100 years ago, 1913
La Graciosa, who will appear at Music Hall New Year’s day and the remainder of the week in a gorgeous spectacle, “Visions in Fairyland,” is a beautiful young woman who made the artistic world of Paris hum with praises of her incomparable figure, and who now returns to her native land as a vaudeville attraction of the first magnitude. She is displaying herself in a series of electro-scenic poses which will be especially pleasing to ladies and children. The production includes a number of exquisite hanging draperies, augmented by special music composed by Eshort Venner of New York.

50 years ago, 1963
An Auburn father and his four-year-old daughter were hospitalized early today as flames forced the family to flee their one-story frame home on Snow Avenue in Auburn, in below-zero temperatures. Reported in “fair” condition later at the Central Maine General Hospital was Rodney Benson, 36, of 12 Snow Avenue. His daughter, Robin, was said to be in “good condition.” Benson suffered severe burns about the hands and face when he heroically dashed bark into the blazing inferno three times in successful attempts to rescue his young children. As Benson returned from his third trip into the burning structure, his clothes were ablaze. The man quickly extinguished the flames by rolling himself in the snow. Robin reportedly suffered only minor burns. Benson, as he rescued members of his family, seven children included, took them to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Levesque. It was from the Levesque home that firemen were summoned at 3:17 a.m.

25 years ago, 1988
On New Year’s Eve, Lewiston-Auburn will celebrate with the sounds of jazz, the laughter of children and the satisfaction of a year well-ended. The chemical-free New Year’s Eve events will be held at the Lewiston Memorial Armory and Lewiston Junior High School. L/A Events is the sponsor of New Year’s L/A 89.