LEWISTON, ME – The City of Lewiston invites residents to learn about the past, present and future of the Red Shop during a Community Conversation on Mon., Oct. 5, from 5:30 PM to 7 PM at the Hampton Inn, 15 Lincoln St. The City will conclude with a tour of the nearby building.

The city is holding the conversation to explain how it plans to activate Simard-Payne Memorial Park and hear what residents would like to see and do there. Participants will learn about plans for the former Bates Mill complex machine shop, including how it could support community events and concerts.

Built in 1938, the Red Shop served as a machine shop for the Bates Mill complex and helped control water flow in the canal system. Its location at 38 Water St. connects Lewiston’s industrial history with the riverfront’s growing role as a gathering place.

Residents should bring ideas for activities that would draw them to the building and park. The tour will give participants a closer look at the Red Shop and its relationship to the surrounding public space.

What:     Community Conversation about the Red Shop, followed by a tour.

When:     Mon., Oct. 5, from 5:30 PM to 7 PM

Where:    Hampton Inn, 15 Lincoln St.

RSVP:     hello@lewistonmaine.gov.

AUBURN, ME – Cast and crew for Community Little Theatre’s upcoming production of the musical “Cabaret” have been busy lately getting fitted for costumes, no small task for a show like this.

Since its Broadway debut in 1966, “Cabaret” has captivated audiences with its subversive plot and groundbreaking storytelling. Set in Berlin in the final years of the Weimar Republic, the musical portrays a society on the brink of collapse, using the Kit Kat Club as both a space of liberation and a harbinger of impending authoritarianism. As fascism rises outside its doors, the club’s revelers dance in a haze of sex, cynicism, and cabaret. Costume design has played a crucial role in shaping audience interpretations of the show’s themes, characters, and historical context.

Performances of “Cabaret” will be held on October 16, 17, 22, 23, and 24 at 7:30 p.m., and October 18 and 25 at 2:00 p.m. All shows will be held at CLT on 30 Academy Street in Auburn. Tickets are available online at www.laclt.com.

“Cabaret” director Brandon Chaloux, at left, is pictured here with cast member Nex Staples, who plays one of the Kit Kat Boys. Nex has just tried on a possible addition to his wardrobe for the show. “Cabaret” will open at CLT on October 16.

AUBURN, ME – On August 3, 100+Women Who Care Androscoggin held their quarterly fundraising meeting at Central Maine Community College in Auburn. At that meeting, the membership voted to support Meals on Wheels with their donations. The donation, totaling $8100, was delivered to Meals on Wheels on Sept. 9.

The SeniorsPlus’ Meals on Wheels (MOW) program serves homebound individuals over the age of 60 and those with disabilities that reside in Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford counties. MOW is designed to help older adults age in place in the comfort of their home. The program is needs based rather than means tested and uses a weighted scale to serve those most in need – the most vulnerable – first. Nutrition is a basic building block for health maintenance and illness recovery. Registered Dietician-approved meals provide 1/3 of the Recommended Dietary Allowance. Provision of meals enables older adults to remain in the comfort of their own home rather than be cared for in a long-term care facility, ultimately reducing tax-payer burden.

MOW is a three-pronged approach: a nutritious meal, safety check, and social interaction. Delivery drivers provide a brief social visit, are trained to identify safety risks and observe wellness changes. Most clients live alone, are socially isolated, and often have no one regularly checking on them – factors that increase the risk of disease, depression, and mortality. Our program helps reduce these risks.

Last year, SeniorsPlus provided 146,483 home delivered meals to 868 unduplicated clients. 596 of those individuals were residents of Androscoggin County who received a total of 87,515 meals.

100+ Women Who Care Androscoggin is a collaboration of local women who invest in the community by pooling their donations for the greatest impact. They meet four times a year. Members can nominate organizations or projects that are working to address community needs. At each meeting they hear from 3 of the nominated organizations and then vote for one group to receive their donation. The members then write a check to that organization. To date, 100+ Women Who Care Androscoggin has raised and donated $76,610. With a matching grant, the community impact is $96,015.

100+ Women Who Care Androscoggin currently has more than 160 members and welcomes others to join to enlarge their community impact. For more information or to join, email 100womenwhocareandroscoggin@gmail.com.

100+ Women Who Care present a check to Meals on Wheels. Pictured, l to r, are Carol Goyette, Eric Robenstine and Janis Walker from Meals on Wheels, and Marty McIntyre, Founder of 100+ Women Who Care Androscoggin.

LEWISTON, ME – Maine Turnpike Authority’s newest snow plow connected art, mission, and community at the 2026 Dempsey Challenge, where it made its event debut just one day after being unveiled. Positioned near the start line, The Defender immediately drew curiosity, questions, and conversation. As people approached the bright berry pink truck and yellow plow, many paused to take in the artwork celebrating everyday heroes who help clear the way to care.

The design reflects the Dempsey Center’s mission of supporting anyone impacted by cancer, while its ribbon and shield motif highlights the connection between patients, caregivers, Dempsey staff, and MTA crews who keep Maine’s busiest corridor safe.

“It really struck me how connected everything is,” said race participant Kim Cobb, who stopped for a selfie with her 5K team. “Knowing the roads are clear so we can get to our doctors and to the services at the Dempsey Center gives me real peace of mind. Seeing that message on a giant snowplow makes you think about all the folks working behind the scenes to make reaching my care possible.”

One of the morning’s most memorable moments came when Patrick Dempsey arrived by golf cart to see The Defender—named in his honor—for the first time at the event. He greeted MTA volunteers with a laugh, asking if he should “be expecting snow today,” before climbing into the driver’s seat at the invitation of snowplow operator Mike Somerset. Dempsey spent several minutes taking in the artwork and learning about the “beast of a vehicle” built for Maine’s harshest winter conditions. Later, he returned to congratulate auto racer Brandon Barker, winner of the 53rd Annual Nitro Trailers Oxford 250 and an MTA snowplow driver. The two talked about growing up in Maine, racing, and the unique overlap of racing cars and driving a snowplow.

Throughout race day, The Defender served as a visual anchor for the partnership—a reminder of the shared mission behind the collaboration: helping Maine people reach the emotional, physical, and social support offered by the Dempsey Center. The presence of The Defender underscored how reliable roads play a crucial role in connecting patients and caregivers to essential services year round.

Now returned and ready for duty within MTA’s winter fleet, The Defender will carry its message up and down the Turnpike over the winter. Hundreds saw it for the first time at the Challenge; in the months ahead, countless more will encounter it during winter storms as it continues its role as a moving symbol of care, connection, and community.

If you see The Defender out making the roads safe this winter, let it be a reminder that help in Maine is here. Learn more about the Dempsey Center at dempseycenter.org.

A full video recording of the press conference and unveiling from Friday, September 18 will be available on the MTA Youtube channel.

LEWISTON, ME – Entrepreneurs starting a business in Lewiston and qualifying local businesses expanding into new ventures can apply for grants of up to $40,000 or loans of up to $50,000 through the city’s Business Opportunity Loan and Grant Program.

To help applicants complete their applications and supporting materials, the City’s Economic Development staff are offering complimentary training sessions:

Economic Development staff are offering training sessions to help applicants complete their applications and supporting materials. The full 2026 schedule includes:

Tue., Sep. 29 at 5 PM — Lewiston Public Library, 200 Lisbon St., Lewiston.

Tue., Oct. 13 at 8 AM — LA Metro Chamber, 415 Lisbon St., Suite 100, Lewiston.

Tue., Nov. 10 at 5 PM — Lewiston Public Library, 200 Lisbon St., Lewiston.

Tue., Dec. 8 at 5 PM — The Lewiston Colisée, 190 Birch St., Lewiston.

Funded through New England Clean Energy Connect, the program supports for-profit businesses based in Lewiston. Applicants may seek either a grant or a loan, but not both. Loans carry a 5 percent interest rate over a 10-year term. Funding is limited, and both programs are competitive.

Eligible applicants include startups that have not yet opened and Lewiston businesses operating for less than a year when they apply. Existing Lewiston businesses starting a significantly new line of business and businesses relocating to Lewiston for the first time may also qualify.

Businesses must have fewer than 100 employees and be in good standing, with no tax liens, legal judgments or code or zoning violations. Home-based businesses, including child care providers, bookkeepers, bakeries and professional services, may qualify. Franchises and certain business categories, including cannabis-related businesses, pawn shops, gun shops and liquor stores, are ineligible.

Funds may cover eligible expenses such as rent, payroll, utilities, equipment, inventory, marketing, professional services and improvements needed to meet code requirements. They cannot cover past expenses, debt refinancing, back taxes or personal expenses.

Grants generally reimburse approved expenses after recipients pay those costs and submit documentation. Grant recipients may elect to receive up to $5,000 in advance as working capital, with receipts and other required documentation due before additional funds are provided.

Applications must include a business plan, budget and supporting documents, including a lease or deed, applicable permits and licenses, tax forms and identification. Recipients must provide evidence of lawful presence in the United States and sign an affidavit before receiving an award. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Complete applications are reviewed in the order received and evaluated by City. Applicants will be notified within three business days of the committee’s meeting. Those who are not awarded funding will receive feedback and may reapply after addressing the identified issues.

City staff can help applicants understand the requirements and identify needed permits or licenses. Applicants are encouraged to work with a business adviser to strengthen their plans and budgets. No-cost advising is available through SCORE Central Maine, Coastal Enterprises Inc. and the Small Business Development Center at the Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments.

To request an application, confirm submission deadlines or ask about training sessions, contact Economic Development at 207-513-3126 or ECDGrantProgram@LewistonMaine.gov. Submit completed applications and attachments by email or deliver them to Economic Development, third floor, City Hall, 27 Pine St., Lewiston, ME 04240.

AUBURN, ME – The Auburn Public Library invites the community to its 2nd Annual Community Block Party on Saturday, September 26, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The free, family-friendly event will bring together local businesses, community organizations, library supporters, and residents for an afternoon of music, food, activities, and fun.

Following the success of last year’s inaugural event, which welcomed more than 500 people, this year’s Block Party promises even more opportunities to connect with the community and celebrate the Auburn Public Library.

The event will feature live music by Brian Patricks, food from Mow’s Munchies and Isuken Co-Op, local vendors, lawn games, face painting, and other activities for all ages. Community partners participating in the event include Girl Scouts of Maine, Community Concepts, Sweetser, Auburn PAL Center, Lewiston-Auburn Good Food Council, and Auburn Boys & Girls Club.

One of the highlights of this year’s event is the Auburn Public Library Community Block Party Basket Raffle, featuring a variety of themed prize baskets filled with items and experiences donated by local businesses and community supporters. Raffle proceeds will help support the library’s programs, services, and resources. Tickets are available online and at the library’s lending desk through September 25, as well as during the Block Party on September 26. Winners will be drawn at the end of the event, and participants do not need to be present to win.

Book lovers will have another reason to stop by the library that weekend. The Auburn Public Library Bookstore will host a Fall Fiction Book Sale on Friday, September 25, and Saturday, September 26, in the Androscoggin Community Room. Shoppers can browse thousands of gently used adult, teen, and children’s books, with books available for $2 per bag.

“The Community Block Party is a wonderful opportunity to bring people together and showcase the many connections that make our community special,” said Haley Warden, Director of Development & Communications. “We’re grateful to the local businesses, organizations, volunteers, and community members who help make this event possible and help us keep it free and accessible to everyone.”

The Block Party is free and open to all. Public Works will close Library Avenue between Spring Street and the train tracks beginning at 9:00 AM to allow space for festivities. Parking will be available in nearby lots. For more information, visit www.auburnpubliclibrary.org or call 207.333.6640.

About Auburn Public Library: The Auburn Public Library is dedicated to enriching lives and strengthening the community by providing access to information, education, and cultural experiences. Through programs, events, and resources, the library remains a vital hub for lifelong learning and engagement.

AUBURN, ME – Lydia’s Lunch Bunch has reached a milestone with the release of its 500th episode, marking a significant chapter for the local weekday podcast produced by Lydia Media in Auburn.

Hosted by Mark Turcotte with rotating co-hosts Sara Poulin and Lydia Media owner Pam Ashby, Lydia’s Lunch Bunch launched in August 2024 and aims to shine a positive light on the greater Lewiston-Auburn area. The show features local news, events and conversations with people making a positive impact in the community, along with fun, recurring segments including Famous People Birthdays, On This Day and Three Random Questions.

“The format has the feel of a traditional radio morning show,” said Turcotte. “Our focus is on the people of this area,” said Turcotte. “That includes business and nonprofit leaders, public officials, entertainers, educators, artists, athletes and more. If you’re making waves in LA, we look forward to sharing your story.”

“With everything going on in the world, we hope Lydia’s Lunch Bunch can be an outlet for positive energy,” said Ashby. “We also see the podcast, along with our publications, as a way to help businesses tell their stories and show people what our community has to offer. Whether a company is trying to attract employees, introduce someone new to the area or simply connect with the people who live here, local media can play an important role.”

Ashby added that the support of local businesses helps Lydia Media continue that mission.

“We’re fortunate to work with businesses that believe in the value of being part of this community,” she said. “Their support allows us to keep telling these stories, covering local events and highlighting the people, organizations and businesses that make this area special. In that way, it becomes a little bit of a partnership—we help businesses tell their stories, and their support helps us continue telling the bigger story of our community.”

Recent guests have included internationally touring musician Eli Lev, Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Susan Ruhlin, Auburn Manufacturing founder and CEO Kathie Leonard, Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl Classic organizer Bernie McAllister and Poland Spring Resort owner Cyndi Robbins.

The Lunch Bunch also has a mobile setup, allowing the team to broadcast from area events including the B2B Trade Show, Great Falls Brewfest, Art Walk LA and LA Metro Chamber breakfasts. The podcast also expanded its coverage into Western Maine this winter, offering listeners a glimpse into those making an impact in the Oxford Hills area.

The podcast is part of Lydia Media’s broader effort to connect people with their communities through local storytelling. In addition to Lydia’s Lunch Bunch, the company publishes Uncle Andy’s Digest, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, and LA Metro Magazine, a quarterly publication focused on the people, businesses, organizations and stories shaping the region.

Lydia’s Lunch Bunch is recorded weekdays and released around lunchtime. Episodes can be streamed or downloaded at LydiaMediaLLC.com and on major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music.

AUBURN, ME – The Maine Franco-American Genealogical Society [MFGS} is very pleased to host well-known Maine author Suzanne Roy as its guest speaker at its fall general membership meeting on October 17th in the Androscoggin Community Room of the Auburn Public Library, 49 Spring St., Auburn.

Suzanne’s presentation will begin at approximately 11:00 am, following a brief business meeting that begins at 10 am.  Light refreshments will be available for all attendees. Admission to the meeting and the presentation is free and open to the public.

Suzanne R. Roy, a life-long resident of Lewiston, is the author of THE ENCLAVE and its sequel THE LEGACY. These are two historical novels focused on the challenges faced by immigrants and by women in the last century. The books follow the life of a fictional French-Canadian immigrant named Aurore who grows up in Little Canada and whose journey toward self-determination and self-discovery takes place against the backdrop of real places readers will recognize in Lewiston and Auburn. 

Suzanne taught writing in the University of Maine system for several years and is a retired financial institution compliance consultant. She wrote “La Bonne Aventure,” the first federally-funded children’s television series aimed at Franco-Americans. She also did research for the Franco-American Heritage Center, taught a local history class at St. Dom’s,  and wrote several one-act plays, one of which won the Bert Bates Memorial Trophy as best play of the year in 2005 at the Ararat One-Act Play Festival in Australia. She is currently working on a third novel.

There will be time for a question-and-answer session at the end of Suzanne’s presentation. Some of her          books will be available for purchase.

MFGS is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose purpose is to promote the study of Franco-American genealogy and genealogical research in the state of Maine.

For more information about MFGS visit www.mfgen.org

For more information about the meeting, contact Connie Hitchcock, MFGS Recording Secretary,  at cahitchco@aol.com.

For parking information at the Auburn Public Library, visit www.auburnpubliclibrary.org

Suzanne Roy, Author

LEWISTON, ME – One of Lewiston’s longtime hospitality properties has a new name, a new restaurant, and now, a new face on Pleasant Street.

On Thursday evening, September 10, the Maine Grill officially unveiled its new exterior signage at 490 Pleasant Street, marking one of the most visible milestones yet in the transformation of the former Ramada into the newly renovated Clarion Hotel & Conference Center Lewiston. Neighbors, city officials, local business owners, and members of the press gathered from 5:00 to 8:30 p.m., with the sign illuminated during a 6:30 p.m. reveal.

The unveiling represents the final major exterior piece of a property-wide rebuild. The Maine Grill opened in June inside the Clarion following a multi-million-dollar redevelopment led by a new ownership group that includes New York-based KS Hospitality Group. More than $500,000 went into life-safety and infrastructure work completed in coordination with the City of Lewiston, with total committed capital exceeding $3 million through 2026.

A Sign, and What It Signals

“A sign is the last thing you put up and the first thing people see,” said Kanvar Singh, Founder of KS Hospitality Group. “We spent the better part of our renovation on fire systems and electrical work that nobody will ever photograph. Thursday night was the first time the outside of this building told the truth about what’s inside it.”

The restaurant has been open since the property’s June 18 reopening, serving elevated pub fare with an emphasis on local ingredients under Joe McBrady, Director of Food & Beverage and a thirty-year veteran of Maine hospitality. McBrady has held Executive Chef roles at Maine institutions including the Tugboat Inn in Boothbay Harbor and the Tiki Hut in Old Orchard Beach, and has served as General Manager for craft breweries including Foulmouthed Brewing.

The restaurant’s business has grown steadily since opening. A core of repeat guests has taken hold, and the property’s event spaces have begun to book in earnest, with weddings and birthday celebrations now on the calendar.

Made to Gather

The Maine Grill was designed around long communal tables and a room that reads more like a neighborhood restaurant than a hotel dining room. Its tagline, “Made to Gather,” runs through the wider property, which includes a ballroom, a theater, a set of boardrooms, outdoor space, a pool, a gym, and a sauna.

That combination is increasingly rare in the region. The Clarion Lewiston is one of the largest venues in the area able to host a conference, a wedding, and a weekend of guests under a single roof, and its return has brought hospitality, food-and-beverage, operations, and event-staffing jobs back to the Lewiston-Auburn area. KS Hospitality Group has prioritized local hiring throughout.

“While much of the hospitality industry focuses investment on major metropolitan areas, I saw a unique opportunity in Lewiston,” said Singh. “Places like this are where hospitality still has the ability to matter. You’re not just filling rooms. You’re rebuilding a relationship with a community.”

What Comes Next

Additional guest room renovations and event space enhancements continue in phases through 2026. The Maine Grill is open Monday through Thursday 4pm–10pm, and Friday and Saturday 4pm–11pm, at 490 Pleasant Street, Lewiston.

Ethan Jerome / EthanJMedia

AUBURN, ME – Director Brandon Chaloux has announced the cast of “Cabaret,” Community Little Theatre’s first production of their 87th consecutive season, which will open on October 16.

In a Berlin nightclub, as the 1920s draw to a close, a garish “Emcee” welcomes the audience and assures them they will forget all their troubles at the Cabaret. With the Emcee’s bawdy songs as wry commentary, Cabaret explores the dark, heady, and tumultuous life of Berlin as Germany slowly yields to the emerging Third Reich. Cliff, a young American writer newly arrived in Berlin, is immediately taken with English singer Sally Bowles. Meanwhile, Fräulein Schneider, proprietor of Cliff and Sally’s boarding house, tentatively begins a romance with Herr Schultz, a mild-mannered fruit seller who happens to be Jewish. Musical numbers include “Willkommen,” “Cabaret,” “Don’t Tell Mama” and “Two Ladies.”

Owen Lewis will appear as the Emcee, Hillary Perry as Sally Bowles, Justin Morin as Clifford Bradshaw, Justine Weisinger as Fraulein Kost, Ryan Delorme as Ernst Ludwig, Elise Christie as Fraulein Schneider, and Roger Philippon as Herr Schultz. The Kit Kat Girls will be played by Karianna Merrill, Koley True, Carly Dillingham, Ha?nnah Perry, Meg Walz, Lacey Moyse, Hannah Hanson, Phoebe Edwards and Emma Bennett. Appearing as the Kit Kat Boys will be Toby Gouette, Archer Slater, Nex Staples, and Justine Weisinger.

Performances of “Cabaret” will be held on October 16, 17, 22, 23, and 24 at 7:30 p.m., and October 18 and 25 at 2:00 p.m. All shows will be held at CLT on 30 Academy Street in Auburn. Tickets to “Cabaret” are now available online at www.laclt.com.

Season subscriptions are also available online. Subscribers to CLT’s new season can enjoy savings of 20 percent, priority seating, and other benefits. For more information, contact the box office at boxoffice@laclt.com or leave a message at 783-0958.

Pictured here are the cast members for CLT’s upcoming production of “Cabaret.” From left in front are Toby Gouette, Karianna Merrill, Hillary Perry, Koley True, Carly Dillingham, Ha?nnah Perry, and Roger Philippon. Standing are Meg Walz, Elise Christie, Lacey Moyse, Justin Morin, Owen Lewis, Ryan Delorme, Justine Weisinger, Hannah Hanson, Archer Slater, and Nex Staples. Absent are Phoebe Edwards and Emma Bennett.