SABATTUS – The skating on the pond this past week was the best that it has been for a number of years. The ice was as smooth as glass and a large number of people took advantage of it. Sunday, especially, a large crowd was out, and the ice was well covered with people.

WASHINGTON – Andrew Carnegie has added the sum of $2,000,000 to the $10,000,000 endowment endowment fund of the Carnegie’s Institute. This announcement was made tonight at a dinner of the board of trustees of the institute to which had been invited a number of scientists and men prominent in public affairs.

50 years ago, 1957

AUGUSTA – The Maine Turnpike Authority attorney said today the Authority fears interstate highway construction planned in southern Maine may “severely affect” turnpike toll revenue. He said the Authority has fallen more than $2 million below estimated net income in the past two years.

NEW YORK – Eighty-two million Americans were confined to bed by upper respiratory infections at some time between July 1 and Nov. 9. The infections included pneumonia and influenza.

25 years ago, 1982

RUMFORD – Town residents are the latest in Maine to seek a solution to the special problems posed by the increasingly popular video games, and one can only sympathize as the community struggles to find a proper solution. It will not be easy.

The games, popular with young and old, are viewed as a threat by many. There is a widespread feeling that the young, like the race track addict who spends the family’s grocery money at the parimutuel windows, are feeding money intended for other more worthwhile purposes into the machines.

Here in Rumford a petition bearing 400 signatures called on the board of selectmen to draft an ordinance which would restrict use of the games by those 15 years of age and under, and the suggestion was advanced that youngsters not be permitted to play during school hours.