BOSTON – At the bicycle races at the Park Square coliseum tonight James Moran of Chelsea won the principal event of the evening, the 10-mile open professional race, his time being 24 minutes 54 2/5th seconds.

• A unique surprise party suggestive of the primitive days was given for Mrs. Sarah Merrill of Auburn last evening at her home, 173 Main St.. Fifteen relatives representing eight families gathered at her house at about 8 o’clock, each lady carrying a bag of meal or a piece of salt fish. When all had gathered, Mrs. Merrill was requested to make an old-fashioned hasty pudding, which was served piping hot with salt fish and apple cake. A jolly time was enjoyed by all until a late hour.

50 years ago, 1957

• Gas prices at two Washington Street and Court Street stations are 29.9 for regular and 32.9 for high test, both increased three cents yesterday.

• A suggested change in the proposed ordinance on the pickup of garbage by unlicensed collectors was deemed “discriminatory” by Lewiston Corporation Council Lewis Scolnik who met last night with the board of health and welfare. The proposed ordinance would make it unlawful for any person to give garbage to an unlicensed collector. This was rejected by the City Fathers who felt individual citizens might be hurt by the law while establishments, such as supermarkets and restaurants, were the ones to be regulated.

25 years ago, 1982

A new effort is under way at the Maine Legislature to permit Maine’s larger retail establishments to do business on Sunday’s during the busy Christmas shopping season, and we urge the state’s legislators to give the proposal serious consideration.

Dollars which are important to Maine and to its people are being spent by Maine residents in New Hampshire and in Massachusetts during each gift-buying season, and this is a pity.

Legislation would permit all Maine business establishments to make their wares available to shoppers the Sundays between Thanksgiving and Christmas, as the smaller stores are permitted to do now.