Beautiful and impressive ceremonies in the Catholic churches yesterday marked the beginning of Lent, the penitential season. Special masses were said and ashes distributed. Yesterday, Ash Wednesday, was observed as a day of public penance and humility, so called, from the ceremony of blessing ashes, wherewith the priest signs the people with a sign of the cross, giving the admonition, “Remember, man, thou art dust, and unto dust thou shalt return.” (Gen. xi.9), to remind them of their mortality and prepare for the proper observance of Lent.

50 Years Ago, 1956

• Five Leap Year babies, four girls and a boy, kept the stork busy yesterday at Lewiston’s two hospitals. To these youngsters fall the distinction of being brought into the world on a date that only comes around once in four years. That’s one way of staying “young” forever.

• “Sixteen tons.” There isn’t even that much coal left in the cellar storage sheds at the Lewiston city building and officials are wondering if the supply will last until next week’s meeting of the Board of Mayor and Alderman. City Controller Laurier T. Raymond was optimistic yesterday and predicted the “six or seven” tons of coal on hand might last until the board Tuesday night meeting when the aldermen will be asked to juggle budget accounts and buy more fuel.

25 Years ago, 1981

By this summer, Mainers should be able to do a lot of their banking at the local supermarket and other public places.

The presidents of three of Maine’s principal banks were expected on Monday to announce the formation of a statewide remote banking network that will use automated teller machines located in stores and elsewhere.

The new service will be part of the Metroteller system “the nation’s largest and most successful in store banking service operation,” according to a news release from the banks.