BRUNSWICK, ME (October 13, 2022) — Who killed Roger Stewart? Maybe it was you! Those two lines capture the intrigue of a new Seance Murder Mystery program hosted by Pejepscot History Center (PHC) October 27-29 in its 19th century mansion, the Skolfield-Whittier House Museum. Running for three sessions each evening, at 4PM, 5:30, and 7PM, the hour-long program begins in the formal dining room with canapes and cocktails. Participants then move throughout the rooms of the house to search for clues to who did the dirty deed.

This event follows PHC’s 2021 sell-out Live CLUE game in the Victorian house. “The clear feedback from that event was ‘Do it again!’” says PHC director, Larissa Vigue Picard. “We thought it would be fun to change it up this year and kill off a real historical character—and a real scoundrel—involving actual Skolfield-Whittier family members as potential culprits. But the story is entirely fictitious.”

Seatings are limited to 13 guests each who assume a character in the mystery. Following the seance, participants look for clues throughout the rooms of the mansion to eliminate fellow suspects and find the murderer of Roger Stewart. One of the participants will be murderer.

An actual business associate of Alfred Skolfield, the home’s patriarch shipbuilder and ship captain, Roger Stewart was indeed a scoundrel: a slave owner from Mobile, Alabama. Pejepscot History Center has focused research over the past couple of years–including a college intern over the summer–to uncover the family’s ties in the first generation to the 19th century slave economy, and how those connections resulted in their wealth and status.

Tickets for the 21+ event are $25 for PHC members and $30 general admission. Participants can also purchase raffle tickets to vie for one of two “Basket of Spirits”–one of top-shelf liquors and one of fancy non-alcoholic mocktail components–donated by the PHC board.

Raffle tickets are $5 each or $20 for five. For more information and online tickets, visit https://pejepscothistorical.org/special-events.

LEWISTON, ME (October 15, 2022) — The Ladies of Mu Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma International are bringing back their annual Teddy Bear Fair on November 5th from 9:00 to 2:00 at the Lewiston High School gym.

The Ladies of Mu are all educators, active and retired, from the Lewiston/Auburn area. Money generated by our Fair goes to scholarships, one for a graduating senior from one of the high schools in the Twin Cities and surrounding communities, who plans to go into education; the other goes to a DKG Member who is working on an advanced degree.

The Ladies of Mu will sell baked goods such as cookies, cakes, pies, bread and an assortment of candies and pastries; used books & DVDs; white elephant items; harvest items such as jellies, jams, salsas, pickles; gently loved stuffed animals; crafts including knitted scarves, hats & mittens, baby layettes, as well as kitchen towels and dishcloths; and holiday crafts including Christmas and Thanksgiving decorations.

They will also have a raffle table with hand-made items, gift certificates for lobster and gas, a children’s craft basket, and many other treasures. We hope many will come out to see us and support our efforts to raise scholarship money.

LEWISTON/AUBURN, ME (October 21, 2022) — Is Jack the Ripper at it again? It’s 1893, and there’s a murderer loose in London preying upon single women. Tired of waiting for the men of Scotland Yard to find the murderer, two sisters who run a local boarding home for women, decide to take matters into their own hands. Joining forces with a cheeky American actress, these three determined ladies set off to solve the crime themselves.

“It’s like a female Sherlock Holmes story”, says director Christopher Schario. “Set over 400 years ago, this witty play also cleverly addresses many of the same social issues women today are still facing, making it a tale of murder and mayhem for the modern-day woman.

Leading the investigation to find the murderer is Loveday Fortescu played by ROBYNE PARRISH. Robyne is returning for her 6th production at the Public, (The Revolutionists, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, The Book Club Play, Miss Witherspoon and Rough Crossing) and recently appeared Off-Broadway in the world premiere of Strings Attached as well as in the film A Man Called Otto with Tom Hanks. Playing her sleuthing sister Valeria Hunter is JOYCE COHEN. Public Theatre audiences may recognize Joyce from last season’s Middletown, and previously in Humble Boy and The Midvale High School Fiftieth Reunion. Joyce has extensive experience performing on Broadway, in films and was most recently seen Off-Broadway in the World Premiere of This Space Between Us. Playing the cheeky American actress Katie Smalls is COURTNEY THOMAS. Courtney has previously appeared at The Public in The Book Club Play as well as Off-Broadway and in regional theatres and is now based in the “other LA”. New to Public Theatre audiences from his career in Arizona is MATHEW ZIMMERER playing all the juicy male characters in the show including PC Crane, theatrical producer Warham-Wynn and the meat butcher Toddy.

The set for Victorian Ladies is designed by Jennifer B. Madigan, lights by Erin Fauble, costumes by Anne Collins and original music and sound design by Scott O’Brien.

The Victorian Ladies Detective Collective will be performed at The Public Theatre, Lewiston/Auburn’s Professional Theatre on Fri Nov 4 at 7:30pm, Sat Nov 5 at 7:30, Sun Nov 6 at 2pm, Thurs Nov 10 at 7:30, Fri Nov 11 at 7:30, Sat Nov 12 at 3pm and 7:30 and Sun Nov 13 at 2pm. Tickets are $25. For reservations call 782-3200 or visit thepublictheatre.org. Location: 31 Maple St, Lewiston. Sponsored by Auburn Manufacturing, Bangor Savings Bank, Warp +Weft and LA Metro Magazine. Season Underwriters: Sun Journal, Platz Associates, Austin Associates, Maine Magazine and Bennett Radio Group.

Actresses left to right are: Robyne Parrish, Courtney Thomas, Joyce Cohen

AUBURN, ME (October 18, 2022) — Certified Nursing Assistant students celebrated their graduation from a Lewiston Adult Education and Central Maine Community College collaborative CNA program on Oct. 14 with family members and staff from both institutions.

The graduates were: Amanda Carr, Elizabeth Coyne, Melissa Fortin, Katherine Mills and Hailey Theriault.

Lewiston Adult Education Assistant Director Razell Ward and Dr. Dwayne Conway, Dean of Workforce & Professional Development at CMCC, welcomed guests and family members to the ceremony. CNA instructor Elise Wiley presented the students with their state certification and special recognitions. The Florence Nightingale Award was awarded  to Melissa Fortin, who was selected by her peers as the graduate most would want to care for their loved ones.  

“The students  were outstanding. They worked very hard and their scores on the final certification exam reflected the hard work they had done,” Wiley said of the students. 

Lewiston Adult Education and Central Maine Community College partnered to provide the Certified Nursing Assistant program. Students completed 140 hours of instruction, including classroom theory, labs, and clinical practicum at Clover Health Care in Auburn. 

“Lewiston Adult Education is very proud of all of the students who completed,” said Director Jennifer Tiner. “They had to balance many responsibilities including school, work and family.”     

In addition to  Healthcare pathways,  Lewiston Adult Education is offering  Applied Technology in the Workplace, Medical Assisting, Today’s Teller, and other workforce certifications for more information call 207-784-2829.

BELOW: Hailey Theriault, Melissa Fortin and Katherine Mills cut up slices of cake following their graduation ceremony at Central Maine Community College in Auburn on Oct. 14.

MONMOUTH, ME (October 13, 2022) — The Monmouth Community Players (MCP) are very pleased to announce our third annual socially distanced Fall production, titled Tales From Monmouth, Maine. The script for the show is adapted from “Beneath This Ground”  by Dr. Larry Buggie, with original monologues written by MCP board member Jane Mitchell. In his book, Buggie brings to life the stories of those buried within the Monmouth Cemetery. MCP’s adaptation of Buggie’s book pieces together some of these tales from beyond in an intriguing stroll through the very cemetery where they are buried.

The show is directed by Ray Fletcher, and publicity is being handled by Josie French. This years cast of specters includes: Jane Mitchell as Susan Gray; Jeanne Fletcher as Lizzie Frost; Charlotte Morin as Carrie Dodd; Karen Lipovsky as Marguerite Marston; Jocelyn Curtis as Nettie Porter; Steve Miller as Benjamin Ellis; Andy Tolman as Joseph Allen; Tony Morin as Lot Sturtevent; Jake Junkins as Asa Clough; and Ray Fletcher as Harry Cochrane.

Performances will be October 21-23 in the Monmouth Cemetery, starting at Cumston Hall,  from 6:30-8:30pm on Friday and Saturday,  and 5:30-7:30pm on Sunday. Tickets are $10.00 and will be sold at the door. The show, despite its ghostly nature, is appropriate for all ages, though some content is a bit dark. For more information on this show and other upcoming auditions and performances, please visit our website at www.monmouthcommunityplayers.org. FMI, please contact our box office by email at mcpboxoffice@gmail.com or leave a message at 207-370-9566. We hope that you will join us for this unique experience!

BELOW: Photo of the Monmouth Cemetery.

AUBURN, ME (October 14, 2022) — The “frothy, fun, and naughty” rock ‘n roll musical The Rocky Horror Show LIVE! will run for four performances October 27-29 at the Community Little Theatre (CLT) in Auburn. 

Since its first appearance at the Royal Court Theatre in June 1973, The Rocky Horror Show by Richard O’Brien has become a worldwide favorite. It has been performed in more than 30 countries and has been translated into more than 20 languages. Often described as a non-stop party, the show follows sweethearts Brad and Janet on an unforgettable adventure, where they encounter Frank’n’furter, a mad transvestite scientist, and his bizarre followers. 

Widely considered a campy classic and a tribute to the age of B-horror movies, the musical features rock n’ roll classics such as “Sweet Transvestite,” “Hot Patootie,” and the world famous “Time Warp.” The Rocky Horror Show LIVE! features significant audience participation. The show is for mature audiences only, and all audience members must be at last 18 years of age.

 Local theater company Rocky for Equality is heading up this production in partnership with CLT. The show is directed by Becca Tinkham with Joe Tinkham serving as musical director, Paul G. Caron as vocal director, as producer, and Brandon Chaloux is the stage manager. 

The show will be performed starting at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, October 27-29. An additional performance will start at 10:30 p.m. on Saturday the 29th. Anyone interested in attending is strongly encouraged to purchase general admission tickets in advance at http://www.rockyforequality.com/tickets. This production is not part of CLT’s season and tickets are not available through the CLT box office.

BELOW: The Rocky Horror Show LIVE! will be performed at Community Little Theatre October 27-29. Pictured here left to right at a recent rehearsal are cast members Josh Caron as Rocky; Danielle Eaton, Columbia; Tony Roy, Dr. Scott; Justin Morin, Frank’n’Furter; Bryce Smith, Janet; and Cody Watson as Brad.

LEWISTON, ME (October 5, 2022) — Safe Voices will honor Sheila Barnies of Lewiston as one of four awardees at the agency’s Fall Mixer and Awards Ceremony on October 20. Barnies will receive the agency’s Volunteer Service Award for her “caretaking of the caretakers” at Safe Voices. 

Barnies – known as “Auntie” to most Safe Voices staff – supports the agency in myriad unexpected ways, from handknit blankets that she has donated to shelter and safe house residents since 2018 (and that also adorn several staff offices), to deliveries of homemade baked goods to nourish advocates during their work, to being a vocal supporter of Safe Voices and encouraging others to do the same. Barnies is a model in how everyone can engage with community service in a way that works for them. 

“The Barnies family is incredible,” says Director of Advocacy, Intervention, and Prevention Rebecca Austin. “And Sheila is no exception. She is this amazing behind-the-scenes force, showing up with love and empathy to support the people who do advocacy work every day. We are so honored by her commitment to us.” 

Barnies is a lifelong Lewiston resident with deep community ties. She graduated from Lewiston High School and worked for many years at Central Maine Medical Center, retiring in 2019.  

Additional awardees at the event include Androscoggin Bank receiving the Community Partner Award, Kayla Duvall of Madison receiving the Shining Star Staff Award, and Dovetail Consulting, LLC’s Andy Jackson of Portland receiving the Kimberley Wilson Community Transformation Award.   

For more information about the Safe Voices Fall Mixer, please contact Grace Kendall at gkendall@safevoices.org or visit bit.ly/SVmixer for tickets. 

LEWISTON, ME (October 11, 2022) — Central Maine Medical Center is the first hospital in central Maine to offer Stryker’s Mako robotic arm assisted total and partial knee replacement and hip replacement procedures. This latest advancement in joint replacement surgery is transforming the way joint replacement procedures are performed.  Daniel Carlson, MD and Michael DeFrance, DO, launched this innovation with a Mako total knee replacement on Sept. 19. These surgeons have undergone special training in addition to their fellowship training to perform this procedure. 

Our Mako robotic certified team also includes orthopedic surgeons Michael Regan, MD and Patrick Fallon, MD.  

Robotic arm assisted surgery is an advanced approach to joint replacement that offers the potential for a higher level of patient-specific implant alignment and positioning. Joint replacement is designed to relieve the pain caused by joint degeneration due to osteoarthritis. Robotic technology allows surgeons to create a patient-specific 3D plan and perform joint replacement surgery using a surgeon controlled robotic arm that helps the surgeon execute the procedure with a high degree of accuracy. 

“The availability of the MAKO robot, in the hands of a skilled surgeon and team, is changing the way joint replacement surgeries are performed,” said Dr. DeFrance. “Using a virtual 3D model, surgeons personalize each patient’s surgical plan pre-operatively, to determine how the surgeon will position the implant before entering the operating room. Robotic joint replacement surgery offers patients many benefits, including increased precision for more accurate joint replacements, fewer and less scarring, shorter hospital stays, and quicker recovery times. 

“We are proud to be the first to use this innovative technology in central Maine,” said Lauren Adey, MD, chief of Orthopedics at Central Maine Healthcare. “It is part of our commitment to provide our community with the most technologically advanced care possible.”

Learn more about Central Maine Healthcare Orthopedics at www.cmhc.org.  

Learn more about Mako robotic assisted joint replacement surgery at www.cmhc.org/mako

AUBURN, ME (October 3, 2022) — The L/A Community Little Theatre (CLT) will open its 83rd season in January with the critically acclaimed comedy It’s Only a Play by Terrence McNally. 

Veteran CLT performer, director, and choreographer Eileen Messina will direct It’s Only a Play, which will run January 19-22 and 26-29. Laughs ensue during an opening night party at a luxurious Manhattan home where a producer, playwright, director, actors and assorted friends and hangers-on as they nervously wait for the late-night reviews of the opening night of their Broadway play. The show includes adult themes and language. 

Starting April 20, CLT will present the musical Little Women, directed by Brandon Chaloux. With a book by Allan Knee, lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, and music by Jason Howland, the show is based on Louisa May Alcott’s semi-autobiographical two-volume novel. This beloved story of the adventures of the four March sisters is brought to life in this Tony-nominated musical. Performance dates are April 20-23 and 27-30.

 Picasso at the Lapin Agile, an absurd comedy of historical fiction, will take center stage opening June 15. Directed by long-time actor and director John Blanchette, this play written by comedian Steve Martin has Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso meeting in a Paris bar in 1904, where they have a spirited debate about the value of genius and talent, all the while interacting with a host of colorful characters. Performance dates are June 15-18 and 22-25.

The Tony-nominated musical Little Mermaid, directed by Becca Tinkham, will close CLT’s 83rd season in August. Based on the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale and the Disney animated film of the same name, this hit musical is a hauntingly beautiful love about a mermaid who dreams of the world above the sea and gives up her voice to find true love. With music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, Little Mermaid will be performed August 10-13 and 17-20. 

Subscribers to CLT’s 83rd season can enjoy savings of 25 percent and get four shows for the price of three. Priority reserved seating for subscribers is also being restored for the upcoming season. The new season ticket prices are $66.00 for adults, $57.00 for seniors, and $42.00 for students (prices include all fees). Season tickets for new subscribers will go on sale October 1st at www.laclt.com/box-office.

Individual ticket prices have not increased for the upcoming season. Seating for individual ticket holders will continue to be general admission, and sales will be limited to allow for social distancing.

“While we will kick off our official four-show season in January with It’s Only a Play, we are very pleased to announce that CLT will host The Rocky Horror Show in October in collaboration with “Rocky for Equality,” a local theater company  dedicated to facilitating social change in our community,” notes CLT co-executive director Roger Philippon. The legendary rock ‘n roll musical will play on Halloween weekend, October 27-29. Many CLT regulars are involved in the show, headed by director Becca Tinkham, a CLT board member and frequent performer. Tickets and more information are available at www.rockyforequality.com/. The Rocky Horror Show is not part of CLT’s official season.

L/A Community Little Theatre is located at 30 Academy Street in Auburn. A volunteer, non-profit organization, CLT has produced live theatre since 1940 with the goal to provide affordable and quality entertainment in the performing arts as well as education, training, and experience in theatre for area youth. For more information, visit www.laclt.com, or contact the box office at boxoffice@laclt.com or 783-0958.

Below: The four shows of CLT’s 83rd Season.

LEWISTON, ME (October 4, 2022) – The City of Lewiston announced today an open house regarding the Riverfront Island Master Plan (RIMP) to hear input from the public on the future of Lewiston’s canals, river, mills, businesses, parks, and pedestrian pathways. The area represents approximately 140 acres of Lewiston’s downtown, and public engagement is vital towards future improvements to the City.  

The open house was held Wed., Oct. 12, from 5 PM to 7 PM at the Lewiston Public Library, 200 Lisbon Street, Callahan Hall.

“Lewiston’s riverfront and mill district are vital aspects of our community,” said Mayor Carl L. Sheline. Prior to the open house, Sheline said, “This gathering will be a great opportunity for people to share their perspectives for an enhanced riverfront. Talking and brainstorming together is an important part of the public process and will result in a better outcome.” 

The City has partnered with consultants from Halvorson Tighe & Bond to facilitate the Riverfront Island Master Plan, which includes hearing from residents as to how the river can be utilized as a community asset, attract new development and mix of uses in our historic buildings, improve multi-modal connections, improve downtown accessibility, revitalize and expand open spaces, and start improving our historic canals. 

Those unable to attend may visit https://www.lewiston-riverfront.com to sign up for updates, notices of future public meetings, and provide feedback.