100 years ago, 1916
Hundreds of people rushed to the vicinity of the International Paper Company’s Rumford plant Sunday evening at a few minutes after 6, when both the mill and the town fire departments were summoned to fight a stubborn blaze which originated in some manner as yet unknown in either the wood room or the boiler room. Two alarms were sounded, and twelve or more lines of hose were used on the fire. During the fire a Maine Central engine backed up and drew a line of cars loaded with pulp logs out of possible danger. A man rushing to the fire fell Into the canal but as soon as he could scramble out he kept on running toward his destination. Clouds of smoke poured out of the mill, keeping the interest of the people at a lively pitch, but the blaze was all kept inside the mill, and was in a department unusually difficult to cope with. It was two hours later when the “all out” was sounded.

50 years ago, 1966
Lovely young ladies and their handsome beaux in formal attire, had a magic evening last night at the two local high school proms dancing in “Oriental Gardens” at the Lewiston High prom and in an “Enchanted Forest” at the Edward Little prom. For the LHS formal the Lewiston Memorial Armory was decorated with Japanese lanterns, pagodas and fans and the usherettes were dressed in Oriental outfits, both modern and ancient. The multi-purpose room of ELHS became an enchanted forest for the dance there. A gingerbread house, looking nearly good enough to eat, was the focal point in the decorations which also included papier-mache animals, trees and a large mural.

25 years ago, 1991
Drawing on an outdoor setting for inspiration, high school students from around western and southern Maine Tuesday will participate in the regional competition of the Second annual Maine Envirothon at Beaver Pond Park in Lisbon. Fourteen five-member teams, representing a dozen high schools, will test their knowledge of soils, water resources, forestry, wildlife and other environmental issues, according to Jim Chandler, the event’s chairman.

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