Dear Sun Spots: I am e-mailing you about a bottle I found in West Bethel at an old bottle dump. It is a Coca-Cola bottle, but it was made by the Vincent Co. in Auburn. I would like to know when that company made Coca-Cola, so I sent this e-mail to you thinking you would have an answer. Also I would like a link to the site where you found the information if you found it on the Internet. — Josh Maillet, No Town.
Answer: According to “Kathy’s Corner” in the e-zine “Soda Fizz” (www.thesodafizz.com), the Vincent Bottling Co. was founded in 1888 by Regis Provost and Sabin Vincent. It was originally called the Lewiston Soda Beer Co. and located at 31 Chestnut St. The “beer” was actually nonalcoholic, or “soft beer,” as an 1893 ad described it.
A few years later the company moved to Auburn. Provost passed away around 1905, and the firm acquired a new name, the Vincent Bottling Co., which was shortened to just the Vincent Co. in 1914. Two of Vincent’s sons also became involved in the business.
Around 1917, the company earned the rights to bottle Coca-Cola. Shortly after that, they became the agents for Moxie. They also bottled Orange Crush, Nu-Icy and a full line of their own Vincent Beverages. In 1927, the company built a state-of-the-art plant where South Main, Mill and Pulsifer streets meet.
Unfortunately, in the 1930s the company sold back the rights to bottle Coca-Cola. The Vincent Co. carried on through the 1940s and 1950s, replacing Coca-Cola with Royal Crown Cola. Orange Crush and the Vincent Beverages lineup continued doing well. The company closed in 1962-63.
Dear Sun Spots: Do you know if the lady looking for a Jack Frost baby knitting book found one? If not, please let me know as I think I have one. — Evelyn Ehrenfried, No Town.
Dear Sun Spots: I found an Olympus xd picture card, 256 mb, in the Auburn Wal-Mart parking lot on Aug. 28. If it’s yours, please call 576-6674. — Jenn, Lewiston.
Dear Sun Spots: In answer to Laurie Marquis’ letter in Saturday’s column, the Poland Spring Academy collects Box Tops for Education and Campbell’s Soup Labels. Poland Spring is a nonprofit school. She may call the school at 998-4566. — Phil DuBois, Oxford.
Dear Sun Spots: This is in response to Laurie Marquis of Rumford. Holy Savior School collects Box Tops for Education and Campbell’s Soup Labels. They can be dropped off at the school during normal hours or there is a container in the back of the church. — Vickie Kuhl, Holy Savior School.
Dear Sun Spots: In answer to the recent question about Box Tops for Education, Campbell’s Soup Labels and can tabs, I am the leader of Androscoggin Junior Grange 185 in Greene. The children are ages 5 to 13½ years of age, and they collect all of those items for some of their community service projects. I would be more than willing to meet with you to pick up these items. Anyone who has items to donate may call Karen Flagg at 946-2016 or e-mail flagg_karen@yahoo.com for pick up. I would also like to hear from those interested in membership information. Thank you. — Karen, Greene.
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