100 years ago, 1916
Yesterday’s visit to the markets showed some excellent vegetables, among them large plump cranberries at 13 cents a quart, 2 quarts for 25 cents Spanish and silver skin onions at five cents a pound. There is still an opportunity for making a few more squash pies, for squashes still remain in the market, very good for so late in the season, at 4 cents a pound. Large crispy heads of lettuce are marked 10 cents. Cucumbers are the same price. Choice chicken and fowl, the former 26 cents and 26 cents, the latter 20 cents and 22 cents, are a good selection for Sunday’s dinner. Lamb is high this week, legs 22 cents, forequarters, 18 cents.

50 years ago, 1966
A pilot food stamp plan for Androscoggin County may result in an increase in grocery purchases of more than $1 million per year, it was stated today by the sponsor of a bill which would make the food stamp plan possible here. State Rep. Louis Jalbert, D-Lewiston, noted that his bill to authorize the food stamp project in Androscoggin County was approved in the House of Representatives on Wednesday of this week by two-to-one margin.

25 years ago, 1991
More than 50 Gray residents tied ribbons to the bare branches of a crabapple tree in front of the town office Monday afternoon in a community gathering attended by town representatives, members of the local American Legion chapter and officiated by the Rev. Phil Andrucaitis of Bethany Baptist Church to express hope and remembrance for loved ones serving in the Persian Gulf. The ceremony began with the tying of ribbons with the names of the 22 individuals from Gray and New Gloucester area who are presently serving in the gulf, but more Gray residents added bows in remembrance of friends and relatives from other towns.

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