Although 70 years old, John Nickerson of Rumford Junction braved the storm and going out into the woods cut and carried back to the house a fine Christmas tree which he brought into the city for his grandchildren, Masters Lincoln and Bruce Haskell of Vine street, Auburn, who have presented it to the Orphans Home on Main street. The tree will be enjoyed this evening by the five orphans who are at the home.

50 Years Ago, 1955

“Uncle Sam Wants You.” This slogan seen on recruiting posters applies to a person or persons in this area. But, in a somewhat different sense.

Wilbert R. Estabrook, a recruiting officer from Fort Williams, Portland, reported to Rumford police, that a wheel and tire had been stolen from an official U.S. Army auto sometime.

However, perhaps in order to alleviate the wrath of the U.S. Army, or perhaps in a display of the true Christmas spirit, the thieves thoughtfully replaced the stolen wheel and tire with an old wheel and a badly bruised tire.

Estabrook told police that the theft had been discovered while the machine was parked on River Street. The case is under investigation.

25 Years Ago, 1980

If you’ve ever wondered exactly what happens with those dimes, quarters and dollars you throw into the Salvation Army kettle or the used toys you leave in its bins at Christmas time, have no fear, they are put to good use.

This year, more than 300 Lewiston-Auburn children would have awakened to a bleak Christmas were it not for the Salvation Army.

According to Capt. Robert Quinn of the Salvation Army in Lewiston, 210 area households received assistance from the organization this Christmas.

Quinn said that 1,800 used toys were donated to the Salvation Army in the past few weeks.