100 years ago,1911

In conjunction to Rose Pitonof’s swimming and diving exhibitions, she will demonstrate how to save a person from drowning. Miss Pitonof has, during her young life, saved several from a watery end, and in her performances this afternoon, you will witness an exhibition that will interest and instruct. Crowded houses will no doubt greet this little Boston school girl, who has won the title of world’s champion long distance swimmer.

50 years ago, 1961

What was once a familiar sight in Auburn returned to the scene yesterday and probably brought back memories of former years to some passersby.

The sight?

Sparkling and dancing lights on the marquee of the Auburn Theater.

The theater was closed by the advent of television … its stages darkened, the front boarded up, the end of an era.

Late in January, the theater was sold to the Auburn Parking district and the Auburn Exchange Club made arrangements to use the theater for a benefit show before the district converts the building, in one manner or another, to car parking facilities.

25 years ago, 1986

SABATTUS — Voters will decide whether to authorize the purchase of a new police cruiser at the town meeting in March.

Police Chief Guy Desjardins put two options before the board concerning the purchase of a new police cruiser.

One option would be to lease a vehicle for two years at the cost of $7,032 per year. At the end of the two years, the vehicle becomes the property of the town.

The option that will be appearing on the town meeting warrant, however, is to purchase a vehicle outright for $12,185.