100 years ago: 1925

“LEWISTON — Clarence Archibald, Captain of the Bates track team, sensational quarter miler and middle distance runner is a proud father.

“A daughter, Nancy Helen, was born to Mrs. Archibald at the Auburn Private Hospital on Friday.

“Saturday he competed for Bates against the New Hampshire track team on Garcelon field in a dual meet.”

50 years ago: 1975

“WASHINGTON (AP) — The original Smokey Bear, the living symbol of the government’s forest fire-prevention campaign, now is just another federal pensioner.

“Old Smokey, arthritic and grumpy, surrendered his special prominence during retirement ceremonies Friday at the National Zoo.

“Smokey, whose 25 years are comparable to 70 in a human — the mandatory retirement age for federal employees — didn’t show much interest in the proceedings as his successor was introduced. He sulked in a corner of his cage and endured a swat on the snout by his longtime mate, Goldie.

“New Smokey, a vigorous 4-year-old, already had been installed in the special quarters reserved for the nation’s best-known bear. He proved to be a crowd-pleaser, standing on his hind legs and deftly snatching peanuts tossed to him.

“Both bears are natives of New Mexico, where Old Smokey and Goldie will be moved once their retirement home is completed later this year.”

25 years ago: 2000

“LEWISTON — City councilors gave their approval Tuesday to the concept of an overpass above Main Street.

“The measure, adopted in a 5-2 vote, signals Maine road officials of the city’s support to the $7 million road project aimed at clearing the dangerous bottleneck with Russell Street and the Veterans Memorial Bridge.

“City staffers and state road officials have supported the project for years, citing the high rate of serious car crashes there and the intersection’s likelihood to jam vehicles. The current proposal would build a two-lane overpass between the current fork of roads at the intersection. It would allow cars moving between Auburn and Russell Street to continue without stopping at a light.

“Road experts say the change will relieve the congestion among people entering or leaving the corridor there. But the move has met vocal opposition, particularly among people who live on Russell Street and from Councilor James Carignan.”

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