Coach Danny Alvino with L-R: Roger Durant, Johnny Demers, Gene Savage and Charlie Caramihalis. Kneeling: Francis Mayo and John Maher
Credit: Sanford Tribune
By Lawrence Furbish
While not on the front page, the picture above of Sanford High School returning lettermen was probably the most interesting photo in the September 14, 1950, edition of the Sanford Tribune. We are not sure of the others, but Roger Durant is still very much alive and active in the Sanford-Springvale Rotary Club and on the board of the Sanford Water District.
The front page contained election news as Carl Broggi was selected to the State Senate. Broggi was a local businessman who ran a newspaper distribution business. He later was instrumental in establishing the Chamber of Commerce and attracting new business to town after the closure of the mills. Governor Edmund Muskie appointed him the first commissioner of the new Department of Development and Industry and Commerce. He died of a heart attack in March of 1965. The next year, he was honored by the state legislature which passed a law naming the section of Route 111 from Biddeford to Alfred and the section of Route 202 from Alfred to the New Hampshire border the C. J. Broggi Memorial Highway.
In other election news, the voters of Sanford sent a mixed message regarding their views on drinking as they passed some alcohol related provisions but defeated others. The Tribune described it as the town getting wetter and dryer at the same time. A Sanford or Springvale tippler could visit a state liquor store or purchase beer to take out from a licensed store, but cocktail lounges, beer parlors, and taverns for “stand up drinking for men only” were prohibited.
Reading this article today, one might wonder why an election was held in September rather than November. Voters approved a change to the State Constitution on September 9, 1957, ending the 137-year tradition of elections being on the second Monday in September. The September date had been set to accommodate farmers, coming between late summer and early fall harvests. It gave rise to the sometimes-inaccurate saying, “As Maine goes, so goes the nation.” The change brought Maine into line with the rest of the nation and the first November election was held in 1960.
The Sanford Drive-in promoted that their shows began at dusk, rain or moon. One would think watching a movie at the drive-in during a rainstorm would be difficult with the windshield wipers constantly in action. The movie showing that week was White Heat with James Cagney.
The First National store advertised a jar of mayonnaise for 35 cents, two cans of baked beans for 37 cents, and a dozen eggs for 35 cents.
Lawrence Furbish is president of the Sanford-Springvale Historical Society and the Sweat Morin Homestead. The Historical Society Museum in Springvale has many resources regarding Sanford’s history. It is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
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