100 Years Ago: 1925

Effie Cutler Coombs, Auburn pianist is author of lyrics for a new song just published by the Sam Fox Co. entitled “Waitin’ In the Shadows.”

It is not her first published work, for several years ago she wrote the words to a song that reached great popularity throughout the country. The present one as advertised in the latest music catalogue is written as a three part song for mixed voices.

Mrs. Coombs is a thorough  musician which is a great help in writing lyrics because she can picture her words as they will turn into notes for the piano or voice. For several years she has been pianist for popular dance orchestras and recently has been pianist and organist at the Pricilla Theater.

Writing lyrics has always been her hobby, and that she is in a fair way to become very successful at this work is indicated by the unusual interest taken in her work by Geoffrey O’Hara and similar famous songwriters. Mr. O’Hara, composer of such famous numbers as “There’s No Death” and “I Love A Little Cottage”, has several of her lyrics now which he intends setting to music.

50 Years Ago: 1975

Lewiston police are warning youngsters that they’re asking for trouble if they continue to grab the bumpers of passing autos.

Lt. Normand Cloutier said several complaints have been received from motorists. There was one complaint today from a resident of the city who reported youngsters waiting for the bus on Birch and Blake streets were grabbing the rear bumpers of passing autos, for a ride.”

25 Years Ago: 2000

World-renowned leaders in several religious traditions will address the question “How do you see God?” in a multi-faith teleconference, “God at 2000,” to be broadcast in Hirasawa Lounge, Chase Hall, Bates College, from noon to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12.The public is invited to attend the broadcast.

Speakers in the Trinity Institute symposium to be televised nationally via satellite, live from Oregon State University, will bring together seven men and women from the worlds of Islam, Judaism and Christianity to answer the question from their different perspectives.

The featured speakers include Desmond Tutu, retired Anglican archbishop of Capetown, South Africa; Lawrence Kushner, noted rabbi, lecturer and author; Marcus Borg, Jesus seminar scholar, author and professor at Oregon State University; Karen Armstrong, author of “A History of God”; Seyyed Hossein Nasr, professor of Islamic studies, George Washington University; author Diana Eck, director of the Pluralism Project, Harvard University; and Joan Chittister, Benedictine nun, lecturer and author.

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