100 years ago: 1925

Leslie B. Hilton of Auburn got such a kick and saw so many arms, legs and feet in rapid motion at the regular spiritualist meeting Sunday night in the block at the corner of Main and Court streets, Auburn that he has had one of the alleged evil spirits arrested on a charge of assault and battery. Mr. Hilton is understood to be recognized as the grand guardian of something or other at the meeting. It is claimed he did not like the disturbance three men at the session were making and ordered them out. The next thing he knew he was shifted from the horizontal to the vertical in a most puzzling manner and  a boot connected with his anatomy. The boot, he claims, was worn by William R. Tibbets, employee of the City of Auburn. Mr. Tibbets has been ordered to appear in Auburn municipal court this morning.

50 years ago: 1975

Claire Gagon of 29 Gosnold St., Auburn took the top prize in the citywide spelling contest in Auburn Monday. She got a pen as part of her award from “Beemaster” Charles W. Jordan. Runner-up in the competition, which included 18 contestants in grades six through eight, was Lauriane Nadeau of 35 Candia St., Auburn. Both girls are from Central Middle School, Miss Gagnon will now participate in county competition and if all goes well, take on contenders for the state title.

25 years ago: 2000

Snow and wind seemed to keep the afternoon streets free of revelers on St. Patrick’s Day this year, and green was less the color of the day than blinding white. But indoors it was the usual festivities of feasting and drinking, suspending the usual Lenten restrictions. A crowd at The Cage to take advantage of the corned beef and cabbage buffet, and to drink a few pints of Guinness and Killian’s Red, the beer specials for the day. Green beer and Jell-O shots were also available. … At Grant’s Bakery, workers were busy selling the seasonal Irish soda bread that is strongly associated with St. Patrick’s Day. Don Grant, one of the owners of the bakery, said it is made with caraway seed, buttermilk, raisins “and a little elfin magic called whiskey.” They expect to sell about 80 of the heavy loaves, along with shamrock cookies and green cupcake.

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