Read more about April 5, 1963, in the SunJournal.com archives.

100 Years Ago: 1923

At the meeting of the Skowhegan B. P. W. the club secretary gave an interesting report. A supper will be given at the next meeting, when Mrs. Howard Ives is to speak. At the supper held Saturday night, which was a big success, under the direction of Esther Ward, chairman, about $33 was cleared. There was no program.

50 Years Ago: 1973

The Mechanic Falls area, in the middle of a winter snowstorm, experienced a little bit of summer, Wednesday night, as thunder and lightning invaded the community. As the snow continued to accumulate, it was reported that a blue flash of lightning followed by a clap of thunder struck the area.

The Auburn Highway Dept. predicted a two- to four-inch Snowfall before the storm ended, but no thunder showers were expected.

25 Years Ago: 1998

Sen. John Glenn is going to get a good dunking. The Ohio Democrat headed back to basic training Saturday astronaut training.

For the next two weeks, the 76-year-old who was the first American to orbit the Earth will be studying, practicing and working in NASA simulators to prepare for his return to space this fall. Training will include water survival exercises. “You’re simulating bailing out at a low altitude,” Glenn said. “You go out on a pole over the pool and drop off,” he said. “It’s enjoyable to be doing some of those physical things.”

Glenn had to demonstrate he was extraordinarily fit before getting approval for the space shuttle flight, a nine-day mission scheduled to begin Oct. 29.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration has been working Glenn’s training around his Senate schedule, with the senator spending every sizable break at the Johnson Space Center in Houston.

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