WATERVILLE – The Morning Sentinel newspaper is marking 100 years in business with a special section featuring its front pages through the years, a concert and journalism symposium.

The Waterville-based newspaper’s first edition was published March 3, 1904.

Executive Editor David Offer of the Sentinel and the Kennebec Journal in Augusta said the Sentinel’s role hasn’t changed very much over the last century: “It is still to report the matters that are important to the area.”

Sunday’s edition included a section that chronicles 100 years of Sentinel front pages. Later this month, the Sentinel will hold a Business After Hours session for the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce. The newspaper will sponsor a free concert by the U.S. Army Field Band and Soldiers’ Chorus later this month in Fairfield.

A special section in May will explore the history and significant events the paper has chronicled. In the fall, a journalism symposium at Colby College will examine the topic of community journalism.

The Sentinel is part of the Blethen Maine Newspapers chain, which also owns the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram and Kennebec Journal.