An attempt was made to rob the safe of the Buxton and Hollis Savings Bank at West Buxton some time last night. The burglars blew off the combination knob and tore down a portion of the walls of the vault. Something frightened them when they were almost within reach of the bank’s securities, the most of which, however, had been deposited in a bank in Saco.

50 Years Ago, 1954

Recent commercial and industrial developments in Lewiston, including the erection of two bank buildings, gave impetus to the decision of the S. S. Kresge Co. to propose the expansion of its “five and dime” store at 60 Lisbon St. to Park Street, the local realtor who is handling the costly transaction revealed last night. Charles Levin of the Charles Levin Realty Corp. said extension of the store to Park Street will be started this spring.

25 Years Ago, 1979

Frivolities are apparently out and it’s going to be a no nonsense Christmas. Shoppers this year tend to be more practical declares Charles Sarchi, manager at Woolworth’s in the Cornwall Shopping Center at Paris. Items to beat the energy crunch are the big sellers, he says, listing slippers, regular and electric blankets and popular cuddly body warmers.

“It’s a good season however,” says Sarchi, and “way ahead of last year at this time.” The only difference, he notes, is the amount of layaways. “People are buying as they go along and then picking the merchandise up as they get the money.”

• One year it was chipmunks. Once it was singing dogs. This Christmas the big hit record just might be by the Shropshires, whose recording of “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” is selling like hotcakes around San Francisco.