100 Years Ago: 1918
 
A large working model of a United States transport ship will be one of the attractions at the Maine State Fair in Lewiston next week and be placed in the booth of the U. S. Employment bureau in the main building. This model cost about $6000 to construct and was built in the Texas yards in Bath. Harry Armstrong, connected with the employment department of the Texas Co., will be present during the fair to explain the ins and outs of the model, and to answer questions concerning government employment. There will also be an exhibit of army shirts in all stages of a Lewiston manufacturer, furnished by  Bates St. Shirt and the processes of making this article of soldier wear will also be explained in detail.
 
50 Years Ago: 1968
 
A plan for the eradication of Dutch Elm Disease in Lewiston has been put into operation, it was learned Thursday night. William R. Adams Jr., director of the Lewiston Public Works Department, said that a contract for the cutting down of almost 50 trees has been awarded to the Mt. Apatite Tree Service. “We now have in operation a planned program for the eradication of diseased trees,” said Adams. He noted that several diseased trees have recently been removed in the College Street section of the city and that more removals of diseased trees are scheduled. 
 
25 Years Ago: 1993
 
On this sunny day, three American presidents, nine secretaries of state, were gawkers, just like everyone else, awed by a sudden turn toward peace. All eyes were on two old enemies, new in the roles as peacemakers, men who say peace “salaam” in Arabic or “shalom” in Hebrew. Their handshake — the grasp by Arab Yasser Arafat of the hand of Jew Yitzhak Rabin — brought a gasp, a shout, applause. Bill Clinton facilitated it, made it necessary. The leader of the Palestine Liberation Organization stood on Clinton’s left, the prime minister of Israel stood at his right. Clinton stepped back, creating a vacuum between his guests. He gestured them together. Arafat stepped into Rabin’s space, hand extended. Rabin hesitated for an instant. The handshake happened. Ararat beamed. Rabin didn’t. Clinton looked pleased. It was solemn, almost pious, this peace treaty-signing ceremony on the lawn Monday, played out between two huge magnolias in back of the White House. But, still, this was Washington, and Washington did what Washington does. Assembled on the lawn an hour earlier, this crowd gossiped, back-slapped, schmoozed and worked the crowd.
 
The material in Looking Back is reproduced exactly as it originally appeared in the Sun Journal, except for any errors or corrections made at that time.  

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