It will be good news for the many people interested in the welfare and prosperity of the First Universalist Church, Lewiston, to know that Andrew Carnegie has offered to give $1000 toward a new organ for the church, providing that the society shall raise an equal amount. It is unnecessary to say that the news was received with much enthusiasm and the parish will device ways and means at once to secure the necessary funds to secure the organ.

50 Years Ago, 1955

Blessed with excellent weather the Auburn-Lewiston Winter Carnival got off to a flying start with skating and skiing events at Pettingill Park this morning. Dog sled races at Lake Auburn rounded out the afternoon as well as an ice show and hockey game at St. Dom’s arena and carnival goers were looking forward to the coronation ball at Webster Junior High School tonight. The carnival will windup tomorrow afternoon with another dog sled race around Lake Auburn.

25 Years Ago, 1980

A son, speaking for a Lewiston family business built on knowledge handed down generation to generation, stood in front and center at the State House this week, opposed to ending Maine’s state meat inspection program in favor of across-the-board federal inspection. “Grandad did it, his mother taught him. Dad did it. Now my brother does it, that’s the way it works.” Ray Mailhot of the E.W. Mailhot Sausage Co. explained, Tuesday, to a crowded public hearing conducted by the legislature’s Audit and Program Review Committee. “We do the best we can, and we get a good product.” Mailhot came in to voice concern that a committee recommendation to end Maine’s state meat inspection program – costing $112,000 to $114,000 in state money – will make doing business more difficult and more expensive for small meat processors throughout the state. “I believe the Feds are good people way down deep, like you and me,” Mailhot testified, ” but there’s less communication with them.