100 years ago, 1915
(Photo Caption) There are only fourteen school kiddies in Oquossoc, Maine, an unincorporated village in Rangeley, the place from which Santa Claus gets many of his Christmas trees, and they decided that Baby Sayre, President Wilson’s first grandchild, ought to have a Christmas tree befitting the dignity of a baby who can say to a President, “Hello, Granddaddy.” I. L. Meserve, a leading citizen of the town, who is reputed to be the “Christmas Tree King of America,” donated this fine twelve-foot tree and the kiddies have sent it along to the baby.

50 years ago, 1965
Maurice Morin will don his Santa Claus suit for the 18th consecutive year tonight and as a result, dozens of youngsters will have a Merry Christmas. Morin, a veteran Auburn police officer, has been acting as Santa many years “because it gives me a great deal of pleasure,” he says. On his list for tonight are some 16 homes which he has promised to visit. This is not a commercial venture — it’s just something that he likes to do and he expects nothing in return. “It’s fun,” he explained, going on to say that he doesn’t feel he’s giving as much as the pleasure he receives by seeing the youngsters so happy.

25 years ago, 1990
The Super 8 Motel at 1440 Lisbon St.. Lewiston, will participate in the chain’s 1991 Room at the Inn program, offering free accommodations on Christmas Eve to anyone visiting a friend or relative in a nursing home, veterans’ home, hospital or treatment center in the area. Approximately 400 Super 8 Motels nationwide will take part in the program, which translates into about 25,000 rooms. Mark Nason, manager of the Lewiston Super 8 Motel, said motel employees who will be working on Christmas deserve special credit for making the program a success.

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