100 Years Ago: 1922

A checker tournament for Monday has been arranged to be held at the Auburn Chamber of Commerce, and all enthusiasts whether proficient in the game or not are invited to attend. It is expected that Ray Gould, state checker champion, will be one of the players.

50 Years Ago: 1972

(from a Journal photo on April 1) The Great Falls Balloon Festival recently elected new officers and a new member of its board of directors. The members are Bethel Shields, chairwoman; Doug Boyd, vice chairman; and Rachel Desgrosseilliers; Debbie Bolen-Morin; Laurie Windsor, secretary; Pat Kosalka, treasurer; John Reeder; Gail Turner; and Roger Blais. Two board members were recognized for their contributions: Donna Rousseau ended her term on the board; and Rachel Desgrosseilliers ended a term as chairwoman and remains on the board. Tom Hancock and Gail Turner were elected as board members and Hancock will serve as balloon meister.

25 Years Ago: 1997

Mother Nature’s early spring mini-blizzard caused an extremely slow start to the open water fishing season Tuesday. But despite several inches of snow, treacherous road conditions, below freezing temperatures and a biting gusting wind, a handful of hearty individuals ventured to their favorite spot to wet a line on opening day. However, there wasn’t there wasn’t much open water to accommodate the early bird anglers. We’re devoted fishermen,” said Bruce Soper of Lewiston, who along with four of his Lewiston buddies, were fishing from the shore at the Townsend Brook Culvert on Lake Shore Drive at Lake Auburn at 6.30 am, The quintet, clad in winter garb, was huddled around a propane heater in an attempt to combat frigid gusts of high wind and blowing snow. “Hey, it’s opening and I want to have a good time,” said Chris Lemieux, one of five, who was fishing in open water measuring only about 50 feet long and 10 feet long. “I pay enough for my license, I might as well use it.” The five Lewiston residents arrived at their favorite early fishing spot at midnight, Monday. Legal fishing begins at 12:01 am. “We’ve been eating sandwiches and drinking hot coffee,” noted Lemieux when asked how the anglers had passed the dark hours. “My wife is going to bring us lunch.” Others in the fishing party were Norm Boutot, Jeremy Magee and Lee Cayton.

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