The big skylight in Pillsbury block at Pine and Lisbon streets is being roofed over. The end of the roof near Pine street at the rear, will also be built out two feet so that the rain will run in, instead out down into the alley. This will make a great improvement as whenever there has been a rain storm, the alley way has been flooded by the water running from the roof.

50 Years Ago, 1955

The National Aeronautic Assn. confirmed today that an Air Force jet fighter has set the world’s first official speed record for an airplane flying faster than sound. Col. Horace A. Hanes, director of flight test at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., flew a North American F100C Super Sabre at a speed of more than 800 miles an hour over Southern California last Saturday. The flight was first reported by the Los Angeles Times Saturday.

Many jet planes have exceeded the speed of sound, and rocket craft have flown more than twice the speed of sound. But heretofore there has been no way of timing the flights accurately. Specially designed cameras and clocking equipment used for the first time recorded Hanes’ flight.

25 Years Ago, 1980

Most Mainers seldom consider the export market as being significant to this state, yet it not only is important, it is becoming more so.

Last year, Gov. Joseph E. Brennan headed a special trade mission to The Netherlands. In November of this year, he plans a second European trip, this time to West Germany and Switzerland. Maine wood products, electrical equipment and machinery are among the principal items to be promoted.

The impact on the state’s economy is evident from the fact that in 1978 (the latest figures available) exports rose 4 percent to $430 million, according to the State Development Office. During that year 4,000 jobs in the state were attributed to exporting of our products.