Looking Backward

The north

10 years ago

Nov. 25, 1999:The Nature Conservancy is raising money to buy 760 acres of prairie and woodlands along Three Mile Creek. The land features the so-called alvar grassland environment that is rare in the Northeast. The group's newsletter says the group needs to raise $150,000 by Dec. 31.

25 years ago

Nov. 25, 1984:A "Valet Auto Strop Razor" recently turned up in the attic of a home owned by Stephen and Sandra Ragan, Miner Street Road, Canton. Razors were distributed by the Watertown Daily Times shortly after the turn of the century to boost circulation.

50 years ago

Nov. 25, 1959:The margin of defeat of the controversial Jefferson County community college proposal was cut to eight votes today, following the receipt of 31 military ballots at the county board of elections office. Prior to the arrival of the ballots the proposition had been defeated by an unofficial margin of 24 votes.

75 years ago

Nov. 25, 1934:Development of the Littlejohn game refuge and establishment of a public hunting ground around it, a project long sought by the sportsmen of this section of the north country, is in the program of the state Conservation Department. The state is understood to be seeking marginal farms along Diamond Road to the north of the refuge and along East Boylston Road to the west and the Greenboro-Littlejohn Settlement Road to the south.

100 years ago

Nov. 25, 1909:This year the Thanksgiving dinner is to be very reasonable in price. To quote from a popular advertisement, "no home should be without one."

125 years ago

Nov. 25, 1884:Skating at Washington Hall this evening, as well as tomorrow afternoon and evening. A good many have signified their intention of enjoying a skate Thanksgiving Day. Good music in attendance.

The world

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Today is Wednesday, Nov. 25,the 329th day of 2009. There are 36 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On Nov. 25, 1783, the British evacuated New York, their last military position in the United States during the Revolutionary War.

Thought for Today:"Self is the only prison that can ever bind the soul." — Henry van Dyke, American clergyman (1852-1933).