This week’s edition!
Governor’s Address: Health Care Is a Human Right
More than a year ago, Maine voters, including many of you reading this right now, voted overwhelmingly to expand Medicaid at the ballot box. Maine people have waited long enough. My Administration is implementing the will of the people.
Medicaid expansion is the law of the land in Maine, and that is why, on my first day in office, I issued Executive Order Number One, which directs the Department of Health and Human Services to implement Medicaid expansion as swiftly and aggressively as possible.
That was just over a week ago. Since then, we’ve already enrolled 529 Mainers in health care coverage under the Medicaid expansion program.
College Transition Program has January start in Lewiston
College Transition Program instructor Amy Hatch poses with program graduate Bright Lukusa during a recent graduation celebration.
Those looking to prepare for college and scholarship help can sign up for the Winter-Spring 2019 session of the College Transition Program at Lewiston Adult Education. The free program reviews reading, writing, and math skills in a college-style setting. It will also include an expanded focus on time management and finding and applying for scholarships.
Mechanics Savings sponsors annual Remembrance Ornament
Kristin Melville, Director of Marketing and Development for Androscoggin Home Healthcare and Hospice, and Jeff Gosselin, Senior Vice President of Mechanics Savings Bank
Mechanics Savings Bank has returned as the sponsor for Androscoggin Home Healthcare and Hospice’s annual Remembrance Ornament fundraiser. Thanks to Mechanics’ support, proceeds from the ornament sales will directly impact patient care for the home health and hospice organization.
New House Republican Leader hails from Oxford
Kathleen Dillingham
Representative Kathleen Dillingham of Oxford has been elected House Republican Leader for the 129th Maine Legislature. Beginning her third term, Kathleen represents House District 72, which is comprised of Mechanic Falls, Otisfield, and Oxford.
While serving in the Legislature, Dillingham continues to work with her father, aunts, and uncles on the family farm. She is also working toward a degree in Public Administration.
Agencies partner to offer welding program
Pictured here (l. to r.) are Tina Christophersen of Oxford Hills-Nezinscot Adult Education, Patti Saarinen of Western Maine Community Action, Heidi Durgin of Oxford Hills-Nezinscot Adult Education, and Kyle Lamb of Bancroft Contracting Corporation. (photo by Monica Millhime)
Western Maine Community Action and Oxford Hills-Nezinscot Adult Education are partnering with Bancroft Contracting Corporation to offer a new professional welding program. The 92 hour-long program will teach students welding processes used by Bancroft Contracting Corporation and other local employers. Students will learn how to produce high quality welds. The program will include 72 hours of hands-on welding and safety instruction and 20 hours of math for welders and job-readiness skills training.
Governor’s Address: To the people of Maine, “Welcome Home”
On Wednesday night, standing with my grandchildren and my niece and with my hand raised above my heart, I swore to support the constitution of the United States and of our great state, and to faithfully discharge my duties as governor of the State of Maine.
It was the highest honor of my life to take the oath of office to become Maine’s 75th governor. I am so proud to have joined with thousands of you in reaffirming our shared love for our great state and our commitment to building a brighter future together.
There are many in this state who are “the unsung,” as poet Wes McNair has called them. They are the firefighters and teachers, the techies and hotel workers, the farmers and fishermen, the waiters and loggers, and the barbers and millworkers of our towns.
They are our friends, our neighbors. They are immigrants. Laborers. Veterans. People with disabilities. People from away. People we rely on every day. And many who rely on us. This governorship is about them, it is about you – the men and women of Maine.
Rotary Club Carolers a Big Hit at Schooner Estates
Joanne Bollinger sings a memorable “Five Golden Rings.”
The residents of Schooner Estates Retirement Community gathered in its Village Green on December 20 to enjoy the Lewiston-Auburn Rotary Club Carolers singing favorite Christmas hymns and memorable Christmas songs from past years. One resident was heard to exclaim, “My Goodness, there are 25 of them!” So true, as the line of men, women, and young children carolers stretched across the entire stage area.
It was a wonderful concert and residents couldn’t help but join the carolers in singing the songs. To the delight of the audience, the carolers also had their own style of movement, gestures, and impromptu dance steps. As the Rotarians fed off the applause and reaction from the appreciative audience, they got more spontaneous, which added to the response of the crowd.
Rotary Breakfast Club meeting
Auburn Mayor Jason Levesque
Auburn Mayor Jason Levesque will discuss plans for Auburn’s 2019 Sesquicentennial Celebration at the next meeting of the Auburn-Lewiston Rotary Breakfast Club on Wednesday, January 9 at 7 a.m. The club meets every Wednesday at the United Methodist Church, located at 439 Park Avenue in Auburn. The cost for breakfast is $15. All are welcome to attend.
Forensic pathologist returns to Food for Thought
Former Chief Medical Examiner for the State of Oklahoma, Fred Jordan will speak about the historic origins of his profession and its role in solving cases.
Fans of mystery novels and “NCIS” are no strangers to the role forensic pathologists play in solving unexplained deaths. But did you know that the origins of the profession began as early as 4000 BC? The answer to the question “Whodunnit?” often depends upon a careful analysis of how it happened. Throughout the ages, those mysteries have been solved by people who were the forefathers of today’s medical examiners.
Last year, Fred Jordan gave Senior College Food for Thought attendees a riveting presentation on the role of the medical examiner’s office in the aftermath of the Oklahoma City bombing. On Friday, January 11 at noon, he will return to Food for Thought with more information about the history of medical-legal investigations and how they help solve the questions surrounding unexplained sudden deaths.
Great Falls Forum features novelist Paul Doiron
Doiron is a former editor-in-chief of Down East magazine and the author of the best-selling “Mike Bowditch” series of mystery novels.
The 2018-19 season of the Great Falls Forum will continue on Thursday, January 17, when Maine novelist Paul Doiron will discuss “Telling Maine Stories.” The program will take place from 12 to 1 p.m. in Callahan Hall at Lewiston Public Library.
In the literary world, mystery novels have long been viewed as entertaining but unserious. In his Great Falls Forum presentation, Doiron will discuss how crime novelists often deal with social issues other literary genres struggle to address. From the opioid crisis to rural homelessness to post-traumatic stress among veterans of our most recent wars, Doiron has found himself addressing topics that Mainers themselves identify as major problems for our state – all while trying to spin a good yarn.
