100 Years Ago: 1918

Androscoggin appears to be the only county in Maine in which anything resembling an active campaign is being held. Of course, this is because Mr. McGillicuddy is the only candidate for Congress the Democrats have the slightest hope of “putting over.” “‘Rally? Not much!” was the statement recently made in Bangor to a Lewiston Journal reporter. “Nothing of the kind down here. A stranger would never know there was an election coming.”

50 Years Ago: 1968

Harry W. Woodard. Jr., executive director of the Auburn Housing Authority, reported today that work on pouring of concrete for the third deck of the building has started. Work on pouring of the second deck on the two wings of the new building was completed late last week and construction crews immediately began setting up the forms for the third story. According to Woodard, the third floor of the main part of the building was poured today and the third story on each of the two wings will be poured next week. Woodard said he has been informed by the contractor that the firm plans to have the six-story structure capped off by the end of October so that work can be done inside during the cold weather months. The structure, the Lake Auburn House, will contain 100 units and is the city’s first housing for the elderly project.

25 Years Ago: 1993

Country superstar Willie Nelson warmed the hearts and hands of an 18-year-old boy and his mother this weekend, making a dream come true. Neil Weston and his mother Gail of South Rumford met Nelson after his concert Sunday night at Sugarloaf-USA. Weston, a senior at Mountain Valley High School, has been suffering from cystic fibrosis for most of his life. Avid Nelson fans, the Westons gained two free tickets and backstage passes through Nelson’s agent. But Sunday the family — including father Norman — was on pins and needles wondering if or when they’d get to meet Willie. At first, the family was told they would be meeting Nelson just before the show but as the performance time drew near, plans were changed to after the show. After what seemed like days, the Westons were met by Franklin “Chip” Carey, of Sugarloaf-USA, and told that Nelson was requesting that they be brought aboard his 40-foot luxury custom bus as his special guests.

The material in Looking Back is reproduced exactly as it originally appeared, although misspellings and errors may be corrected.