100 years ago, 1916
Fortunat Belleau, son of F. X. Belleau, is now a member of the editorial staff of Le Messager, succeeding Prof. L. N. Gendreau, who has gone to Canada where he will act as a regimental bandmaster. Mr. Belleau is a member of the Maine bar, and until recently was a resident of Augusta. Owing to the severe illness of Mrs. Belleau, now a patient at St. General Hospital, he has come to this city.

50 years ago, 1966
Members of the Auburn Skeet Club surprised even themselves over the weekend, when, at the Scarborough grounds in statewide competition, they won every major prize in the list and every member of the ASC squad was a winner. Dick McWilliams, a veteran at the sport, and a Class A-rated competitor, winner of trophies galore down through the years, took top individual honors with 99 out of 100. The Auburn Skeet Club grounds on the South River Road in Auburn is one of the busiest spots of its kind in the state. The club’s new $1,500 automatic trap has proven a great help in moving competition along in a first-class manner. Many skeeters from all over this section of Maine drop over to try their hand at the sport.

25 years ago, 1991
People who live and do business in the Bridge Street Bridge area of Lewiston say closing the bridge created a safety hazard and an inconvenience. But reopening the bridge, located between High and Spring streets behind Central Maine Medical Center, would cost $32,500. And at that price, the bridge would be open only to vehicles other than trucks and buses. “There’s no question in my mind there are serious problems with that bridge,” said Public Works Director Christopher Branch. Retaining full use of the bridge would require its replacement at a cost of maybe half a million dollars, Branch said. He is scheduled to report to the City Council on the matter Tuesday. “As a professional engineer I will not make a recommendation to keep that bridge open,” he said. “With a different hat on,” as Public Works director, “I think we can come up with something.”

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