100 years ago, 1915
“I didn’t know time were so many runners in Lewiston,” says a woman who lives on East avenue. “Every boy in this neighborhood is out racing, along the route of the Lewiston Journal’s big ten mile foot race of next Monday. I have found out that there are a lot of folks interested in this race, because they have applied for permission to use part of my lot as a grandstand to review the race as it passes here.”

50 years ago, 1965
Cassius (Muhammad Ali) Clay who hadn’t seen his heavyweight opponent Sonny Liston until the weigh-in ceremony at the Youth Center this afternoon, tried to find “the big bear” last night and was found running along the Maine Turnpike by state police. State Trooper Oliver Dore, while patrolling the Maine Turnpike near the Holiday Inn at Auburn, found Clay and a retinue of runners loping along the turnpike. According to Maine Turnpike regulations, no pedestrians — not even heavyweight champions — are allowed on the pike. “I’m sorry,” said Trooper Dore, “but you will have to get off the turnpike.” “But, man, I’m looking for the bear,” Muhammad Ali told the officer. “There aren’t any bears up here,” said Dore, “just moose and deer.” And, the obliging Clay, headed back for Holiday Inn.

25 years ago, 1990
Skyrocketing property tax rates have prompted area municipal officials to revive the Maine Conference of Mayors in an effort to lobby the Legislature on municipal issues. The drive to reorganize the conference is being led by Lewiston Mayor James P. Howaniec, Gorham Council Chairwoman Carol Day and Auburn Mayor Richard Trafton, and is receiving support from other municipalities around the state, according to Howaniec.

The material in Looking Back is reproduced exactly as it originally appeared, although misspellings and errors made at that time may be edited.