100 Years Ago: 1923

Poland Spring is entertaining Vice President and Mrs. Calvin M. Coolidge, and governors of the New England states today. Accompanied by their immediate families, they arrived very quietly, each little group from its respective capital. The spotlight of publicity always lays upon those in political high places — it followed these distinguished guests even to Poland Spring. But its rays were less intensive. They came for rest, for quiet, for recreation — to be free, if only for a few hours, from public burdens and official cares. They wanted no formality, no speech making, no elaborate luncheons or banquets, no tours of inspection; and they were promised there should be none.

50 Years Ago: 1973

Androscoggin County Sheriff’s deputies confiscated 200 marijuana plants Friday in the Mechanic Falls area after receiving an anonymous phone tip. Sheriff Rosaire Martel, in declining to identify the specific location, told the Journal that authorities had to take a 15 minute walk from the highway in order to reach the “marijuana garden.”

25 Years Ago: 1998

Bound for Atlantic City to go up against the peaches and cream of American womanhood, Stephany Stanley likes her odds. This year, she affirms, “that crown is coming home.” She smiles as she says it. It’s natural and engaging. It makes you think – could this actually be the year? In 61 years, Miss Maine has never gone far in the Miss America pageant. But don’t bet against Stanley; the 20-year-old Hartford woman could make history. She’s nothing if not determined. Her drive paid off Saturday night. After three years of trying, she won the Miss Maine crown. She’ll represent the Pine Tree State in the Miss America pageant Sept. 19.

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