100 Years Ago: 1922

Guess all the girls lost their courage, or else they were all a bit too plump. At any rate no one asked if they could wear Norma Talmadge’s wedding gown, which she wore in “Smilin’ Through” and it waited anxiously in Abbott Bros. window for an applicant. After today it will be too late, as the beautiful dress will leave this evening upon its return to Miss Talmadge.

50 Years Ago: 1972

James Jolicoeur, Auburn city engineer, reports that work on street improvements in the Perryville Improvement Project area will begin on Thursday, the work to include the reconstruction of several streets and new pavement, some sidewalks and curbing. Work has already started on the resurfacing of Goff Street.

25 Years Ago: 1997

The 49th annual Little World’s Fair in East Auburn is planned for Saturday at the East Auburn Community Center next to the East Auburn School on Pettingill Road.

Nearing the half century mark, the East Auburn Community Center is continuing a tradition which began after World War ll and has roots in the community going back to the day when people took the trolley out to East Auburn for an outing by the lake, said President Phil Rand.

The fair, which begins at noon and continues to 11 p.m., is a fun time, with lots of prizes for children and families. Most of the games are made and maintained by East Auburn community residents and members of the unit, said Rand.

Features for children are the Train Ride, the Moon Walk, the Dunking Tank and the Merry.Go-Round. Young and old can test their strength by trying to ring the bell with o blow of a mallet or loosen up a pitching arm with everything from dart-throwing to a precision baseball pitch.

There will also be beano, raffles and games-of-chance designed for all ages. In addition to a bake sale and fried dough, hot dogs and hamburgers will be available in the food tent and will be served by volunteers from the community. There will be plenty of free parking.

All proceeds are used to support such community activities as Little League ball teams, a Halloween party as well as other community events. A modest scholarship program assists local students going on to higher education. Admission to the fair is free.

The purpose of the East Auburn Community Unit, said Rand, is to improve community life in this part of Auburn.

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