100 Years Ago: 1921

They’re coming to town tomorrow — coming to town in tinsel and spangles, costly furs and wrinkled hides, for Sparks Circus on two trains, rolled into Lewiston with the dawn for a one day engagement on Garcelon Field. Hardly will the huge big top, seating more than 8,000, have been raised on the lot, when the first bandwagon will head the long parade thru the business streets at 10.30. There will be lots to see the Sparks “march past.” from the “blood-sweating behemoth to the last clown cart, from the tableaux floats to the kangaroo den (with the baby kangaroos doing “Kellermans” in their mothers’ pouches.

50 Years Ago: 1971

A farewell reception for the Rev. and Mrs. George Bullens, pastor of the United Methodist Church at Auburn, was held Sunday evening at the church. He is leaving the Auburn church to become pastor of the United Methodist Church at Rumford. Master of Ceremonies for the  program was Ronald Logan. The Rev. Joseph R. Bolger of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church spoke on behalf of the local Protestant churches, the Rev. Edmund Hache spoke for the St. Philip’s Catholic Church and presented gifts and Clarence Cole spoke on behalf of the United Methodist Church and presented the Bullens with seascape pictures and a purse of money. Walter Sargent offered a prayer during the ceremony. Music was provided by the Chapel Choir, directed by Mrs. Clifton Rice and Mrs. Eleanor Leadbetter played the organ.

25 Years Ago: 1996

Don Jalbert, drafting technologies instructor at Lewiston Regional Technical Center, has been chosen as Maine State Adviser of the Year for the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America. He was also recognised for out-standing effort as coordinator of the 1996 Maine Skill Olympics Competition. The Lewiston Regional Technical Center Chapter of VICA will be presented at the National Skill Olympics in Kansas City. Mo., June 24-28. Students will be competing in the areas of architectural design and promotional bulletin board. Under Jalbert’s guidance, Lewiston Regional Technical Center has garnered many top national awards. Particularly noteworthy, the Lewiston Regional Technical Center VICA Chapter has produced the state-winning lapel pin design contest for the past five consecutive years. Jalbert has been instrumental in encouraging VICA students to achieve beyond skill competitions in the classroom.

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