100 years ago, 1916
“Some people thought I might have an attack of cold feet after Tuesday’s accident,” said Prof. Bennett after he had returned to the fairgrounds from yesterday’s successful ascension. Those more familiar with the Professor knew that, provided a parachute and a balloon, he would make the flight as scheduled. Yesterday’s ascension was without incident, the wind carrying the aeronaut off toward the city and then back toward the grounds. With the parachute released the balloon went up above the clouds and out of sight. Prof. Bennett came down without accident on the east side of Main Street between King Avenue and Montello Street, and his balloon landed in a cucumber patch a short distance away.

50 years ago, 1966
(Photo Caption) Members of the Lewiston Fire Department are pictured giving “old faithful,” the LFD’s old obsolete pumper, a tune-up in preparation for Saturday’s third annual Maine State Federation of Fire Fighters Convention which will be held at Waterville. The old pumper will be Lewiston’s entry in a gigantic afternoon parade. Pictured working on the Pumper, left to right, are Privates Donald Bolduc, Robert Dionne and Ronald Levesque,

25 years ago, 1991
Farmington merchants and community leaders are divided in assessing the potential business effects of a proposed Wal-Mart department store, which the town Planning Board will begin considering at 7 p.m. Monday. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is seeking town and state approval to build a $3.8 million department store, restaurant and bank on property opposite the Mount Blue Shopping Center on Routes 2 and 4. Some local merchants fear that Wal-Mart, which is now the nation’s largest retailer in sales volume, would use its muscle to squeeze out small local competitors. But others argue that a new department store would benefit other area businesses by drawing shoppers from a wide area to Farmington.

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