100 years ago, 1915
Over 275 couples had the joy of the Shrine ball for 1915 — the best ball ever in Kora Temple, Lewiston. The crisp, starlight, mid-winter night was ideal, some improvement over that memorable night in 1914 when the thermometer registered several miles below zero and everybody was “friz up” — the very coldest evening of the season. All day long the incoming trains brought their full quota and trolley cars from every direction were filled with Shriners and their ladies. Beginning at half after nine o’clock the banquet hall was open and people were continuously at the tables. Grant catered and the appointments were attractive, the things to eat delicious, and the service excellent.

50 years ago, 1965
The Thorne’s Corner Sewerage Project, the largest sewerage program ever undertaken by the City of Lewiston, is well underway. Workmen and heavy earth-moving equipment from Wyman & Simpson Company of Augusta, have made considerable progress in excavating the eight-acre pond which is located some 1,000 feet off the Randall Road. When completed, in the fall of this year, the pond along with other phases of the sewerage project will mean greater services to many more Lewiston homeowners.

25 years ago, 1990
Auburn city councilors Monday unanimously rejected an ordinance that would have eliminated a portion of their bimonthly meetings which allows citizens to speak out on issues. The proposal to drop open session from the council’s agendas has been under consideration for the past two months, after Mayor Richard L. Trafton proposed the change, which would have allowed citizens to still speak on issues, but only those already scheduled for discussion at the panel’s meetings. Citizens would have been allowed to have items of interest added to the agenda, although they would have had to make those arrangements before council meetings.

The material in Looking Back is reproduced exactly as it originally appeared, although misspellings and errors made at that time may be edited.