100 years ago, 1915
Many people visited the Androscoggin County court room, Thursday, to see the allegorical mural by Harry Cochran of Monmouth, which has been placed on the wall behind the judge’s bench, and there were naught but words of praise for it. “Justice, the Defender of Civilization,” is the title of this work in oil and Mr. Cochran’s creation shows a comprehensive study. It is a massive painting with lifesize figures which tell the story.

50 years ago, 1965
Last night’s special zoning hearing involving a proposal to commercialize a large section of East Avenue, near Lisbon Street, for a Grant City-type shopping center, was, as one spectator put it, “like having to watch last year’s World Series all over again.” Just about the same arguments for and against the proposal to commercialize East Avenue were heard. Joseph Clarke, one of the opponents, said: “This is the fifth round.” Some persons who addressed a special sub-committee made up of City Council members, plus the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Planning Board, stated the opinion that the main issue at stake was not the commercialization of East Avenue. but the “continual and unmerciful harassment of the residents of that area.”

25 years ago, 1990
After a bewilderingly rapid series of upheavals, Vulf Krupnikov has found a calm haven and an unexpected sense of community in Maine. “Best stuff in America is your people,” Krupnikov said happily. “Not your malls, not your cars. Just your people — so kind, so warm. They make it very easy to find home here.” Krupnikov, a mechanical design engineer from Riga, Latvia, applied for an Soviet emigration visa seven years ago, with apparently small hope of receiving one. Last September, however, he was informed suddenly that his permit had been approved. Krupnikov found a job with Metal Specialties Inc. of Auburn, in which his education and skills could be employed. He also found a warm welcome from the congregation of Temple Beth El, and the family of Rabbi Sol Goodman, with whom he is staying until he can bring his wife and child to join him.

The material in Looking Back is reproduced exactly as it originally appeared, although misspellings and errors made at that time may be edited.