Read more about April 20, 1923, in the SunJournal.com archives.

100 Years Ago: 1923

The Kiwanis club, an organization of business men whose object is to disseminate the principles of fair dealing and practices and the observance of the Golden Rule in private, civic, social and business life, has designated the week of April 15 to 21 as Courtesy Week.

50 Years Ago: 1973

Auburn City Manager Bernard J. Murphy Jr. said today three parties are actively interested in city-owned land at Spring and Elm Streets, where the city’s highway garage was formerly located. The manager declined to identify the interested parties, but noted that he will discuss the subject with the city council in the near future.

Another city-owned piece of property at Court and Spring Streets, where the central fire station stood, is currently being studied by Auburn Architect Deane Woodward. Murphy explained that Woodward was hired to determine the potential of the facilities. His fee has not yet been determined, according to Murphy.

Bids were asked, and the only two proposals received were turned down because of the low purchase price.

25 Years Ago: 1998

As they waited in the wings, the Toto wannabes barked, wagged their tails and yanked on their leashes until it was their turn to trot on stage.

Sunday was the day of the dogs as the Community Little Theater held auditions for “Toto” for the upcoming production of “Wizard of Oz.” About a dozen dogs and their stage-mother owners showed up for tryouts. A variety of canines was represented, everything from a Pomeranian to a Scottish Terrier to some very Toto-looking dogs: a huge, lovable sheep dog and a big, hyper Lab.

There were two big concerns the director had with picking the right dog for the part. “We need a well-behaved dog, and one that will fit inside a basket,” said director Mitch Thomas.

The right dog will have to handle being around a cast of about 90 people, including 50 children (the Munchkins). Toto will also have to bark on cue, stay in a basket carried around by Dorothy, run away on cue, “and hopefully do the biggest trick of all: tug at the curtain at the end of the show revealing the wizard.

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

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