100 years ago, 1909

A mechanical refrigeration machine which cools by the direct expansion of ammonia system is being installed at the packing house of J. P. Sutton & Company of New Auburn. This is the first plant of the kind to be installed in the state, it is believed, and great things are expected of it. The cost of operating will be much less than the old way of using ice, it is thought.

50 years ago, 1959

Dispatcher Maurice L. Landry of the Lewiston Fire Department has taken considerable ribbing since he returned recently from a fishing trip in the Moosehead Lake region. Landry and a companion, Rosaire Croteau of Lewiston, were out in the middle of a lake when the boat’s motor conked out, Landry started to paddle but gave up after making little headway in the choppy water. They eventually were able to get towed to shore by a passing boat. As the dispatcher explains it, the fuel mixture wasn’t just right and that is why the motor wouldn’t run anymore.
Also on the trip was Fire Inspector Aldorien Landry, who stayed ashore on this particular boat ride.

25 years ago, 1984

Lewiston’s Central Maine Medical Center will increase overall charges to patients by 2 percent for its fiscal year beginning Sunday despite considerably higher increases in the prices of goods and services purchased by the medical center. CMMC President William W. Young Jr. said Wednesday that in spite of cutbacks in governmental reimbursements and other inflationary pressures, the increase will be the lowest in several years.