100 years ago, 1909

The work of paving hospital square and Sabattus Street, from Main to Oak streets, is progressing well. The construction is similar to that of the streets of Providence R.I., which is famous for its good roads. It is built by laying a foundation of crushed rock of various sizes, surfaced with a mixture of coal tar and asphalt.

50 years ago, 1959

A nine-foot sunflower — that’s nothing at all, according to Adrien G. Cote, of Rockhill Ave., Auburn.

“I’ve got one that is 11 feet 4 inches tall.” he said.

Cote, who noticed a picture of a nine-foot sunflower in the newspaper, immediately went out and got up on a stool on top of a barrel and had his son hold the tape while he measured the largest sunflower in his garden.

Cote, who has never grown any sunflowers before, said he wonders if the one in his garden is the tallest in the Twin City area.

25 years ago, 1984

Jessica Lee Lemieux of Lewiston was a contestant recently in the Ocean Festival Mini-Miss Contest held in California. Among the 50 contestants who entered, Jessica was the fourth runner-up. She received a trophy, banner, teddy bear and silver charm. Jessica, 4, is a majorette for local snowshoe clubs. Prior to winning this title, she was Miss Universal Beauty, also held in California. Jessica is visiting her aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Danny Emond, in California.