This week’s edition!
Archive for October 2013
New memoir recounts life of Diamond Machine Co. founder
“Business Boy to Business Man,” by Robert Verreault (as told to Denis Ledoux) will be the subject of a program at Museum L-A on Saturday, October 26.
The memoir of an accomplished and determined local business man of a previous generation will be the subject of a program at Museum L-A on Saturday, October 26 from 1 to 3 p.m.
“Business Boy to Business Man,” published in 2013 by Soleil Press of Lisbon Falls, traces the formative years and career of Robert “Bob” Verreault, who founded the Lewiston Machine Shop in 1946. The book describes how Verreault grew the operation from a two-person shop to one that employed more than 200 people as the Diamond Machine Company in the 1980s.
“Wise and Strong Women Speak” set for Nov. 1
On Friday, November 1 from 5 to 7 p.m., the Center for Wisdom’s Women will host another of its events called “Wise and Strong Women Speak.” This semi-annual program series invites remarkable women into a public conversation about their lives. The focus this time will be on aspirations, inspirations, and on the roll of mentors in helping us find and fulfill our true selves.
The featured panelist will be Gale Hart, Finance Director of the United Way of Androscoggin County. She will share her personal story, including how she overcome the challenges of being a single mother of three by the age of 23, left an abusive relationship, worked while attending college, was the sister of a murder victim, lost her home in a fire, and was caretaker to a son with a traumatic brain injury.
Enough is Enough: Attacking achievements in Downtown Lewiston; No Name Pond
By Robert Macdonald
Mayor of Lewiston
When one runs for public office there is an expectation that at times you will be the subject of scorn from the public and the media. In short: the faint of heart need not apply.
Two years ago I ran for and won the office of Mayor of Lewiston. I did not run to be loved by all of the people. I ran to address the problems brought on by political correctness, problems that have been keeping Lewiston from her potential. I ran to address problems shied away from by elected officials who feared retribution and backlash.
In adhering to the commitment I made to my supporters, I have been pilloried in the press. Governor Paul LePage once remarked, “You’re the only person I know that gets worse press than me.” This is to be expected in politics. You can turn up the heat, but I won’t be leaving the kitchen any time soon.
Dempsey Challenge Raises $1.1 Million for Cancer Center
Patrick Dempsey speaks at the Dempsey Challenge in Lewiston, Maine on October 13, 2013. TCT Photo by Jen Pike
“It’s a real testament to the community. We own this together, it’s ours.”
– Patrick Dempsey
3801 participants and over $1.1 million (and counting) in fundraising. Thank you!
Broadway Dolls take stage for Franco Center Gala
The Broadway Dolls, five singers, dancers and actresses who regularly perform in Broadway’s biggest shows, will perform classic songs from Broadway and Motown at the Franco Center’s Annual Gala on October 26.
Broadway standards, Motown hits, stilettos, mini-skirts, complimentary hors d’oeuvres and desserts, and plenty of wine and champagne all await patrons at the Franco Center’s annual gala fundraiser concert by the Broadway Dolls on Saturday, October 26.
Patrons with $35 tickets may attend a pre-concert reception at 6 p.m. and one, called “Broadway Bubbly,” after the show where they can mingle over champagne and dessert with the five women in the Broadway Dolls. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m.
Adoption fees waived or reduced for ASPCA’s “Mega Match-a-thon!”
Are you ready to meet your match?
From Friday through Sunday, October 18 through 20, the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society will join 38 other organizations across the country in hosting an ASPCA “Mega Match-a-thon!” The local shelter’s goal for this second annual event is to find new homes for 200 or more eligible animals.
During this three-day event, dozens of dogs, cats, puppies and kittens of many different breeds, sizes and colors will be at the shelter waiting to meet you. All pets will be spayed or neutered, micro-chipped, and up-to-date on vaccinations before going to their new homes; they will also leave the shelter sporting a new collars, leashes and personalized ID tags, courtesy of the ASPCA.
Regular adoption fees will be waived on all adult cats (ages six months and older) and adult dogs (ages one year and older) throughout the three days. Adoption fees on younger pets will be as follows: $100 for kittens (under six months); $300 for puppies (under six months) and $100 for dogs (six months to one year). Discounted adoption fees will not include “VIP Pets.”
Opening this weekend: “Love/Sick”
A reluctant bride (Heather Dilly) escapes to the bathroom to soothe her cold feet with a pair of isotoners in John Cariani’s unromantic comedy, “Love/Sick,” opening Friday, October 18 at the Public Theater in Lewiston. For show times or ticket information, call 782-3200 or see www.thepublictheatre.org.
Historical Society to discuss mourning in the 1800s
Mourning traditions and practices during the late 1800s will be the topic at a meeting of the Androscoggin Historical Society on Tuesday, October 22 at 7 p.m. at the Society’s headquarters on the third floor of the County Building, 2 Turner Street in Auburn.
Beverly Robbins will describe events that began in 1861, when the death of Prince Albert at the early age of 42 plunged Queen Victoria into a deep despair that lasted for the rest of her life and raised mourning to an art form.
In this country, the death of more than 600,000 Americans in the Civil War affected every home. When the war ended, new government agencies were founded to cope with the problem, and 74 national cemeteries were established.
WHA Gallery spotlights Rothe, Angelides
“Forsythia II” by Irene Rothe
The Woman’s Hospital Association (WHA) Rotating Art Gallery at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston is now displaying watercolors by Irene Rothe of Auburn and photographs by Debbie Angelides, manager of the WHA Gift Shop.
Rothe began painting in 1973 with instructor Phyllis Woodsum of Wayne. She began showing her art work at sidewalk shows in 1992. Her primary medium is watercolor, and she enjoys painting island scenes, especially of Monhegan.
Enough is Enough: True community leaders motivate followers with their vision
By Robert E. Macdonald
Mayor of Lewiston
True leadership is a rare quality possessed by very few. There are successful business leaders who achieve fame and fortune through their hard-working staffs—staffs whose motivation comes from a handsome paycheck.
There are military leaders, whose absolute power over their troops is used to gain promotions and glory—this through the pain and dying of the troops under their command.
Then you have self-appointed community civic leaders—leaders who organize people from outside a neighborhood to come in to address problems in an unfamiliar neighborhood. They refer to this as help. I think it would be better defined as enabling.
True leaders do not rely on riches, power or celebrity status as a way to motivate people. True leaders have vision, a vision they are able to articulate in such a way that it motivates those hearing the message to realize the achievement of that vision is a reward in itself. Such a leader is the Rev. Doug Taylor, who along with his wife, Sonya, founded and run The Jesus Party on Bates Street in Lewiston.
