100 years ago, 1909

For the first real skating of the year, Sabattus Pond was crowded with skaters and ice boats Saturday and Sunday, many people coming from Lewiston and Auburn, and a few from Gardiner.

The pond is covered with nearly half a foot of clear black ice. The pond froze over Thursday, but very few people ventured on until Saturday and from that time until late Sunday evening, there were over 500 people who tried the skating.

50 years ago, 1959

The drum and bugle corps of local snowshoe clubs participated in a parade Saturday night, followed by a social event at the Pastime Club. Parading were the Pastime, Le Montagnard and Jacques Cartier clubs of Lewiston and Calumet Club of Augusta. The Pastime unit recently won first place in a Maine drum and bugle corps competition at Biddeford.

25 years ago, 1984

Uncle Sam is apparently willing to play Santa Claus for the Auburn-Lewiston Municipal Airport and grant the airport’s wish for funding toward an $800,000 runway rehabilitation project.

The airport had not expected to get any federal capital improvement money in 1985, but airport manager Jeffrey Gongoll told the board of directors Wednesday that the Federal Aviation Administration has indicated it will consider providing 90 percent matching funds for the runway project.