100 years ago, 1912
A special meeting of the Auburn city government, held Monday night, turned out to be a history-making event. Among the most important items discussed was the order, which made Chief Blethen of the Auburn Fire Department, a permanent man in the engine house at an increase in salary. This action taken at the recommendation of the fire commissioners is to be in effect for a year. It supplies a need in the department. As things went formerly, the engine house was left entirely alone at times.

50 years ago, 1962
The president and treasurer of Olfene’s Super Market at 178 Court St., Auburn, today confirmed reports of the planned construction of a new huge supermarket in Lewiston. Richard D. Olfene said that the new store will be built at the intersection of Sabattus St. and East Ave., on the old Garcelon property, which will be remembered by long time area residents as the old circus grounds. It is expected that the store will be in operation this fall. It will be two and one half times larger than the Auburn store and will be known as Olfene’s Shop n’ Save.

25 years ago, 1987
The sound of a coxswain chanting the beat as racing shell glides through the water is one more sign that the Androscoggin river is recovering from the effects of industrial pollution. Since spring, a group of Bates college students have been using the river as a training ground for their Crew Club, a team that is looking to row competitively with schools having much more experience in the sport. Using access provided by Twitchell’s Airport in Auburn (near docks used for seaplanes), the club rows on the river from the Gulf Island Dam to as far north as the Greene Bridge across the Androscoggin River on the Allen Pond Road in Greene.