100 years ago,1911

“To boost Lewiston and Auburn as the shopping center of Maine” was the key note of the postprandial part of the annual banquet of the L. & A. Merchants Association held at the new DeWitt last evening. Frederick M. Prescott of Boston, expert in conducting industrial expositions and fairs, was the principal speaker and outlined a plan for the Industrial Development of these two cities. His plan was heartily approved by all speakers who followed and indications point to a grand exposition in Lewiston within a few weeks.

50 years ago, 1961

Auburn city employees voted by more than a 3 to 1 margin yesterday for Social Security coverage.

City Auditor Albert M. Eustis said 78 votes were cast in favor of the coverage and 21 in opposition.

Eustis said 99 of an eligible 137 city employees voted in the election. He must now report the results to state and federal agencies and the City Council. At the present time city employees are covered by the Maine State Retirement System.

25 years ago, 1986

David Letterman says Jay Leno is the funniest man in America.

Other critics have described the comic as “the Bruce Springsteen of comedy” because of his blue-collar appeal and a nightclub act that’s been known to stretch for as long as 90 minutes.

The Los Angeles-based comedian will bring his just-an-everyday-kind-of-guy humor to Bates College in Lewiston on Sunday morning, where he’ll perform on a bill that includes David Ruffin and Eddie Kendrick, former lead singers of The Temptations.