100 Years Ago: 1924

An exhibitor at the seed show at the Armory was E. P. Atwood of Auburn who carried off some of the prizes.

Mr. Atwood “took time off” and went to the show every day. He had some good looking samples of potatoes and corn and a plate of tomatoes that everybody wondered just how he kept them so well.

Three years ago Mr. Atwood at his farm, the Gross place near the Mechanic Falls road,” grew three varieties of potatoes. The next year he raised 32 kinds and this year he had 54 varieties. He had the biggest exhibit of anybody at the State fair.

50 Years Ago: 1974

Today was the first anniversary of the death of Dr. Gilbert Clapperton, widely-known Lewiston physician who was chief of anesthesiology at the Central Maine General Hospital for more than 30 years.

In his honor, the CMGH Woman’s Hospital Association presented the institution with an oil painting by Mary Jane Dillingham, Auburn, of Scotland, a land much loved by Dr. Clapperton. An appropriate plaque has been attached to the painting which will hang in the hospital. Receiving the painting from Mrs. John R. Linnell, president of WHA, is Dana S. Thompson, executive director of the hospital, as Mrs. Clapperton and Dr. Rudolph Haas, president of the C.M.G. medical staff, look on.

In a eulogy to Dr. Clapperton recently, the annual report of the hospital termed him the “epitome of what we believe a physician should be a dedicated, capable and kind man who put personal considerations aside whenever the welfare of patients or others was concerned.”

25 Years Ago: 1999

Santa’s on his way! He’ll parade down Auburn’s Court Street on Monday, Nov. 29, with reindeer leading his sleigh.

The Edward Little Marching Band will lead the parade about 6:20 p.m., accompanied by fire trucks, police cars, a van and Santa and Mrs. Claus.

New this year, festivities will begin at 4 p.m. with hayrides sponsored by the Auburn Police Association and Police Union. Rides will leave from the Great Falls parking lot. An exhibit by the Boys and Girls Club will be available for view in the former No Tomatoes space in the Goff Building.

The Auburn Community Band, the Edward Little Chorus and master of ceremonies from WPOR will warm up the crowd with holiday carols beginning at 6 p.m. near the Dunlap Building at Great Falls Plaza.

Spectators can drink hot chocolate or coffee, munch on doughnut holes and visit with friends and family while they wait for Santa to light Auburn’s tree with a twitch of his nose.
Kids can get their picture taken with Santa as they tell him their Christmas wishes.

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