AUBURN, ME (July 21, 2023) — Mackenzie Richard as Ariel and Scotty Venable as Prince Eric practice some dance moves at a recent rehearsal for the upcoming Community Little Theater production of the musical The Little Mermaid, based on the Hans Christian Andersen story and the classic Disney animated film. Show dates are August 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, and 19 at 7:30 p.m. and August 13 and 20 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets and more information are available online at https://www.laclt.com/the-little-mermaid-2023 or by calling 783-0958.

Scotty Venable as Prince Eric and Mackenzie Richard as Ariel rehearse dance moves for the upcoming CLT production of the musical The Little Mermaid.

AUBURN, ME (July 21, 2023) –The City of Auburn’s Communications Department launched a new podcast earlier today, entitled Absolutely Auburn! Hosted by Downtown Coordinator Jennifer Boenig and produced by Communications Assistant Abby Borron, the Absolutely Auburn podcast aims to give residents the opportunity to hear from city staff and officials in an in-depth and informative way.

For the inaugural episode, Boenig chatted with Auburn City Manager Phil Crowell and Assistant City Manager Brian Wood on why the city is starting a podcast, what the day-to-day of their jobs looks like, how residents can get involved in local government, and more.

Listeners can find the Absolutely Auburn podcast at https://absolutelyauburn.buzzsprout.com, as well as auburnmaine.gov and goauburn.me, or on their favorite podcast app, such as Spotify or Amazon Music. The city plans to release a new episode every two weeks.

The guests on Absolutely Auburn’s inaugural episode: L to R – Assistant City Manager Brian Wood and City Manager Phil Crowell proudly display their “golden microphone” thank you gifts for appearing on the podcast.

LEWISTON, ME (July 21, 2023) — A new health care pathways apprenticeship class is scheduled to begin at Lewiston Adult Education in August. 

Testing and interviews will be held for the candidates through July. English language learners will receive health care certification along with English language immersion. 

The Health Care Pathway program is divided into three sections, beginning with Health Care Foundations, continuing with Personal Support Specialist (PSS) training and ending with Certified Nursing Assistant training. All include English language immersion as part of the curriculum.  Successful students will have the opportunity to apply and become apprentices at local healthcare facilities.

Earlier in July, students in the ongoing health care pathways apprenticeship class celebrated earning their Personal Support Specialist certification. Their class began in May. Students are scheduled to finish in September and will have earned the certified nursing assistant certification.

To register for new the August session, students must be 18 years old, take the CASAS exam and have started the process to receive their work permit in order to be considered for the class.

Contact Josee Castonguay at jcastonguay@lewistonpublicschools.org for more details about the August health care class.

Students interested in other workforce classes can look for updates on Lewiston Adult Education’s website, www.lewiston.maineadulted.org, about future training programs. They include:

—Workplace technology certification, which will focus on computers, is set for a September start.

—Construction/manufacturing will begin later in the fall.

—Today’s Teller, a banking program, is scheduled to begin in October.

For more information about the fall workforce classes, email Mike Reagan at mreagan@lewistonpublicschools.org.

Health care apprenticeship students show off the Personal Support Specialist certification they earned in July as part of their training at Lewiston Adult Education.

LEWISTON, ME (July 21, 2023) — This is the Festival’s 29th year! The theme is “Boo-Loon Bash,” and the Festival will be held at Simard-Payne Park, 46 Beech Street, Lewiston. Save the date!

AUBURN, ME (July 14, 2023) — Rehearsals are well underway for the Community Little Theatre (CLT) production of The Little Mermaid, which will open August 10th.

Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most beloved stories and the classic animated film, Disney’s The Little Mermaid is a hauntingly beautiful love story for the ages. With music by eight-time Academy Award winner Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater and  book by Doug Wright, this “fishy fable” includes such popular songs as “Under the Sea,” “Kiss the Girl” and “Part of Your World.”

Mermaid princess Ariel is fascinated by the world and lives of people on dry land, and longs to someday join them, though her father, King Triton forbids contact. When she falls in love with human Prince Eric from afar, she makes a deal with her father’s sister and enemy Ursula: she is temporarily transformed into a human and may remain so if she wins the kiss of true love from her prince within three days. The dangerous mission leads to a showdown between good and evil forces which only love can remedy.

Director/choreographer Becca Tinkham has assembled a large and talented cast for the show, led by CLT veteran Mackenzie Richard as Ariel. Other principal and supporting cast members are Scotty Venable as Prince Eric, Chris Cifelli as Grimsby, Jayson Bray as King Triton, Germaine Robinson as Sebastian, Leslie Reed as Flounder, Zack Balkcom as Scuttle, and Justin Morin as Ursula.

Playing featured roles are Greg Lambert, Ansley Watson, Maria Groover, Makenzie Finnegan, Anna Sargent, Samantha Melquist, Maddy Vaillancourt, Brian Pfohl, Ellie Pfohl, and Heather Pape. In the ensemble are Eddie Angelo, Birdie Gay, Hannah Hanson, Valorie Lake, Karen McArthur, Iver McLeod, Mary Melquist, David Moyse, Lacey Moyse, Brock Rancourt, and Cody Watson.

Tinkham’s production team includes music director Paul G. Caron, assistant director/stage manager Brandon Chaloux, and producers Jennifer McClure Groover and Justin Morin.

The Little Mermaid will be performed at CLT at 30 Academy Street in Auburn at 7:30 p.m. on August 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, and 19 at 7:30 p.m. and August 13 and 20 at 2:00 p.m.

Ticket prices (including all fees) are $22.00 for adults, $19.00 for seniors, and $14.00 for students. Tickets are available online at www.laclt.com/box-office or by calling 207-783-0958.

Members of CLT’s production of The Little Mermaid are pictured here rehearsing a scene from the show. From left in front and center are Cody Watson, Ellie Pfohl, Leslie Reed, Germaine Robinson, Mackenzie Richard, Lacey Moyse, and Mary Melquist. In back are Karen McArthur, Birdie Gay, Brian Pfohl, Iver McLeod, Brock Rancourt, and Scotty Venable.

BRIDGTON, ME (July 14, 2023) — Amy Dugas, director of primary care and specialty services at Bridgton Hospital, has earned the professional designation of Certified Medical Practice Executive (CMPE) by the American College of Medical Practice Executives. 

Established in 1956, the American College of Medical Practice Executives (ACMPE) is the standard-setting and certification body of the Medical Group Management Association. ACMPE offers board certification and fellowship in medical practice management. 

The journey wasn’t an easy one. After meeting the requirements to become board eligible, Amy prepared for and completed two proctored exams, and completed 50 hours of continuing education. In all, it took her just over 12 months.

 “I am incredibly proud of Amy for achieving this certification,” said Stephany Jacques, interim president of Bridgton Hospital and Rumford Hospital. “It exemplifies her commitment to continuous advancement in education and utilizing expert resources to drive successful results for our practices. “

 Amy will celebrate her tenth anniversary with Central Maine Healthcare in September.

LEWISTON, ME (July 14, 2023) — The Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial, Indigenous, and Tribal Populations (“Permanent Commission”) will host a community listening session at Agora Grand Event Center in Lewiston on Sunday, July 23 at noon. Lunch will be served and childcare will be provided on site.

The community listening session is an opportunity for the Permanent Commission to hear directly from racial, Indigenous, and tribal populations about their lived experiences related to disparities caused by structural racism in Maine. The event is part of a series that will contribute to the Permanent Commission’s goal to build the capacity of overburdened communities to identify issues that affect their communities and participate in, influence, and take on leadership roles in related decision-making processes. 

“Community listening sessions are a way to hold space for the people most impacted by racial disparities and to give voice to their own lived experiences,” said Angela Okafor, Community Engagement Director for the Permanent Commission. “Hearing directly from communities is vital to the effort to dismantle structural racism so nothing stands in the way of a good life – the way it should be – for all those who call Maine home.” 

WHAT: Community Listening Session

WHEN: Sunday, July 23, 2023, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

WHERE: Agora Grand Event Center, 220 Bates St, Lewiston, ME 04240. Parking is available at Community Concepts.

The Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial, Indigenous, and Tribal Populations was established in 2019, with the enactment of LD 777 and began its work in late 2021, after receiving its first funding with the enactment of LD 1034.  The Permanent Commission has a mission to examine racial disparities across all systems with a goal of improving the status and outcomes for the historically disadvantaged racial, Indigenous, and tribal populations in the state. The Permanent Commission is empowered to advise all three branches of Maine government and to introduce legislation. More information about the Permanent Commission’s work can be found on its website: https://www.pcritp.me/

Lewiston, ME (July 10, 2023) — Safe Voices will hold its annual 5K/10K Race for Survivors on Saturday, August 5. The race will once again be held at Bates College and runners and walkers will raise money for Safe Voices work as well as awareness about the issues of domestic abuse and sex trafficking in Maine.

Participants can register as a runner, walker, or wheelchair user for either the 5K or 10K distances, and once registered, participants can raise money by collecting pledge donations for their walk/run/wheel efforts.

Safe Voices has a 2023 goal of raising $26,000, and all money raised will fund vital services to survivors of domestic abuse and violence, sex trafficking, and sexual exploitation in Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford Counties.

This is a family-friendly event, and this year’s activities will include prizes and raffles, a kids Fun Run, face painting and lawn games after the race, and refreshments including ice cream from Cool Treats for Charity. Strollers and well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome!

Safe Voices would like to thank annual sponsors Pediatric Associates, Franklin Savings Bank, Maine Source Realty, Dirigo Federal Credit Union, The Computer Place, and Brann & Isaacson, as well as event sponsors Bedard Pharmacy, Oxford Federal Credit Union, University Credit Union, Pat’s Pizza, Champoux Insurance Group, and the Law Offices of Aubrey Russell.

We are grateful our host Bates College. Race sponsorship opportunities are still available! If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, or if you have questions about the race, please contact Emily Mitchell, development operations coordinator, at 207-795-6744 ex. 222 or emitchell@safevoices.org. Race registration is open until race day! Please visit bit.ly/SV_2023race to register.

LEWISTON, ME (July 7, 2023) — Central Maine Medical Center (CMMC) recently welcomed the latest members of its Family Medicine Residency class.

 The seven physicians will work at Central Maine Healthcare locations for the next few years as doctors in training and graduate in 2026. 

Central Maine Family Medicine Residency provides comprehensive primary care services for patients of all ages. They also provide prenatal and obstetrical care and hospital care for adults, children and newborns. Care is delivered by a team of professionals that includes experienced family physicians, Family Medicine residents, nurse practitioners, psychologists, social workers, nurses and other clinical staff. This practice also offers osteopathic manipulation, a dermatology clinic, weekly procedure clinics, integrative medicine and a women’s health clinic. Group medical appointments are offered for diabetes, chronic pain and suboxone. Walk-in hours are available.

 Among the first orders of business for the residents was donning their white coats as they began their work of treating patients. 

We are so excited to welcome the Family Medicine Residency class of 2026!” said Bethany Picker, MD, medical residency director.  They are seven new physicians who come from all over the country and are eager to serve our community. Please welcome them when you see them!”

Back left to right:

Alexander Babaoghli, DO, Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University

Sarang Kumar, MD, Ross University School of Medicine

Front left to right:

Dillon Lawler, DO, Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine

Robyn Rowell, DO, Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York

Yukino Strong, MD, Medical College of Wisconsin

Amy Stedman, MD, University of Vermont Rober Larner College of Medicine

Ramneek Gill, MD, St. George’s University School of Medicine

LEWISTON, ME (July 7, 2023)–The Franco Center is thrilled to announce that Greg Boardman and Chris Robley will perform as a duo in concert at 1 p.m. Friday, July 14, during the Center’s open house. The duo’s combined talents include playing the fiddle and guitar, singing, songwriting, and audience engagement.   

Greg Boardman is a longtime fiddler and teacher in the Lewiston and Auburn, Maine community, having been employed as an elementary strings teacher in Lewiston for several decades.  He also teaches at Maine Fiddle Camp, which he helped found in 1994, and plays as a concert, dance and church musician as much as reasonably fits in his schedule.  His love of Franco American fiddling was nurtured by his fiddling elders, such as Simon St. Pierre, Ray Frechette, Lucien Mathieu and Ben Guillemette, each a legend in their own right.  

Chris Robley is a singer-songwriter and award-winning poet who’s made his home in the mill town of Lewiston, Maine. His orchestral indie-pop and folk music has been reviewed and praised by The LA Times, The Boston Globe, NPR’s Second Stage, Performer, and other publications. Skyscraper Magazine said Robley is “one of the best short-story musicians to come along in quite some time.” Robley’s poetry has been published in POETRY Magazine, Prairie Schooner, Poetry Northwest, Beloit Poetry, and more. He is the winner of Boulevard’s Poetry Prize for Emerging Writers, a recipient of a Maine Literary Award in poetry, and was selected by Robert Pinsky as a finalist for the Dorset Prize. “Chris Robley is at the top of his game with his new work.” – KCRW. “Beatlesy goodness featuring deft wordplay delivered through McCartneyish melodies with a Lennonesque rasp.” – Willamette Week.  

Admission to the 1 p.m. Friday, July 14 concert is free and takes place during the Franco Center’s two-day open house from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, July 14 and Saturday, July 15. Reservations are required for this concert. Fill out the RSVP form at https://forms.office.com/r/0DMsaGjHsc  

At 1 p.m. Saturday, July 15, Wicked Illustrations will bring a paint party to the Franco Center with seats available for 20 participants. The art created that day will feature sights along the Androscoggin River, with a nod to the RiverFest. Tickets and additional information for the paint party can be found at www.wickedillustrations.com. 

There will be other activities at the Franco Center over the two days of its open house including an art display by local artist Anita Poulin; basket making by the Women of the Somali Bantu Community; a performance by Tree Street Youth; a display by the 4H club students of Lewiston High School; tours of the building; and rental information. 

A cash bar will be available on both days. The open house coincides with the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber’s RiverFest in Simard-Payne Park. The Franco Center’s venue is at 46 Cedar Street, Lewiston, a short half-mile, seven-minute walk from the Park. “Visitors are encouraged to spend the day in the Riverfront neighborhood attending events at both venues,” said Denise Scammon, marketing director at the Franco Center. “This is an opportunity for all those who wonder what we do at the Franco Center, or just want to see what the building looks like inside, to visit us.”

 For more information about the concert or open house, call 207-689-2000 or visit www.francocenter.org.  

The open house is sponsored by Auburn Savings; Lisa Laliberte, State Farm Insurance; Maine Community Bank; and Rinck. 

Chris Robley and Greg Boardman are pairing up for a concert at 1 p.m. Friday, July 14, at the Franco Center, 46 Cedar Street, Lewiston. The duo will perform on fiddle and guitar with some singing and foot-tapping music. RSVP at https://forms.office.com/r/0DMsaGjHsc 

Submitted photo.