100 years ago, 1913
Following the breaking up of the ice above the dam at the Lewiston falls in the Androscoggin river Tuesday evening, the rise of water became rapid and Wednesday morning was seven feet above normal and one foot more than the average spring freshet. The greatest effect of Tuesday’s rain was felt Wednesday afternoon, the rise continuing gradually. Expert judges of the river conditions do not expect disaster to property. The gauge at the Union water power company, which assumed height of the old dam as 70 feet and reckoning with that as a starting point, registered 77 Wednesday. The record made at the time the wooden bridges were carried out in 1896, the register was 88.

50 years ago, 1963
Lepages’s Bakery on Second Street in New Auburn apparently was visited by an “honorable thief” sometime during the night. H. Garnier of the firm called police today to report that someone had broken into the building during the night. Garnier advised police that nothing appeared to be missing except two 10 cent cakes, for which the thief left 20 cents.

25 years ago, 1988
Romada Moccasin Co. of Auburn has filed a petition for Chapter 11 with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in an effort to save the 10-year-old company. “The company expects to continue to operate its manufacturing facility with the full complement of over 160 employees,” said Alan Wainberg, chief executive officer. The company was founded in Greene in the late 1970s and is now located at 67 Minot Ave., Auburn. Wainberg said Romada expects to expand its workforce “and will reach a 1,200 pair-per-day capacity.” The challenge, he said, will be finding experienced craftspeople.

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