AUBURN, ME – The Auburn Community Concert Band will present an evening of patriotic music on Wednesday, July 2nd at Festival Plaza in downtown Auburn. The free concert will take place from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. at this Main Street location.

The 90-minute performance will include well-known marches and patriotic songs, along with hit songs made popular by Neil Diamond, the Beach Boys, Earth, Wind and Fire, and the Four Seasons.

The band will also play a tribute to audience members who have served in the Armed Forces, by performing the theme song of all five military branches.

According to Band Director Milt Simon, this may be the only such patriotic-themed concert of its kind taking place anywhere in Central Maine. He stated that the music to be performed by this 49-member band will reflect the country’s sentiments of patriotism and nostalgia, in a true showing of Americana.

People planning to attend the event should bring their own lawn chair on which to sit, and are advised to arrive well before the 7:00 p.m. start time, as the largest audience of the summer is anticipated. Ample free parking will be available in the parking garage located across the street from the Plaza. Auburn’s Age Friendly group will be onsite selling refreshments, and portable toilets will be available alongside the parking garage.

This will be the band’s 3rd performance of their 10-week summer series. Concerts will continue to take place every Wednesday evening through August 20th, weather permitting. For more information, including a weekly song listing, visit the band’s web site at www.auburncommunityband.com.

Auburn Community Concert Band

LEWISTON, ME – Maine’s Got Talent winner Amy Stacey Curtis will be performing at the Franco Center in Lewiston, Maine, July 30th, 6-7pm! The performance has been described as a “celebration of strength, creativity, and the healing power of music.”

More about Amy Stacey Curtis:

In early March 2017, like the flip of a switch, something was horribly wrong with my brain. My brain was deluged with horrific, repetitive, vivid, moving images, images that would play nonstop, 24 hours a day, for 22 months. Six months into this psychosis I lost all control of the muscles in my body including the muscles in my face. I lost my ability to speak, stricken with a severe palsy and sometimes complete non-verbalism, as if the cord between my brain and my mouth had been cut.

 After 15 months of schizophrenia-diagnosing doctors, two psychiatric wards, and eight antipsychotic drugs, it was finally determined by a naturopath that I had had Lyme disease some time in my past and that it had attacked and severely injured my brain. By then it was too late to treat the Lyme disease; it was all about strengthening my brain and trying to reclaim my abilities.

 After 22 months, the psychosis would eventually be slowed with 16 treatments of electroconvulsive therapy. But it would take two more years for the images to completely stop. Meanwhile, I met a local occupational therapist with whom we figured out muscle control fixes through trial and error. After six years of progressing from psychosis and wheelchair, to walker, to cane, back to my feet, I was still struggling with my speech when I intuited that playing an instrument could help, doing multiple things at the same time as a regular practice.

 Within a week of playing the ukulele I was capable of perfect-for-me speech unless overstimulated. For over two and a half years, I have practiced an hour every day, learning five new songs a week, as a self-prescribed occupational therapy. To date I have learned over 500 songs, and over the past two and a half years, my speech has improved even when palsied. I share my story and sing my latest new-for-me cover songs publicly and on social media including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok where one of my videos has over 600K views.

 And I recently won Maine’s Got Talent! View the performance at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyEl2a83B5s

AUBURN, ME – HUD awarded the City of Auburn, Maine a $1 million loan guarantee under Section 108 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 that will be used to develop the Androscoggin Resource Center Project. This project will serve as a resource center for homeless individuals and other at-risk populations in Auburn, providing critical support to those in crisis while helping launch them on a path toward self-sufficiency.

 “At HUD, we are working hand-in-hand with local and state leaders to help vulnerable Americans get off the streets and back on their feet,” said U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner. “Supportive services like those slated to be offered at the Androscoggin Resource Center are key to breaking long-term cycles of poverty and uplifting forgotten communities.”

About the Androscoggin Resource Center Project:

This loan guarantee will be used for the development of the Androscoggin Resource Center Project in Auburn.

The development involves the adaptive reuse of a vacant, city-owned facility, located at 121 Mill Street in Auburn.

The funds will be used to transform it into a 15,000-square-foot community resource center that includes different spaces and uses, such as offices, community room, kitchen, and storage.

The Center will create a central location where individuals can access a variety of services, which enhances support for vulnerable populations and strengthens Auburn’s community development initiatives.

Through this facility, nonprofit service providers will be able to offer housing assistance, clothing, food, counseling, and case management services.

 About Section 108:

The Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program (Section 108) provides Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) recipients with the ability to leverage their annual grant allocation to access low-cost, flexible financing for economic development, housing, public facility, and infrastructure projects.

Communities can use Section 108 guaranteed loans to either finance specific projects or to launch loan funds to finance multiple projects over several years.

Section 108’s unique flexibility and range of applications makes it one of the most potent and important public investment tools that HUD offers to state and local governments.

It is often used to catalyze private economic activity in areas in need of revitalization in cities and counties across the nation or to fill a financing gap in an important community project.

The program’s flexible repayment terms also make it ideal for layering with other sources of community and economic development financing including, but not limited to, New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC), Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), and Opportunity Zone investments.

LEWISTON, ME – It’s officially outdoor fun season in Maine, and on Friday, June 27th, downtown Lewiston is the place to be. Between 5-8pm, Lisbon Street will be blocked off between Ash and Main streets for LA Arts’ second annual Art Walk Block Party. From fine arts to local crafts indoors and out, food trucks to full-service local restaurants, and live performances from one end of the street to the other, there’s something for everyone at this free, family-friendly event.

Art Walk LA turns Lewiston’s downtown into a bustling arts district on the final Friday of each month from May through September. For the June 27th Block Party, organizers are going all out with featured artists, performers, vendors, and venues, including:

Juggler Jason Tardy and Aerial Jade performing in Dufresne Plaza

Taiko Drummers at the opposite end of the event strip

Live painting with muralists Serafim Yssolo and The Color Wizard

Caricatures and macrame crafting in the Wicked Wing Alley family zone

Visual art from Jason Alexander of Fogbreaker Studios (MEDco, 40 Lisbon St.), Edna Sebastia? (Angolan Community of Maine, 86 Lisbon St.), Mariah Pfeiffer (Androscoggin Historical Society, 93 Lisbon St.), Libby Sipe (LA Arts, 168 Lisbon St.), Kayleigh Pulsifer (Ellard Studios, upstairs at 178 Lisbon St.), and others;

Hands-on activities with Art Van;

“Name That Mystery House” game at Androscoggin Historical Society;

Open studios with visual artworks-in-progress from Clara Boluc and live piano music, photography, and vintage clothing from Shanti Deschaine at Ellard Studios;

“I Wish My Teacher Knew” window display and Friends of LPL book sale outside the Lewiston Public Library;

Food truck fare from Lucky Cat Coffee, Alabama BBQ, Rollin in the Dough, and Yeti Dogs;

and more!

Building on the energy from last month’s successful Art Walk event, June’s Art Walk LA Block Party is not to be missed.

Event Details

Location: Lewiston’s Downtown Arts District on lower Lisbon St.

Time: 5:00-8:00 pm

FMI: www.laarts.org/artwalk

Share your favorite Art Walk LA experiences: #finalfridayla

Free and open to the public; kid-friendly

Call for Artists: Artists, musicians, craftspeople, and performers are encouraged to participate in future Art Walks by registering at www.laarts.org/artwalk. Art Walk LA is a great opportunity for artists to share their work, connect with new audiences, and be a part of a thriving and supportive arts community.

Thanks to our Champion sponsors!

LA Arts continues to engage and inspire a vibrant community through arts and culture with support from its generous Champion Sponsors, including: Austin & Associates; Baxter Brewing; Berman & Simmons; Brann & Isaacson; City of Auburn; City of Lewiston; Davis Family Foundation; Elmina B. Sewall Foundation; Helen & George Ladd Charitable Fund; Liberty Mutual Group; Maine Arts Commission; Maine Community Foundation; Morton Kelly Charitable Trust; Mount Auburn Dental; Onion Foundation; Platz Associates; Sun Journal; Town Fair Tire Foundation; Turner Publishing.

LEWISTON/AUBUIRN, ME – SeniorsPlus invites the community to support a great cause while enjoying a night of summer fun at Family Night Out, taking place on Wednesday, June 25, from 4 to 9 p.m. at Lost Valley Brew Pub in Auburn. This family-friendly fundraiser will feature live music from local reggae band Roots, Rhythm & Dub, lawn games, children’s activities, raffles, and a 50/50 drawing. In support of the event, Lost Valley will donate 15% of all food sales to the SeniorsPlus Encompass Capital Campaign. Learn more: Family Fundraiser Night Out at Lost Valley 2025

This engaging evening of music, food, and community supports the mission of SeniorsPlus, the designated Area Agency on Aging for Western Maine. For over 50 years, the organization has helped older adults and individuals with disabilities in Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford Counties live independently and with dignity. As Maine now has the highest median age in the country, and more than 20% of the population is over 65, the need for the services provided by SeniorsPlus has never been greater.

This summer, SeniorsPlus will break ground on a new facility on Mollison Way in Lewiston. The building will house a state-of-the-art Meals on Wheels kitchen and an expanded lifelong learning center—key resources that help older adults stay healthy, engaged, and at home for as long as possible.

Sponsorship Opportunity – $1,000 Event Sponsor Sponsoring Family Night Out at Lost Valley is a $1,000 opportunity to support the SeniorsPlus Encompass Capital Campaign while gaining visibility in the community. Sponsors will be recognized in event promotions, have a presence at the event, and may host a children’s activity or speak during the evening.

The foundations of renewal

By Bryan Kaenrath, City Administrator – City of Lewiston, ME

Two weeks ago, I shared my commitment to being visible, accessible, and responsive as we begin writing a bold new chapter in Lewiston’s proud and storied history. That commitment hasn’t simply held steady, rather it has deepened: reinforced by every conversation that I have had, every challenge that I have heard about, and every opportunity that I have seen. From neighborhood listening sessions to the city’s actions, our team at City Hall and across city departments is moving with clarity and conviction. We are raising the bar and redefining what Lewiston can be, should, and must be. But for us to reach our goals, and to achieve the great heights that we all aspire to reach, we need to first establish a strong foundation. A foundation of renewal. A foundation that we are setting in the following ways.

Listening, Learning, and Leading

As promised, we’re taking City Hall into the community. Our most recent Public Listening Session was held Monday, June 10th, from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM at Geiger School. I’m so grateful to all the residents and business owners who took time out of their busy schedules to join us and share their thoughts about life in Lewiston. These sessions are so important to our team as they allow us to better direct our time and resources toward issues and opportunities that have the greatest impact on our community. Through these sessions, we’re eager to dismantle silos and foster a shared sense of ownership over Lewiston’s future.

If you were unable to make it to this listening session, then, I hope you’ll attend an upcoming session. We’ll be hosting them monthly in rotating locations across the city to ensure everyone has a chance to be heard so stay tuned for the time and location of our next meet-up!

Launching the Blight Reduction Team

One point that has been raised in many of my conversations with locals is that Lewiston must look its best. To this end, I’m pleased to share that the city is launching the Blight Reduction Team, a staff-level working group dedicated to addressing the most visible and demoralizing signs of urban neglect such as litter, graffiti, unsecured structures, illegal dumping, and poorly maintained properties.

This is about more than cosmetic changes. It is about defining our identity. A city that shows it cares invites others to care in return. Tackling blight is about dignity, safety, and pride, and we are attacking the problem head-on.

Kennedy Park: Early Progress, Lasting Commitment

When I announced our renewed focus on cleaning up Kennedy Park two weeks ago, I promised results. Already, we’re seeing signs of progress. Neighbors and visitors are reporting visible improvements, and our efforts have even received positive coverage in local media.

Let me be clear: Kennedy Park is not a place for vandalism, illicit activity, or apathy. It is a space for families, festivals, and community connection. It is a space that we all share. It is a space that we must all care for. We are setting a new tone for this space and others across our city, one defined by high standards and backed by consistent attention, and we will not relent until Kennedy Park and other public spaces reflect the values and aspirations of Lewiston and its residents.

Graffiti: See It? Report It. We’ll Act!

Graffiti sends a clear message: that neglect is tolerated. This is unacceptable and we reject that message. If you see graffiti, report it. Please feel free to email me directly at bkaenrath@lewistonmaine.gov or contact our Public Works Department at publicworks@lewistonmaine.gov. We are appreciative of each report, and every cleanup is a step toward reclaiming pride in our city.

Public Works is Setting the Pace

On that note, I’d like to offer a very special thank you to our Public Works Department for their outstanding street-sweeping efforts this spring. Thanks to their proactive planning and tireless execution, Lewiston’s streets were cleaned earlier and more thoroughly than in past seasons. This steady, behind-the-scenes excellence keeps the city moving forward and makes a real difference in our daily lives. Thank you to Public Works Director Kevin Gagne and his team for their efforts.

Welcoming New Staff & Celebrating Excellence

We’re proud to welcome two new additions to our team. Colby Gagne has joined our Public Works Department as a Public Works Operator and Jacqueline Sawyer has joined our Community Development Department as Assistant Housing Manager.

Finally, I’d like to extend special congratulations to our June Employee of the Month, Dave Gudas from the MIS Department. Dave’s quiet competence, deep technical knowledge, and steady problem-solving are indispensable. He embodies the professionalism we strive for across city government and I speak for staff when I say that we deeply appreciate his 45+ years of service to the city.

What I’m Hearing and Why It Matters

Over the past month, I’ve met with dozens of residents, business owners, educators, service providers, and civic leaders. These conversations are shaping our path forward. These conversations illuminate what matters most to our community: safety, transparency, responsiveness, and visible progress. These conversations are helping us to establish a foundation of renewal. A foundation that will last.

The feedback that we receive at City Hall is not recorded and filed away on a dusty shelf. It informs and directs deliberate actions. Whether it’s rethinking park management, streamlining internal processes, or aligning citywide priorities, what you share with me is being translated directly into decision-making, and I am so appreciative of your trust and support.

Lewiston’s best days are not behind us, rather they are rising on the horizon. Every action that we take to listen more deeply, respond more boldly, and govern more effectively, brings that brighter future ever closer.

Thank you for your partnership, your voice, and your vision. I look forward to seeing you out there.

Bryan Kaenrath

City Administrator

City of Lewiston, ME

FREEPORT, ME – As the Maine Harvest Bucks program celebrates its 10th anniversary this May, the Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets is calling attention to two critical pieces of legislation that will determine whether this successful local food nutrition incentive program can continue serving thousands of Maine families and supporting local farmers.

Since launching in May 2016, Maine Harvest Bucks has generated $3.75 million in direct sales at farmers’ markets and farm stands across the state. The program, which operates at 50 farmers’ markets and more than 20 farm stands, effectively doubles the value of SNAP benefits (formerly food stamps) when families spend them on fresh, local produce. In 2024 alone, nearly $700,000 in SNAP and Maine Harvest Bucks sales were recorded at participating locations – more than triple the $200,000 recorded in 2018.

“Over the past decade, Maine Harvest Bucks has proven that when we make healthy, local food more accessible, entire communities benefit,” said Jimmy DeBiasi, Executive Director of the Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets. “We’ve seen families discover new foods, farmers expand their customer base, and rural economies strengthen. But without legislative action this session, this vital program faces an uncertain future.”

The program’s impact extends far beyond sales figures. More than 15,000 Mainers using SNAP have accessed fresh produce through Maine Harvest Bucks, with participants reporting improved food security, reduced reliance on food pantries, and increased knowledge about preparing healthy meals. The program currently operates in all 16 Maine counties, serving over 400 farmers and producers.

Two bills currently before the Maine Legislature will determine the program’s sustainability:

LD 210 would establish permanent, baseline budget funding of $600,000 annually for Maine’s nutrition incentive programs, providing the stability needed for long-term planning and growth.

LD 468 would add an additional $600,000 annually to meet growing program demand, recognizing that current funding levels cannot keep pace with community need and farmer participation.

“Maine Harvest Bucks represents the best of what government programs can achieve – boosting rural economies, supporting small farm livelihoods, and ensuring that all Mainers have access to fresh, nutritious food,” said Senator Henry Ingwersen, the lead sponsor of LD 468. “These bills aren’t just about funding a program; they’re about investing in the health of our communities and the viability of Maine’s agricultural economy.”

The economic impact extends beyond individual transactions. Research shows that every dollar spent through SNAP generates $1.70 in economic activity, while every dollar invested in program administration yields $4-5 in local food access for SNAP participants. State funding for the program has already leveraged more than $750,000 in matching federal dollars.

The Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets has built strong partnerships with organizations including Good Shepherd Food Bank, Cultivating Community, and the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association to advocate for continued program funding and expand the reach of local food nutrition incentives. In 2023, these collaborative efforts secured $1.2 million in the Governor’s Budget for the current biennium.

“As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, we’re also looking toward the future,” added DeBiasi. “With permanent funding, Maine Harvest Bucks can continue growing, reaching new communities, and ensuring that fresh, local food remains accessible to all Mainers, regardless of income.”

The Maine Legislature is expected to consider both bills in the coming weeks. Supporters are encouraged to contact their representatives to express support for LD 210 and LD 468.

LEWISTON, ME – The Lewiston Farmers’ Market is excited to announce the introduction of “Third Thursday” markets, which will take place every third Thursday of the month, June through September from 4:00-7:00 pm on the green space at 75 Lincoln St. Enjoy the summer evenings with live music, food trucks, and free kids activities! Customers can expect a variety of vendors, offering fresh produce, spices, jellies, soaps, sourdough bread, and more!

The first Third Thursday market will take place on 6/19 from 4:00 to 7:00pm. Customers will be able to purchase their goods with a range of currency including Cash, Credit, Debit or SNAP/EBT (food stamps). SNAP/EBT shoppers will continue to access the “Maine Harvest Bucks” program (http://maineharvestbucks.org/) which provides SNAP/EBT users with bonus fresh fruits and vegetables.

The Lewiston Farmers’ Market is family-friendly farmers’ market right in the heart of Lewiston-Auburn, the Lewiston Farmers’ Market is organized by the Lewiston Farmers’ Market Association (LFMA) and offers visitors a chance to connect with one another and shop for a wide variety of fresh, delicious local foods and goods. The market will operate every Sunday, May through November, and will occur rain or shine.

LEWISTON, ME – Pelletier’s Karate Academy is thrilled to announce five weeks of summer camp this year! A beloved community hub for karate, kickboxing, yoga, and more, Pelletier’s has been building strong minds and bodies for over 30 years. Offering a welcoming environment for kids as young as three and adults alike, the academy believes that karate is more than just fitness—it’s about becoming a better person, building self-esteem, and achieving goals in all areas of life. This philosophy shines through in their summer camps, where children thrive in a structured, fun environment filled with learning and play. In addition to karate-focused weeks, Pelletier’s is excited to host two weeks of music camps! For more details or to register, email dojo@pelletierskarate.com. Visit pelletierskarate.com for a full schedule of karate classes.

LEWISTON, ME – St. Mary’s Health System is proud to announce that its Emergency Department, under the leadership of Micah Gaspary, MD, has achieved Level 3 Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation from the American College of Emergency Physicians.

This national recognition affirms St. Mary’s commitment to providing high-quality, specialized care for older adults in our community. The bronze standard accreditation acknowledges emergency departments that have successfully implemented best practices in geriatric care, including age-appropriate equipment, screening protocols and interdisciplinary education.

The achievement was made possible by a dedicated team of clinical leaders, including Dr. Gaspary, emergency department medical director, and Kelley Parker, RN, who have helped ensure that emergency services at St. Mary’s meet the unique needs of older patients with dignity, safety and expertise.

“This recognition reflects the deep care and clinical excellence our team brings to every patient encounter,” said Win Brown, FACHE, president of St. Mary’s Health System. “It’s a meaningful step forward for our emergency services and a reflection of our commitment to the health and dignity of older adults in our community.”

GEDA accreditation builds on national guidelines developed in 2014 by leading emergency and geriatric care organizations, which recommend practices such as delirium screening, fall risk assessment and coordination with outpatient providers. Level 3 accreditation recognizes emergency departments that have committed to these goals and have made meaningful improvements in how care is delivered to older patients.

St. Mary’s Emergency Department is open 24/7 and offers a full range of emergency services.