100 Years Ago: 1923

The Auburn W. C. T. U. held a meeting in New Odd Fellows hall, Pleasant street, Auburn, yesterday afternoon. The final arrangements for serving meals at the State Fair were made. One application for membership was received, Mrs. Clark, a visitor read a poem during the social hour.

50 Years Ago: 1973

An exhibit of paintings and drawings by William Thon will open at the   Treat Gallery, Bates College on Sept. 6 and continue through Oct. 14. A reception is scheduled for Sept. 6 from 8 to 9:30 p.m. to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Thon. The public is invited to attend.

25 Years Ago: 1998

United Ambulance Service has just become part of a new trend in Twin Cities emergency care with the introduction of a bike medic team for large community events and celebrations.
United joins the Auburn Fire Department, which already offers the service that allows paramedics and emergency medical technicians quick and easy access to people who need help right away.

Michael Carroll, quality improvement coordinator for United, said it’s often difficult to get medical staff, equipment and vehicles to where they’re needed during large outdoor events such as last weekend’s Great Falls Balloon Festival. EMTS on bikes, however, can maneuver fairly easily through crowds and obstacles to reach people in trouble. They will then try to stabilize the patient until an ambulance can reach the site, Carroll said. About 40 EMTs signed up for the bike patrol, Carroll said, from a staff of about 50. They received training, including how to traverse steps, curbs and other immobile objects, as part of a national curriculum for the new service.

Carroll said there isn’t any secret to mastering the steps and curbs, but it is tricky. “It’s coordination and timing” to get the front of the bicycle lifted into the air while pedaling at the same time.

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