, they “leave it all on the field” and, more often than not, give the… Read More
BANGOR – Although the members of the Cartersville, Ga., team elected to bypass sightseeing and concentrate on baseball during their stay in Bangor for the Senior League World Series, the Pine Tree State certainly made an impression on the newly crowned world champions and their fans. Read More
Whether you hunt or fish, or even spend much time in the Maine woods, it’s easy to find chances to appreciate our abundant wildlife. At certain times of the year, many of our wild critters are quite apparent and put on an impressive show for… Read More
JERICHO, Vt. – Russell Currier of Stockholm placed second in a men’s 10-kilometer roller-ski sprint competition Friday in the U.S. Summer Biathlon Festival at Camp Ethan Allen. Currier, a 2006 Caribou High graduate and biathlon junior world championship team member, hit eight of 10 targets. Read More
This is going to be a year with one of the best finishes in major league baseball – if you like lots of teams in the running. Since the creation of division play, there have never been this many teams this close to a playoff spot in every… Read More
BANGOR – A ticket to watch the top two Senior League baseball teams in the world battle for the World Series title just got cheaper. Senior League World Series tournament director Mike Brooker announced ticket prices for Saturday’s 3 p.m. series final will be $5,… Read More
By 8 a.m. the temperature was already 82 degrees and the air was so dense each breath felt like inhaling from a warm mist vaporizer. Rays from the sun rebounded from the water’s surface as well as beating down from a cloudless sky overhead, making me feel as… Read More