Tribute to Norbert X. Dowd-Bangor Chamber of Commerce 1968

In 1968 I, along with three friends, was breaking up with my boyfriend for the umpteenth time! After reading an article extolling the virtues of available men in Bangor, Maine, I shared this with my friends, and they all said "Let's go!" Hah....

Being a sensible person, I wrote to the Bangor Chamber of Commerce asking about the areas single male population, and opportunities for employment.... (I pictured myself as a secretary in a logging camp, jumping from one log to another to get home for lunch! Weeeeee!)

Here is the reply I received... so humorous, insightful, yet caring... that I kept it for 40 years now!

Dear Roberta:

Thank you for your intriguing and emotion filled letter of March 15th wherein you served as letter writer and thought expresser for three other lovely girls who are seeking greener pastures in which to search for a mate.

You also requested information on greener pastures for employment, but this seemed to be a by-product of your more interesting marital green pastures. On the employment situation, we believe that a person who has achieved experience and training in a given field, who sincerely wants to work and who would be loyal and dedicated to his work, will never be without work for any appreciable time. If you and your friends really meet the above qualifications then you might want to subscribe to the Bangor Daily News, 491 Main Street, for two weeks or a month to scan the employment situation indicated in the classified section. You might find some job opportunities to meet your desires.

However, do not give up your present job and come here to find employment. First, if you find something, write or call the prospective employer to set up an interview and to see whether or not you would like to become members of our fast growing Bangor Family. You would also want to consider the housing situation in Bangor before making a definite move.

Now regarding that "seeking-a-husband bit". We can't guarantee that you will find a heart throbbing male or males in these 'pastures' at any given time. True, we do have male men in this area who would make good husband material, but they might not meet what you girls have in mind for husbands. Do you think in adjective terms of tall, dark, handsome, intelligent, steady, rich, athletic - all rolled into one package? Or what are you thinking in terms of blue eyes, brown eyes, hazel eyes - upturned nose, ski nose, Roman nose or just plain flat nose? And what about temperament - even, mild, raucous, pleasing, fighting, jealous or what? And most important, are you thinking of love, infatuation or a stop gap in a period of frustration?

These are the questions our marital committee ask whenever four girls from Niagara Falls seek mates in our 'fertile green pastures'. And until we have the answers, we have no way to give freely of our advice.

So if you will fill us in on the above, we will then look around to see what percentage of young men here would fit into your plans.

But in the meantime, place your trust in Him who will guide you directly to that man with whom you will share your love and life forever and a day. He may be here in Bangor or he may be right near you in Niagara Falls. But He will have a hand in it, no matter and so I say to you lovely girls, talk to Him and ask Him to guide you and as sure as the water tumbles in might power over your wonder-of-the-world, He will find and direct that right young man to your waiting arms, your throbbing heart and your sacred love.

Very Sincerely,
Norbert X. Dowd ... Exec. Secretary - Bangor Chamber of Commerce

Long story short, I reunited with my boyfriend, my girlfriends turned out to be all "talk" and were "horrified" that I wrote to Bangor, and I continued to work as a secretary.

I often thought of the fresh air in Bangor, Maine... and that daring, compassionate Mr. Dowd who worked at the Chamber of Commerce.

Guess I should'a at least taken a vacation to Bangor! Hah.. With three friends in tow, of course... (Always think of safety!)

My friends... have a great day.... :)