100 years ago: 1925

“B. L. Berman, county attorney, is taking his fight — to wipe magazines containing obscene pictures and texts from the periodical shelves of Lewiston-Auburn stores — to the United States District Attorney.

“On Tuesday he forwarded the following letter to Fred Dyer, U. S. District Attorney: ‘There has recently been called to my attention some very unusual magazines which are being circulated here in these two cities. These publications contain photographs of an obscene nature, and in my belief clearly constitute a violation of the Statutes of Maine. I have directed the local police officers to notify the dealers to quit their distribution….

“‘Under these circumstances, I feel that it is my duty to call this situation to your attention for such action as your department may deem appropriate.’

“Both police departments and Sheriff Murray’s squad have been ordered to warn magazine merchants to dispense with the sale of the objectionable magazines. The worst offenders are the mushroom ‘Art’ magazines which have been springing up with alarming frequency in the last month or so….

“The ‘art’ magazines feature pictures of nude men and women in offensive poses many of them. They have a tremendous circulation.

“These are the magazines declared by Mr. Berman to be probably objectionable: ‘Art and Life,’ ‘Paris Nights,’ ‘Artists and Models,’ ‘American Art Student,’ ‘Art Lovers’ and ‘Cartoon and Movies.'”

50 years ago: 1975

“Young music fans today received an ‘A’ for their conduct at the rock concert at the Central Maine Youth Center Saturday from Lewiston police and the
promoters.

“Both said this morning the concert went ‘extremely well’ despite the ten arrests involving six adults and four juveniles, a low figure considering the 4,300 fans who streamed into the sports arena to hear ZZ Top and the Peter Frampton Band perform.

“Said police Chief Lucien Longtin: ‘I think something should be said for the 4,380 who were there enjoying the concert. Saturday night showed they want more concerts and I think their conduct speaks for itself.'”

25 years ago: 2000

“AUBURN — Organizers hope to raise more than $60,000 to fight cancer in the annual ‘Relay for Life’ beginning Friday evening at the Great Falls Plaza.

“The event is organized by the American Cancer Society, which will hold simultaneous relays throughout Maine and the nation.

“It’s scheduled to start at 6 p.m. with a lap by survivors of the illness. Until noon on Saturday, members of 40 to 50 teams plan to either walk or run. Walkers are sponsored by people who have promised to donate money based on the amount of time each person continues around the track.

“‘Teams set up tents and must keep at least one team member walking on the track during the 18-hour event,’ said Allen Rowe, the society’s regional executive director. ‘When it’s not their turn to be on the track, the other team members join in fun activities such as contests, dancing, live entertainment and events for children.'”

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