100 years ago: 1918

When all else in 1918 has been forgotten, the story will be told of the manner of Maine’s reception of the news of the signing of the armistice — on Nov. 11, when practically all business ended, throughout the State, when men, women, and children flocked into the streets of every city town and hamlet in the early morning, and wild with joy, gave themselves up till late into the night to the celebration of the greatest day in history.

50 years ago: 1968

One of the largest of the New Year’s Eve parties is being held at the Lewiston Memorial Armory by the Escort of Twin City Council, United Commercial Travelers. Some 800 members and guests are expected to attend. Joseph Brunetti, president of the Escort, is general chairman of the ball, for which all tickets have been sold. Following are the committees working on arrangements for the event: Tickets, Peter Whitmore and William Dwinal; novelties, Robert Houghton and Gerald Scanlon; buffet supper, Chris Simones and Alfred Bourgault; decorating, Gil Lessard, Joseph Brunetti, and Donald Bilodeau.

25 years ago: 1993

District Attorney Janet Mills said Monday that she has decided not to seek the Democratic nomination for Congress in central and northern Maine’s 2nd District. Mills, who had frequently been mentioned as a likely prospect, said she and her family were not prepared to make the full-time commitment a congressional campaign would demand. At a time when the state budget is in crisis, prosecutors’ offices are at a critical juncture, hampered by small staffs and burgeoning case-loads,” Mills said in a press release. “A congressional race now would detract from my ability to fulfill these other more critical responsibilities.” Mills said she expected to seek re-election as the prosecutor for Androscoggin. Franklin and Oxford counties, a post she has held since 1980. “I remain committed to ensuring the highest quality of law enforcement in these three counties.”

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