LEWISTON, AUBURN, ME – After 26 years of growing community through food, the organization formerly known as the St. Mary’s Nutrition Center is entering a new season—one shaped by deep roots, fresh ideas, and room to grow.

Gather to Grow launched their new organization and unveiled their new name and brand. These exciting changes reflect their evolution into an independent organization and their continued commitment to cultivating a just food system and thriving community.

“What started as 14 families gardening together has grown into a movement for food justice, equity, and community care. While our name and look have changed, our purpose hasn’t—and our commitment to this community is stronger than ever,” said Kirsten Walter, Executive Director of Gather to Grow.

This transition comes more than a year after the announcement that the Nutrition Center would separate from the St. Mary’s Health System.

“This is more than a name change for us,” Walter continued. “These changes will make us more flexible, innovative, and responsive to our community’s needs—while helping us sustain and grow services, attract diverse funding, and keep doing what we do best: building community, supporting youth, and growing and sharing food alongside our community.”

With the change, a long-time Gather to Grow partner is stepping up to provide administrative and support services to the organization: the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce.

“We’re proud to support Gather to Grow as their fiscal sponsor,” said LA Metro Chamber President and CEO, Shanna Cox. “We are investing in our community in a way that reflects our values and intentions: We know that when people have their basic needs met – housing, food, healthcare – they are better able to contribute to and thrive in the workforce and community. Gather to Grow is part of making that happen in our communities and we’re proud to help them do that work.”

A former youth program participant, now a Gather to Grow board member, talked about the importance of Gather to Grow’s work in her life: “Gather to Grow has shaped not only our community, but also my own journey,” said Sahro Hassan, Gather to Grow board member. “It gave me a space to connect with others, deepen my understanding of nutrition and food justice, and grow as a mentor. It’s been powerful to watch youth step into leadership while giving back to the community in meaningful ways.”

Gather to Grow will continue to run the food pantry from their headquarters at 208 Bates Street, which serves 500 households each week. They will also continue to support urban gardening, provide important garden and food-based programs for local youth, and host community meals and education opportunities throughout the year.

Learn more about Gather to Grow, their programs, and how to get involved at gathertogrowmaine.org.

By Bryan Kaenrath, City Administrator – City of Lewiston, ME

Lewiston sits on the cusp of something special. You can hear it in every conversation, find it in every neighborhood, and see it in every corner of our city. Since my first day with the City on May 5th, I’ve met with hundreds of our neighbors, local business owners, city employees, and community leaders. While the paths that brought them to Lewiston and their passions, dreams, and aims may vary, I have found that we are all eager to push in the same direction: forward. As City Administrator, it’s my job to turn this energy and passion of our community into actions that offer tangible results. As I enter my third week, I wanted to share a few updates on where we’re headed next, and how you can be part of it.

Coming to a Neighborhood Near You

One of the most important parts of my job is listening. That’s why I will be hosting monthly Public Meet & Greet events in neighborhoods across Lewiston to foster community conversations. These sessions are designed to bring City Hall closer to you, no matter where you live. We have held four Meet & Greets already at Callahan Hall on February 5th, Chick-A-Dee on March 27th, Community Credit Union on April 29th, and Tree Street Youth on April 30th. Our fourth event is scheduled for June 10th from 5:00 to 6:30 PM at the Geiger Elementary School. I encourage every resident and local business owner who can attend to swing by. Whether you have a concern to share, an idea to pitch, or just want to introduce yourself, I look forward to meeting you!

Relighting a Downtown Icon

Lewiston’s 1927 Wiseman Bridge has stood for nearly a century, yet it has long been dark, with its historic light globes broken and graffiti covering its surfaces. I recently met with our Public Works Director to kickstart a light restoration project and clean-up effort focused on this site. Our goal is to relight the historic poles and give the bridge new life. Once this effort is completed, we are eager to celebrate its next chapter at a public rededication ceremony. Optics and aesthetics matter, and this effort will serve as a key part of our ongoing efforts to revitalize Lewiston.

Bringing Out the Best of Kennedy Park

As I walked through Kennedy Park the other day, I couldn’t help but be reminded that our public spaces should reflect the best that our city has to offer. They must be inviting, safe, beautiful, and family-friendly. To ensure that Kennedy Park is accessible to all residents I’ve been working closely with our police leadership, and we are stepping up foot patrols and exploring further strategies to support a healthier, more accessible, and positive environment in the park. This effort is, and will continue to be, a top priority for our team at City Hall.

Standing Against Graffiti

We’re cracking down on graffiti across the City. Allowing graffiti to remain sends the wrong message to residents and visitors and indicates municipal complacency and concession. I’m grateful to our Public Works crews for their quick work to clean up recent tags and I, in no uncertain terms, want to remind everyone that graffiti is vandalism, and it will be removed. To address this problem, we need your help. If you see graffiti, please contact the Lewiston Public Works Department at publicworks@lewistonmaine.gov or by calling (207) 513-3142. We can all play a key role in keeping our neighborhoods and city clean and welcoming.

Reimagining Downtown

Downtown Lewiston is the front door to our city. That’s why we’re working with community partners to bring more life, events, and positive energy to our downtown spaces. At Tuesday’s City Council Meeting, my team presented the concept of creating and introducing a multi-week busking festival downtown. We will continue to make progress on these efforts in the weeks and months ahead and are eager to create a downtown environment that locals are proud of and that visitors go out of their way to enjoy.

Celebrating Our Team

I would like to conclude by taking a moment to offer special thanks to our City Clerk’s Office and the election workers who ran last week’s school budget referendum flawlessly. Their dedication, from registering voters to hand-counting ballots twice, and professionalism ensures the health and vibrancy of our democracy. I’d also like to congratulate Cindy DuBois, our May Employee of the Month, for her excellent work with our Finance Department.

Lewiston is in a moment of transition, and I am honored to work with, and alongside, you as we strengthen the economic, social, and cultural fabric that makes our city and community so special. From small wins to major milestones, we’re laying the groundwork for the next chapter in Lewiston’s long and storied history. While not all our goals can be achieved overnight, through the diligence and dedication of our community, together we can build and maintain momentum that’s impossible to ignore. Let’s keep it up, and I look forward to seeing you out there.

Bryan Kaenrath City Administrator, City of Lewiston, ME

Friday, May 22, 2025

LEWISTON, AUBURN, ME – The Lewiston-Auburn Rotary Club awarded scholarships to graduating seniors from six local high schools at its annual awards dinner held recently at The Green Ladle in Lewiston. The students were selected by their respective schools for their academic achievements, community involvement, and leadership potential.

The Rotary Club also presented donations to the One Lewiston Resiliency Fund and to four community organizations that are devoted to animal welfare, addiction recovery, or providing shelters for women in need.

The L-A Rotary Club has been serving the local community since its founding in 1917. In addition to raising funds to provide scholarships and support service agencies, members volunteer for organizations such as the Trinity Jubilee Center, Autism Society of Maine, Salvation Army, and WISE Zambia. The club meets every Thursday at noon. More information is available  at lewistonauburnrotary.org/.

The Lewiston-Auburn Rotary Club scholarship recipients are pictured here with club president Larry Delhagen at left and Stephanie Gelinas, chair of the club’s scholarship committee, at right. From left the students are Owen Galway, Edward Little High School; Hawa Omer, Lewiston High School; Mabel Tyler, Poland Regional High School; Ashley Roy, Leavitt Area High School; Kassidy Cote, St. Dominic Academy; and Kendall Theriault, Oak Hill High School.

LEWISTON, ME – Theatergoers in the Lewiston-Auburn area have something special to look forward to this June, as the Lewiston-Auburn Community Little Theatre (LACLT) presents “Keep Singing!”, a showcase of three original short musicals written by local talents Linda Hildonen and Colby Michaud. Running from June 6th through 15th, the production doubles as a fundraiser for LACLT, Maine’s oldest continuously-operating community theater.

Both Hildonen and Michaud were raised in Androscoggin County and still call it home. Their work debuted to sold-out audiences in August 2023 at The Playhouse in Yarmouth, and now returns to the region for a heartfelt homecoming. The pair are not only the creative minds behind the music and lyrics but also serve as the producers and directors of the show. Music direction is being led by Michaud and fellow local musician John Neal.

Keep Singing! is made up of three one-act musicals, each with its own distinct voice and emotional tone. The first, “It’s Complicated!”, centers on a couple’s therapy session that takes an unexpected turn when a therapist introduces a strange and “very special guitar.” The second piece, “Chasing James,” follows Brody, a coffee shop owner determined to help his best friend stop falling into the same patterns in his search for love. In this story, Michaud himself plays the role of “James,” alongside Greg Judd and Micaiah Wert. The final musical, “Home Again,” explores a young woman’s struggle with a life-altering decision involving her estranged father. The role of Sarah will be played by Amber Kachmar, with Linda Hildonen appearing as Erin and Alan McLucas as Jack.

Performances are scheduled over two weekends: Friday and Saturday evenings on June 6th, 7th, 13th, and 14th at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday matinees on June 8th and 15th at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are priced at $25 for the general public and $22 for students and seniors. They can be purchased online in advance or at the door, while supplies last. Due to some adult themes and humor, the production is not recommended for audience members under the age of 16.

Linda Hildonen, who also serves on LACLT’s board of directors, emphasized the importance of community support in keeping local theater alive. “Now, more than ever, it is important for us to support our community theaters,” she said. “These are important community centers where people are respected, included, and lifted up despite their racial or financial background, gender, and sexual identity. In a time when so many things feel beyond our control, supporting LACLT is one simple act to help stand up for the humanity of our friends and neighbors.”

This unique event is made possible thanks to generous sponsorship from Andwell Health Partners, Dubois Realty Group, and Praxis Motion Pictures. With original music, heartfelt performances, and a meaningful cause, Keep Singing! promises to be a moving and memorable experience for all who attend. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.laclt.com.

AUBURN, ME – The Auburn Public Library is hosting a live show of the “Mainely History” podcast on Thursday, May 29, 2025 from 4 to 5:30 PM.

Cohosts Ian Saxine and Tiffany Link will discuss the Wabanaki history of the Pejepscot Portage, extending back thousands of years and into the present day, with Historian Joseph Hall (Bates College). They’ll examine what different sources can tell us about the Wabanaki past, and what a history of the Androscoggin River region that takes the role of Indigenous people seriously looks like.

Mainely History is a podcast featuring unscripted conversations with writers, curators, and other knowledgeable guests that connects colorful local stories to big ideas.

Tiffany Link is the Collections Curator at the Maine Historical Society in Portland. Ian Saxine is Assistant Professor of History at Bridgewater State University. Their guest, Joseph Hall, is Associate Professor of History at Bates College specializing in colonial and Native American history, and currently a historian for the Pejepscot Portage Mapping Project.

This program is paid for by proceeds from the Lisa Giguere & Ralph Tuttle Endowment Fund. This program will take place in the Androscoggin Community Room at the Auburn Public Library.

For more information about this and other programs offered at the Auburn Public Library, visit their website at www.auburnpubliclibrary.org or call the Reference Desk at 207-333-6640, ext. 4.

LEWISTON, ME – The Lewiston Public Library will be hosting Bumps & Babies on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday every month starting June 4th from 10:30am to 11:30am in the Children’s Department. The Bumps & Babies program is in partnership with Community Concepts, WIC Maine, Western Maine Community Action, Maine Families and Public Health Nursing.

Bumps & Babies is a support group that provides a safe, compassionate space for individuals navigating the emotional and physical challenges of pregnancy and the postpartum period. Members can share experiences, receive encouragement, and connect with others facing similar struggles, such as anxiety, depression, or the joys and adjustment to parenthood. The group is often facilitated by a trained professional and may include resources on mental health, self-care, and infant care. It’s a place to feel seen, supported, and less alone during a deeply transformative time.

This program will take place in the program room in the Children’s Department on the third floor of the library. This program is free and no registration required. Siblings are welcome.

The Lewiston Public Library is located downtown at 200 Lisbon Street at the corner of Pine Street. More information is available by contacting the Lewiston Public Library at (207) 513-3503 or LPLKids@lewistonmaine.gov.

 LEWISTON, ME – From Lewiston, in early March 2017, like the flip of a switch, something was horribly wrong with Amy Stacey Curtis’ brain. Her brain would be deluged with horrific, repetitive, vivid, moving images that would play nonstop, 24 hours a day, for 22 months. Six months into this psychosis Amy lost all control of the muscles in her body including the muscles in her face. Limbs and head in constant motion, she lost her ability to speak, stricken with a severe palsy and sometimes complete non-verbalism.

 After 15 months of schizophrenia-diagnosing doctors, two psychiatric wards, and eight antipsychotic drugs, it was finally determined by a naturopath that Amy had had Lyme disease some time in her past and that it had attacked and severely injured my brain. By then it was too late to treat the Lyme disease; it was all about restrengthening Amy’s brain and trying to reclaim her abilities.

 After 22 months, Amy’s psychosis was slowed with 16 treatments of electroconvulsive therapy. But it would take two more years for the images to completely stop. Meanwhile, Amy met a local occupational therapist with whom she figured out muscle control fixes through trial and error. After six years of progressing from psychosis and wheelchair, to walker, to cane, back to her feet, Amy was still struggling with her speech when she intuited that playing an instrument could help, doing multiple things at the same time as a regular practice.

 Within a week of playing the ukulele Amy was capable again of normal speech except in environments where her brain is over-stimulated. For the past two and a half years, Amy has been learning five cover songs a week, a self-prescribed occupational therapy that has steadily improved her speech even when palsied. Amy has played over 500 songs, singing in Lewiston most Mondays at Fast Breaks’ open mic and many Tuesday open mics at the The Cage. She also shares her story and singing on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok (all @Amy Stacey Curtis), where one of her ukulele videos has over 600K views.

 Amy recently won Maine’s Got Talent, one of eight finalists performing at the Franco Center May 3rd, an event which raised $60,000 for Andwell Partners’ Pediatric Services including speech therapy for kids. She is looking forward to more opportunities to share her story and play her ukulele, to raise awareness about the bigger effects of Lyme disease. She is also actively looking for an agent for her memoir Hero In My Head: How My Brain Saved My Life (Twice).

LEWISTON, ME – On Sunday, May 18 at 2pm, The Public Theatre will present The Tanglewood Marionettes in their production of The Dragon King, perfect for children ages 4 and up and their families.

When a terrible drought overtakes the land, a courageous grandmother journeys to the bottom of the sea in search of the elusive Dragon King (the ruler of all things water) to discover the answer to why he has not brought rain to their land in a very long time.

Get ready for colorful sea creatures, an exciting adventure, and a Dragon King that will knock your socks off in this award-winning production and underwater fantasy based on Chinese folklore.

Run time is approximately 50 minutes and all tickets are $15.

The Dragon King will be performed on Sunday May 18th at 2pm at The Public Theatre located at 31 Maple St in Lewiston.  For tickets visit thepublictheatre.org or call 782-3200.

LEWISTON, ME – The Force will be strong over Lewiston this summer as the Lewiston Auburn Balloon Festival (LABF) blasts off with a Star Wars theme from Fri., Aug. 15 to Sun., Aug. 17 at Lewiston’s Simard-Payne Memorial Park, 46 Beech St.

This year’s theme, “The Rise of the Balloons,” is an out-of-this-world experience for hot-air balloon lovers, cosplay enthusiasts, and families seeking an unforgettable weekend of fun, flight, and fandom. The LABF committee, a collaboration of staff and residents from the cities of Lewiston and Auburn, brings the intergalactic theme to life with 16 hot air balloons, including four special shapes that are sure to turn heads.

Festival planners are excited to announce the return of tethered balloon rides, a perfect opportunity for guests to experience the thrill of ballooning without leaving the park. During a tethered ride, a hot air balloon rises 30 to 60 feet off the ground while remaining securely anchored, offering sweeping views of the park and city.

“The festival isn’t just about watching balloons fly across the sky,” said Mell Hamlin, LABF Committee member. “It’s about stepping into the magic and thrill while supporting our community. For decades this festival showcases the best of Lewiston Auburn during the peak of Maine summer. As always, our goal is to make it an immersive ballooning experience where you don’t just spectate, you participate while supporting local non-profits.”

LABF remains a signature summer event in Maine, drawing tens of thousands of visitors from across the world each year. It began as a creative way to spotlight the region’s vibrant small businesses and nonprofits. Today, the event spans both banks of the Androscoggin River, offering live music, car shows, a parade, and a makers’ market.

The festival is free and open to the public with something for everyone from sci-fi fans in full Storm Trooper mode to families in awe of the glow of balloons airlifting into the sky, to dancing the night away with Saturday night’s headliner band, Motor Booty Affair.

Organizers invite local businesses, organizations, and individuals to consider sponsorship opportunities. For more information, email at labf@lewistonmaine.gov. To check the event schedule, book a ride, and get the latest updates, visit www.laballoonfest.org or like/tag/follow LABF social media pages at facebook.com/laballoonfest.

AUBURN, ME – We would like to welcome you to the Maine Iris Society’s 44th Median Iris Spring Flower Show! Join us at the Auburn Middle School, 38 Falcom Drive, Auburn, Maine on Saturday, May 24, 1:30 to 4:00 pm. Get ready to feast your eyes on a stunning display of colorful iris flowers and spring blooms. 

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just love flowers, this event is perfect. Admission is FREE and open to the public!  Don’t miss out on the chance to admire these beautiful flowers up close. Mark your calendars and come celebrate the beauty of spring with us! Potted plant sale, too!  Come and vote for your favorite iris stalk or spring flower!