100 Years Ago: 1924

“Put in a dozen oranges, please!”

Housewives are including the above in their grocery orders these days, ever since the announcement of the California Orange Recipe Contest, to be held Dec. 2 to 16th, which is creating widespread interest among the readers of the Lewiston Journal.

Dealers report increased sales of oranges and from the inquiries made of the Contest Editor, the Orange Recipe Contest is going to be a huge success.

50 Years Ago: 1974

Police Chief Lionel Cote of the Sabattus Police Force denied a report, Monday, that he had intentions of resigning his post, here, to accept a similar appointment elsewhere.

Cote was named police chief in this municipality to succeed James C. Gurney Sr., who resigned last summer to accept the position of police chief in Pittsfield.

25 Years Ago: 1999

St. Mary’s Parish in Lewiston, since 1907 the religious base of the Little Canada neighborhood, will close July 1, Bishop Joseph Gerry has announced.

In a letter to parishioners, Gerry said there were several reasons for his decision, but primarily it was the dwindling number of parishioners, limited money and a too-small pool of volunteers to meet the parish’s needs.

Fewer than 300 households now pay the bills for the parish, which supports the cut-granite church at the corner of Oxford and Cedar streets.

“Closing a church is always the last resort when all other options have been explored,” said Gerry, the spiritual head of Maine’s 250,000 Catholics.” He said he was deeply saddened to have to do so.

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