100 Years Ago: 1924

Faunce Pendexter, the nine year old boy of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Pendexter, gave a recital Monday p.m., assisted by the Misses Hayden French and Kenyon and Margaret Hill. Several invited friends were present.

Tea and delicate refreshments were served by Mrs. Huston assisted by Mrs. Pendexter and Miss Agnes Beal.

All selections given by Faunce were played entirely from memory, and an unusual talent is promised in musical ability on the pianoforte at the age of only nine years.

50 Years Ago: 1974

Lewiston police today are looking for the driver of a green truck which deposited an auto engine it was hauling in the middle of Willow Street.

An employee of the Public Works Department at Willow Street told police today that he saw the truck come down Bartlett Street hill and turn up Willow, drop the car engine and other items from the back of the vehicle and proceed along its way as though nothing had happened.

25 Years Ago: 1999

A longtime wood products producer is close to being forced out of business because of overseas competition from China.

Strong Wood Products has been around for 25 years, but its owner doesn’t know how much longer he can keep the place going.

John DiStefano of Farmington said he had to lay off 25 workers last month. His only remaining employees are his secretary, who keeps the office open for four hours a day, and his son and daughter-in-law, who do some packing.

“We’re down to one major customer left and I don’t think we can stay open for that,” DiStefano said. “It doesn’t look too promising. We’re going to try. We closed the doors last month. We’ve been selling some stuff out of inventory.”

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