• A brand new swindle has been worked on Maine farmers. A glib canvasser has been vaccinating trees to protect them from the ravages of insects. Ten cents a tree was the price, and his process consisted of boring a small hole in the trunk and putting in a little white powder.

• A movement is afoot among the residents of Orrs and Baileys islands to have the two islands connected by the construction of a bridge over Willis Gut, so-called. The people of the two islands claim that the bridge is almost a necessity and say that they pay enough taxes to the town of Harpswell to have it built. Residents of the islands are planning to go before the next town meeting and to ask that the bridge be built next year.

50 years ago, 1957

• President Eisenhower gave assurances today that the United States next March will launch a satellite scientifically superior to the one the Russians now have spinning through space. The first of a series of smaller preliminary test satellites will go up even earlier, in December.

The President said the United States “could have produced an orbiting … satellite before now” and beaten the Soviets in the first conquest of distant space. But, he said, this country isn’t in any satellite race.

• During the fiscal year ending last June 30, Maine citizens filed 733 cases under the Federal Bankruptcy Act, the biggest number in history.

25 years ago, 1982

Auburn police recently impounded two 10-speed bicycles after they were operated without headlights on Auburn streets. The bikes, because they were being ridden by juveniles, were impounded for 10 days.

Although Lewiston and Auburn police officials admit bicycle infractions are not the most heinous crimes, they will impound bicycles and, more rarely, fine bicyclists if they are found to be blatantly violating state and local laws. Under state statutes, bicyclists must operate under the same laws that regulate motor vehicles.