100 years ago, 1916
Continued rain and fog for several days has seriously interfered with automobile touring and has resulted in making many of the unimproved roads slippery and muddy. Throughout the state the roads are reported to be improving, and the rough conditions which resulted from the long continued early summer rains are gradually disappearing. Road work is now in full swing.

50 years ago, 1966
A quick trip to a small island located near the middle of Lake Auburn today revealed that a previously reported problem of dead seagulls in the area is non-existent, for the time being at least. A Journal reporter boarded a small boat with two employees of the Maine Fish and Game Department this morning for the short trip across the water to the small outcropping of rock. Earlier this year, it was revealed that gulls were apparently using the island as a roosting place late last summer and during the fall and the mortality rate was reported as extremely high.

25 years ago, 1991
If you live in Auburn and you think you have a high quarterly water bill, you might want to check out 33 other Maine communities. In a recent survey of 34 water districts from around the state, Auburn’s water rates ranked second lowest. And, if a proposed rate hike is approved for the Portland Water District, Auburn will top the list for lowest rates.

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