100 Years Ago: 1918

Mayor Lemaire stated to the Journal Friday afternoon that acting in his capacity of the city’s chief executive, he will fight the petition of the Lewiston Gaslight Co. for permission to increase its rates from $1.30 to $1.60 per thousand feet. “I have asked Judge Brann, who is thoroughly familiar with the matter, to represent the city,” said the mayor, “and we will put tip the strongest legal battle we know how. I believe it can continue charging its present rates and do very well indeed. I understand that Judge Brann is prepared to give time and attention to this matter from now until the hearing and the city will be thoroughly prepared.” Judge Brann replied that he had nothing to say at this time, but intimated that he may make a statement later.

50 Years Ago: 1968

The International Snowshoe Congress Committee, meeting in Lewiston over the weekend for the second time in its history, chose the Twin Cities as the site of the International Snowshoe Congress in 1970. This decision is in line with the thinking of Gov. Kenneth M. Curtis, who recently requested that Lewiston-Auburn be the site of the Congress to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the Pine Tree State. The congress meeting will be held under the auspices of the Maine Snowshoe Union. The meeting was held Saturday afternoon at the Pastime Club on Cedar Street and the committee of eleven Canadians and two Americans chose Gerard Berard of Sherbrooke, Que., president of the Canadian Snowshoe Union, to preside.

25 Years Ago: 1993

The Robin Dow Seniors gathered recently at the American Legion Hall on Washington Street for a business meeting with John Telow presiding. Chaplain Helmi Karkos led the devotions. Reports were given and accepted from officers and committee chairmen. Two new members, Warren and Kathleen McCulloch, were received. Members are urged to bring articles for the auction on Sept. 22. Anne Downes and Katherine Menneally won attendance prizes and Seth Taylor, Yvette Mercier and Bernice Parks were pot-of-gold winners. Other prizes went to Clyde Brackley, Birdena Whittle, Ruth Strom, Albro Pratt, Pearl Simmons, Rita Marquis, John Murphy, Viola McOilvery, Lucy Cowles, Muriel Lipham, Frances Wentworth, Clara Pike, Lawrence Menneally, Hilda Marshall, Dick Simmons, Katherine Menneally, Ada Williams, Laura Williams, Shirley Blanchard, Nelson Edwards, Yvette Mercier, Bernice Parks, Helmi Karkos, Harvey Lipham, Frances Robitaille and Leah Wright. Fern Asselin and daughters entertained after a bag lunch. Berkley Hobart will be presenting slides of the Greene bicentennial at the Sept. 8 meeting.

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