100 Years Ago: 1924

In presenting Miss Eva Malo, Lewiston’s child soloist, to Lewiston audiences, Miss Alice Flood, teacher of the voice, feels that she is bringing before musical people an unusual voice study.

Miss Malo, who is only 12 years old, has all the qualities and strength of the voice of a woman, the voice development being unusual and pleasing. Contrary to the belief that children’s voices must not be cultivated at too early a stage, Miss Flood claims that the young girl’s training may start very early in fact, and she pointed out that many of the world’s most famous opera singers made their debut when only 8 or 9. She adds, however, that he full tones, of course, may not be acquired until maturity.

Many people here heard Miss Malo at a meeting of the Woman’s Literary Union this last summer, and they were agreeably surprised at the beauty and richness of her offering.

She makes her formal appearance at the Philharmonic Studio, Main street, Auburn, on Tuesday evening, Oct. 7th, at 8 o’clock, and it is presumed her audience will be a large one.

50 Years Ago: 1974

A fire extinguisher caused Auburn police and fire officials a certain amount of apprehension Thursday night after it was tossed by vandals on the front steps of a West Auburn house.

Edward Chapman notified Auburn police shortly before 10 p.m. that an old car stopped in front of his house and the occupants threw a fire extinguisher on his front steps. Police who responded to the scene notified the Auburn dispatcher that acid from the apparatus had leaked onto the steps and requested advice on what to do with it. The AFD replied the extinguisher was a “potential bomb” and to leave it alone for the time being.

Officials at the scene determined the extinguisher was harmless as it only contained a small amount of water.

25 Years Ago: 1999

Forever etched into Dave Elliott’s memory is the dying face of his good friend, asking him to say goodbye to his mother and father for him.

Thirty years ago, on a hot, bloody battlefield in the middle of Vietnam, Terry Drown’s last thoughts belonged to his parents. To this day, Elliott’s promise remains unfulfilled, but his story, along with 28 veterans, have been collected over the summer for The Maine Vietnam Veterans Oral History Project.

Elliott grew up in Rumford and met Drown for the first time in boot camp. A friendship formed naturally between the two sons of Maine.

When Drown found out where Elliott was going, he requested to follow Elliott on the same tour of duty.

Elliott was a reconnaissance expert with the 21st Infantry from 1969 to 1970.

“It has always bothered me,” Elliott said quietly, “His parents live in Kennebunkport and I’ve gone down there at least 25 times. I still carry their address with me, but I haven’t been able to do it yet. I said that I would say goodbye for him,” Elliott’s clear blue eyes gaze down when he says: “That is the part that really bothers me.”

Elliott’s vivid memories, along with other Vietnam veterans from central and western Maine were gathered for the project by five area college students. The students carefully selected questions and were coached on how to conduct the taped interviews. The stories have been recently transcribed and will be made available to the public at University of Maine at Farmington’s Mantor Library, the Maine Folklife Center in Orono and special collections in Ladd Library at Bates College in Lewiston.

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