100 years ago: 1918

The telephone operators at the Lewiston exchange of the N. E. Tel. Co. found themselves in a whirlwind rush about the time the first news of Germany’s acceptance of President Wilson’s note reached the cities. The “attack” had not been anticipated and the usual office force of operators was completely smothered with calls. Calls were coming in by the hundreds and while the young ladies worked at lightning speed, they were unable to give a quick service loyal subscribers are accustomed to receiving. The reason was plain enough when we considered for a moment the situation. The E.O.S. was sent out, and in a short time, a large corps of operators were at the switchboard keeping the wires hot and quickening the service. It is said the avalanche of calls handled from 10 to 12 last night eclipsed all previous records for a similar period, at the local exchange.

50 years ago: 1968

Miss Antonia Goranitis of Auburn will present the program at the Androscoggin Chapter of the University of Maine Alumnae Association scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16, at the North Turner home of Mrs. Paul Varney. Miss Goranitis will speak on her recent trip to Greece and the program will be illustrated with colored slides taken by her of that country. Following the program and a brief business session, refreshments will be served by the Turner members of the association.

25 years ago: 1993

Despite a fiery catastrophe only a week before, The Silver Dollar Band burnt up a Nashville, Tenn., stage last weekend and will journey home to Maine with a $10,000 recording contract. Performing a smoking medley comprised of three songs off their latest album, “The Buck Stops Here,” the local country favorites found themselves chatting with record execs and signing autographs by midnight Saturday. Bassist Dee Dustin was incredulous as the announcement came — they took first place out of 110 other acts from all over the country in the contest sponsored by Don Reed’s Productions, a Nashville-based promoter. “Everyone was numb. We were beside ourselves. We didn’t know how to handle it,” said Dustin, of Lewiston, from a Nashville hotel room Monday afternoon, two days after the contest. “I was hoping I wouldn’t pass out,” said Jack Cox, frontman and lead vocalist. In fact, the three judges, country music producers, gave the 12-year veterans on the Central Maine country music scene the highest rating ever earned by a band in the contest, according to Carrie Callis, a contest organizer. In addition to the recording contract, which will yield a professionally-produced cassette single, the band won an appearance on the Grand Ole Opry show Dec. 5, when they’ll perform an original country Christmas tune.

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