100 years ago, 1917
Floods of liquor poured into Lewiston-Auburn in the last two weeks, but — don’t be excited! — this doesn’t mean that Sheriff Stevens and his deputies have relaxed their grip. They are tirelessly on the job. It means simply that innumerable private families have filled cellars and sideboards in anticipation of the big drought which officially went into effect at midnight — in other words, the federal “bone-dry” law forbidding the shipment of liquors into prohibition territory for any save medicinal, sacramental and mechanical purposes.

50 years ago, 1967
A traditional Fourth of July program was presented at the Lewiston Fairgrounds last night with some 15,000 persons on hand. A 40-minute fireworks display was the highlight of the evening. The fireworks display this year was entirely an aerial show. Mayor William Rocheleau Jr. welcomed the crowd. In a brief address, the mayor noted that on Independence Day, he is again reminded of “our boys in Vietnam.” The holiday program was opened at 5 p m. with a variety of competitive events for the youngsters.

25 years ago, 1992
It’s boxy, but good. It’s the Andy-Pak Oil Spill Trailer — a nondescript white metal box on wheels filled with items designed to help control and contain small petroleum spills. At least 15 years ago, the trailer was created under a cooperative agreement among local oil dealers, businesses and the state Department of Environmental Protection, explained Pete Gagnon, director of the Androscoggin County Emergency Management Agency. “For some reason, it fell into disrepair and non-use,” Gagnon said. “A couple of months ago, the Androscoggin Chemical Planning Committee saw it as an opportunity to get the trailer back into usable condition again.” The committee refurbished the trailer by repairing some minor vandalism, adding new tires and replacing the trailer hitch, all of which cost about $500.

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