University of Maine - Prism Yearbook (Orono, ME)

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The two say they've also received Christmas cards from all over the country from former students. The UMaine staff is not excluded from their list of acquired friendships. We laugh with the professors, too, Thibideau said. One of our favorites is Curly—that’s a nick- name we gave him. They also say that changes in student attitudes have been dramatic. Thibideau believes students are much more con- servative today. Back in the 60’s and 70’s, boy,” Nadeau said shaking her head, back then, even the professors came in with the candles and casket .burning flags and raising havoc. There’s never been a dull moment. Thibideau nodded in agreement. Nothing surprises us anymore.’’ Nadeau said, “but some of them still get pretty wild...we have to tum our heads twice and ask each other,' what boat did she come off?’’’ Laughter. Becauscof the time they've been he re. Thibideau claims they deserve a diploma. With all the historical recollections Thibideau and Nadeau have of UMaine. perhaps they should get a diploma. “We could write a book better ‘n Payton Place. Thibideau announced proudly. She recalled a time in the 1970's when the dorms had yet to tum co-ed. Students used to stay on campus on their time- off back then and we were real busy,” Nadeau said glancing at Thibideau. When Nadeau mentioned the “notorious stair- well five.” Thibideau rolled her eyes.’That was the place for making whoopy. Nadeau explained. Students used to have a swingin' time down at the Bear’s Den, too, Nadeau recalled. One particular evening in the 1970's stuck out in her mind. “All of a sudden they started to break dishes— breaking anything they could get their hands on,” Nadeau said. The crowd was so rowdy, she explained, that the effort to stop them was futile. So. Nadeau and the other workers decidedto just hand them the dishes. There was also a girl doing a striptease act in the comer. said Nadeau. By the end of the evening, the whole den floor was white with broken glass, she said. Nadeau, however, has pulled a few pranks herself. Thibideau said. She cited a time when a student asked Nadeau to break a $20 bill for him. She took the bill, tore it into four pieces, and handed it back tohim. Thibideau said. Hecouldn’t believed she'd done that. Asked if the story were true, Nadeau smiled and told of another instance when a student asked her to change a dollar bill for him. She opened the register and exchanged his bill for another dollar bill. At his exasperated look. Nadeau said she simply rcplied. Wcll, you asked me to change your dollar bill. Both laughed again. Actually, they laugh a lot. And. after 20 years the friendship has flour- ished. said Thibideau. They've gotten to know one another so well that a mere look between the two and a message has been passed from one to the other without a word having been uttered...a very handy talent for two self-proclaimed people watchers.

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The Newsstand - People - Watchers Louise Nadeau and Jean Thibideau may not be recognizable by name, but their jobs at the University of Maine have probably given them the chance to meet practi- cally every person on campus. The ladies behind the L-shapcd newsstand in the Memorial Union may not know their customers by name cither, but they often know before hand exactly what the purchases are going to be. The regulars—we have a lot—they often come two. maybe three, limes a day. Thibideau said. They come so often we know what kind of cigarettes, candy, or newspaper they're going to buy. Sometimes we have to say.‘bye-bye. we're sick of waitin' on ya' and put out thcout- to-lunch sign. said Nadeau laughing. Nadeau has been on the university pay roll for 28 years and 22 of those have been spent behind the newsstand. I love it here. she said, but admits she's ready to retire after 42 years of being in the work force. Just three years and three months left to go. Nadeau had no trouble planning her re- tirement agenda. What am I going to do? she asked leaning forward. I plan to sit on my ass and do nothing. They both laughed. Thibideau said she started in 1970 and plans to stay on indefinitely. Because they've been at the newsstand so long, both say they've seen many changes and have gotten to know many of the students. We're surprised at the number of old students who come back to say hello. Thibideau said. They bring their children, who are sometimes 10 to 12 years old. and it seems so strange. 4» m. as by Doris Ryqqlski Louise Nadeau and Jean Thibideau, There's never been a dull moment, said Thibideau. Two Memorial Union women who have seen a lot of swingin and rowdiness over the past 20 years while pirched at their newsstand post.

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Campus Construction College Avenue widening proje I begun by Steve Miliano Staff Writer University of Maine students and faculty members who drive to campus are now faced with another delay. The project of widening College Avenue has begun, and motorists have been advis- ed to allot themselves a little extra time to get to get to their destinations. For the past two weeks construction crews from H.E. Sargent Inc., a local construction company, have been digg- ing trenches on the sides of the road and installing a new drainage system. This is one of the first steps in the pro- cess of widening the road, according to Stephen Wight, the company’s project superintendent. When finished. College Avenue will be a 40-foot wide paved road with a sidewalk on the side of the road nearest the university. Wight said. The new drainage system is being in- stalled on both sides of College Avenue from Munson Road to the Orono-OId Town line. “W will be putting in new drainage pipes down (almost) the full length of the job, Wight said. “We expect to have all drainage done in about 10 weeks. ” Wight said work crews have done their best to keep traffic flowing as smoothly as possible During the day flaggers keep one-way traffic moving around the con- struction area, but at night both lanes are reopened. “We have had very few complaints about delays, Wight said. “I don’t think any car has been delayed more than five minutes. ’’ The Maine Department of Transpor- tation awarded the contract for the widening of College Avenue to Sargent last winter after putting the project out for bids. “They got the contract with a bid of $926,770,” said Ralph Emery, a resi- dent engineer with the MDOT. Wight said. “Bangor Hydro had to do the whole job including putting in new poles and doing the overhead wiring, ’’ he said. Emery described the widening project as “fairly complicated because crews have several obstacles to avoid. One problem that crews face is the possibility of digging up underground telephone lines. “We have to be careful of hitting the .«da» 'it ' ! MfiBk S!-' MabK’besid Wight’s company will be doing all ot the major road work, but will be subcon- tracting for the paving portion of the project. Construction started as soon as the ground dried and Bangor Hydro-Electric Co. transferred power lines to new poles, 30