100 years ago, 1912
It is Circus Day in Lewiston with bands, elephants and clowns galore. A “tent city” rose at the circus grounds at the junction of Central Avenue and Ash Street where the Barnum and & Bailey circus is to perform for one day. The parade through downtown streets was wonderful. First came ten gorgeous heralds and a marvelous bandwagon pulled by 24 beautiful horses. Then the big gold, red and yellow wagons with real open cages containing big, fierce death-dealing beasts of all sorts: 12 tigers, 18 lions, four leopards, six hyenas. Some closed wagons with signs declaring they contained the two-horned rhinoceros and “The Blood-Sweating Behemoth of Holy Writ.” Next were two four-horse chariots and a big wagon with two knights rescuing a maiden from a glittering wooden dragon. Then, about 20 lumbering camels and riders. Finally, the greatest joy of all — 30 great shuffling elephants, some with houdas carrying beautiful ladies.

50 years ago, 1962
“The people have given the word and we’ll close on Sundays,” Richard Falnzbaum, manager and part owner of the Fantastic Fair in Auburn, said today. Auburn voters yesterday failed to approve new and relaxed Blue Laws for the city which would have allowed more stores to do business on Sundays. He added, “I’m anxious to see if there will be equal treatment under the provisions of the law. Was this a vote to close the Fantastic Fair, or was it a vote to outlaw all illegal Sunday sales in Auburn? I’m anxious to see what the county attorney will do.”

25 years ago, 1987
Moments after the 3 p.m. bell sounded on Wednesday, June 17, the Frye School on Horton Street in Lewiston closed for the final time in its 121-year history. After years of discussion, the Lewiston School Committee in December voted to close Frye. The building lacks the gym, cafeteria and facilities of more modern schools. Most of the school’s 125 third-, fourth- and fifth-graders will go to the Montello and Multi-Purpose Center schools next year.