100 years ago: 1925

“Edward Willett, for several years house porter at the New DeWitt Hotel has returned to his home in Lewiston after spending the winter in New York City, Newark, N. J., and Philadelphia.

“Mrs. Fannie Tewksbury Heth, who is in the C. M. G. hospital for treatment is rapidly gaining health and strength and is able to sit up a portion of each day.

“Mrs. Mary Curran and Miss Lizzie Hagerty of West Rose Hill left last night for Bethel to attend the funeral of Michael Harrington, which will be held today.

“Master Charles Crowell, grandson of Col. C. S. Crowell, who was operated on Thursday night for appendicitis at St Mary’s hospital, is resting very comfortably.

“Mrs. William Murray, Hillsdale Street, Auburn, has returned from visiting her daughter, Mrs. A. E. Ramsdell, in Boston.”

50 years ago: 1975

“OXFORD — The waiting is just about over. The green flag comes out at the Oxford Plains Speedway at 2 p.m. Sunday and thousands of auto racing fans will be treated to a classic competition covering 100-laps, at least 32 of the finest stock car drivers in New England and the suspense of a $5,000 purse.”

25 years ago: 2000

“LIVERMORE — Richard Marble wants the Androscoggin River clean. He wants it swim-, fish-, paddle-your-boat-in-it clean. He wants people to come to it and play on it without fear of becoming ill. He wants it clean enough so that young women can eat fish from it without fearing health risks to themselves or their babies.

“He wants it so clean that people who live on it or near it, can profit from it for its beauty and recreational value and not just for its ability to sweep waste to the ocean.

“‘There are more people who can benefit from a clean river than can benefit from a dirty one,’ Marble said.

“Marble knows there’s more that can be done to stem pollution and clean the river and he is hoping to convince people in the more than 20 towns along the banks of the river in Maine to join him. He has started contacting town officials, local and statewide environmental groups and hopes to meet with them soon.

“His goal is to start a river-keeper program for the Androscoggin that provides an ombudsman of sorts — not an agent of government or industry — but someone to advocate for the river as a public resource and the impact of water pollution on human health, Marble said.”

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