This week’s edition!
Ride for suicide awareness on Sunday
The ride will depart from the Auburn Mall parking lot at 11 a.m. and will end at Thompson’s Point in South Portland at about 12:30.
A group motorcycle ride from Auburn to Portland on Sunday, September 24 will help increase awareness of suicide and its after-effects. Riders will convene in the lower parking lot of the Auburn Mall near Center Street at 10 a.m. After enjoying free coffee and pastries, sharing memories of lost loved ones, and hearing opening remarks by event organizers and former Auburn and Lewiston Mayor John Jenkins, riders will depart at 11 a.m. along the scenic route to downtown Portland. The ride will end at 12:30, when riders meet-up with participants at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Out of the Darkness Walk at Thompson’s Point in South Portland.
Public Theatre unveils season schedule
Thanks to a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, Maine writer Elizabeth Peavey will collaborate with the Public Theatre to present a new version of her popular play “My Mother’s Clothes are Not My Mother,” to run November 10 through 19.
“September is here, which means it’s time to go ‘back to theater’,” says Christopher Schario, Artistic Director of the Public Theatre in Lewiston. On the heels of being named “Best Theater Group in Maine” for the fifth year in a row by Down East Magazine’s Readers’ Poll and enjoying record breaking attendance for last season’s production of “Ripcord,” Lewiston-Auburn’s professional theater company is excited to start its 27th season.
Young athletes represent Auburn at State Summer Track Meet
Setting new state records at the event were 100 and 200m racer Lindy Hyndman and the Boys’ Ages 8 & Under 4×100 Relay Team of Tallen Berry-Hart, Peyton Langlois, Brodyn Rodrigue, and Eben Thibodeau.
The following young athletes represented the City of Auburn in the 2017 State Summer Track Meet for those ages 8 through 15. Setting State USATF records at the event were Lindy Hyndman, who won the Age 15 Girls 100 and 200m races with times of 13.75 and 28.59; and Tallen Berry-Hart, Peyton Langlois, Brodyn Rodrigue, and Eben Thibodeau, who won the Boys’ Ages 8 & Under 4×100 Relay with a time of 1:10.78. The old record of 1:10.90 had stood since 1991.
Noted Bluesman to perform at Bates College
Corey Harris
The Olin Concert Series at Bates College will present a concert by Blues musician Corey Harris on Sunday, September 24 at 2 p.m. in the college’s Olin Arts Center Concert Hall at 75 Russell Street in Lewiston. Aside from being a Bates College alumnus and the recipient of a MacArthur “Genius” Award, Harris is acclaimed for his rare ability to persuasively channel the raw emotion of acoustic blues, drawing from historical influences that span from New Orleans to the Caribbean to Africa.
For free tickets for students and seniors ages 65-plus, call 786-6135 or email olinarts@bates.com. Tickets for all others are $25 at batesconcerts.eventbrite.com. (Photo by Phyllis Graber Jensen/Bates College)
Governor’s Address: Affordable softwood lumber prices are needed now more than ever
After the devastation from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, the families who have to rebuild their lives need affordably priced lumber.
Dear Maine Taxpayer,
Unfortunately, corporate greed from a coalition of big lumber companies has already sent those prices skyrocketing. Making a profit is the goal of any company—and it should be.
But it is unconscionable that this coalition is in a position that could lead to price-gouging Americans in distress.
The issue is tariffs levied on Canadian softwood. The coalition is holding the U.S. Department of Commerce hostage, trying to slap a tariff on softwood exports to the United States from New Brunswick. But New Brunswick, Atlantic Canada and Quebec border mills have been exempt from the tariff for over three decades.
Enough is Enough: City Council addresses problem of disorderly Bates students
By Robert E. Macdonald
Mayor of Lewiston
Last week the Lewiston City Council in a 5-1 vote brought order back to a Lewiston neighborhood. This long-time quiet residential neighborhood in the White Street/Davis Street area, which borders Bates College, will be returned to tranquility.
Although the problem was brought on by a miniscule number of Bates College seniors, it was not a Bates College problem. It was a City of Lewiston problem. These were a group of seniors at Bates who took advantage of their parents’ wealth, opting to rent apartments and houses off campus, thus neutralizing any attempt by the Bates Administration to control and punish their behavior.
This quiet neighborhood has been the scene of loud drinking parties, many involving underage drinkers. These party-goers urinate on people’s lawns and bushes. They threaten neighborhood residents when confronted by them about their behavior. Trash, bottles and cans, paper cups, condoms, etc. are thrown on the street, yards and sidewalks.
CLT, Franco Center seek actors and singers for “Come Out Swingin’: A Lewiston Story”
In February, L/A Community Little Theatre of Auburn and the Gendron Franco Center of Lewiston will co-produce the world premiere production of “Come Out Swingin’: A Lewiston Story,” a musical written by Portland native Brian Daly. Open auditions are scheduled for Sunday and Monday, September 24 and 25, at 6 p.m. They will take place at the Franco Center at 46 Cedar Street in Lewiston. Those unable to attend at these times are encouraged to call the director to request an appointment. Callback auditions will be by invitation.
Production dates for the show will be Friday and Saturday, February 2 and 3, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, February 4 at 2 p.m. Friday, February 16 at 7:30 p.m. has been reserved as a snow date, if needed.
French Sing-Alongs resume at Lewiston-Auburn College
Aliette Couturier, Rita Gosseling, Jeannine Doucette, Mary LeClerc, Gail Lawrence, Jacynthe Jacques, pianist Jeannette Gregoire, and Louise Bolduc, also known as Les Troubadours, kick off a new season singing favorite French and Franco-American songs on Friday, September 15 at 1:30 p.m. in Room 170 at USM’s Lewiston-Auburn College. All are invited to attend the monthly sessions, where song books are provided so those unfamiliar with the songs, or less than fluent in French, can sing along. The event is sponsored by the Franco Collection at USM-LAC. For more information, call 576-4109.
Tree Street Youth Center director to address Rotary Club
Julia Sleeper
The guest speaker at the next meeting of the Lewiston-Auburn Rotary Club on Thursday, September 21 at noon will be Julia Sleeper, co-founder and Executive Director of Tree Street Youth Center in Lewiston. The event will take place at the Village Inn at 165 High Street in Auburn. Guests are welcome and no reservations are required. Lunch will be available at the restaurant.
Lewiston landmark celebrates 100th anniversary with Gatsby-themed event
Today, the beautifully renovated building serves as a premier event facility.
The Royal Oak Room, formerly home to downtown Lewiston’s historic Maine Central Railroad train station, will celebrate its 100th anniversary this year with a Gatsby-themed gala event on Saturday, September 16 at 6 p.m. The public is invited to help celebrate the rich history of this landmark property by stepping back in time to an era when gin and jazz were the talk of the town. The party will feature live music by Mike Willette’s Big Band, swing dance performances and demonstrations, and a silent auction to bene?t the Alzheimer’s Association. The Royal Oak Room is located at 1 Bates Street in Lewiston. For more information or to buy tickets, call 333-3242 or visit www.royaloakroom.com.
