100 Years Ago: 1924

An Ohio man, who enjoyed a stay at Norway’s Wayside Camp for Tourists, takes pains to write to Maine his appreciation of eastern hospitality. “It can’t be beaten out West,” is his verdict.

50 Years Ago: 1974

Something new in the regulation of traffic flow is being tried in Lewiston for the first time. It consists of allowing a right turn on a red light.

Capt. Herve J. Gendreau, Lewiston Police traffic officer, explained today that the system has been set up at a busy intersection of Main and Russell Streets, at the new Vietnam Memorial Bridge, and signs were installed recently at all right-hand corners.

The signs, erected by the State Department, read: “Right Turn on Red, After Stop.”

Gendreau said he has been observing the intersection — the only place in town where the signs are being tried  — and he advises all motorists to exercise  “extreme caution” in availing themselves of the new privilege.

The captain hopes the signs will end long waits, with engine idling, for lights to change to green. Often cars must wait a long time even though ” the coast is clear.”

Gendreau noted some motorists are either not seeing the new signs, or are too cautious, not daring to make the turn.

If the system works, it’s possible it will be tried at other Lewiston intersections.

However, Gendreau pointed out that at street crossings, where there is heavy pedestrian traffic, the right turn privilege might prove more hazardous than advantages.

The idea of “right on red” is catching on in Maine, according to the DOT and other communities are joining Lewiston in the experiment.

25 Years Ago: 1999

St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center Auxiliary Visiting Artist Gallery is presenting watercolors by June Dragoon during March.

Dragoon resides in Peru and enjoys painting a variety of subjects, including flowers, children and the New England countryside. She exhibits at many of the area summer sidewalk art shows throughout Maine. Her paintings have won purchase prizes at the Farmington Art in the Park, Central Maine Medical Center Art Show “97” and St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center Art Show “96.” In addition she will accept commissions in watercolor and oil. She studied painting with Irene Duplissis, Stan Kierstead, Doris Anne Holman, Eileen Kerr and Oscar Legere.

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