100 Years Ago: 1921

William Turgeon, the Auburn aviator, has dismantled his airplane and housed it for the winter. The horse-drawn plane, minus wings, attracted considerable attention as it was towed from the flying field in the rear of the City Barn to the winter hangar on Turner Street. “Bill” thinks he will remain in Auburn during the winter and will start flying early in the spring.

50 Years Ago: 1971

Three teachers from the Lewiston-Auburn area will be recognized at the convention of the National  Council for Geographic Education this weekend at Atlanta, Ga. They are Miss Geneva Kirk, chairman of the Social Studies Department at Lewiston High School; Elizabeth Hemstead, a teacher at Webster School, Auburn, and  Mrs. Dorothy Shea, teacher at Coffin School, Brunswick.

25 Years Ago: 1996

How many of us could easily whip up a batch of butter or soap, make black powder, tan hide or tie a fly? These are just a few of the “lost arts” that students in grades six,.seven and eight at Strong Elementary School have been researching for the past few weeks, teacher Sue Pratt said. Students will hold a Lost Arts Fair Tuesday from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the school. About 72 students, mostly working in pairs, will provide 35 exhibits, which may include videotapes and pictures, as well as some student performance, she said. Pratt, as part of a four-teacher team, worked with the students on developing a list of potential arts to consider such as making cider, caning, weaving or making natural herbal medicines. After a brainstorming session to develop ideas, the children were instructed on how to research these and then how to present them not only to their classmates, but in a fair which will be open to parents and the public. Along with recognizing some talents which are basically  being lost and teaching the students how to research and present them, the teachers also see this  exercise as a community builder. As the students research their chosen art, they have been encouraged to seek out members of the community who possess the knowledge and skill to perform the art. Learning from parents, grandparents, seniors in the community, the students are bridging the gaps between arts of past generations and the high tech society of today. Pratt said some students may be accompanied by their mentor.

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

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