AUBURN, ME (March 13, 2023) — After a two-year hiatus, the Auburn Public Library Homestead Goods & Farmers Market is returning this year! For this family-friendly event, the APL will welcome many great vendors who will offer a variety of homegrown and homemade foods, treats, and crafts for sale. (We also are expecting a baby animal or two to join us!)

The Auburn Public Library’s Homestead & Farmers Market is one way the library thanks all our community members and community businesses for their wonderful support.

This event will take place on Friday, March 24, 2023, from 4:30-6:30 p.m.

This year’s vendors will include The Chef’s Cupboard, ChiGoBee Farm, Comfort Canning, Lorelei’s Loaves & Treats, Mama G’s Homemade Baked Goods, Meadow Muffin Pottery, Norma Warden Photography, Parris House Woolworks, Valley View Farm, and Warden Family Farm. Local musician Justin Carver will be on hand, and local author Peggy Deblois will be here selling and signing copies of her new book, “The Toll Road North.” And before you head home, don’t forget to stop downstairs at Cibo Pizza to pick up dinner!

For more information on this or other upcoming programs offered by the Auburn Public Library, visit our website (auburnpubliclibrary.org), our Facebook page (Auburn Public Library Advocates), or call the Reference Desk at 207-333-6640, ext. 4.

When: Friday, March 24, 2023 — 4:30-6:30 pm, Where: Auburn Public Library, Contact: Donna Wallace, 333-6640, ext. 4

AUGUSTA, ME (March 16, 2023) – Members of Lewiston’s delegation to the State Legislature will hold constituent office hours at the Lewiston Public Library later this month to provide local residents a chance to meet with their elected officials and discuss legislative and state government matters. The delegation will give updates on their work on various policy areas, including the state budget, law enforcement, insurance and financial affairs, taxes, transportation and veterans issues. Office hours are scheduled for the fourth Saturday of every month.

 WHAT:  Constituent Office Hours

WHO:  Sen. Peggy Rotundo, Rep. Kristen Cloutier, Rep. Margaret Craven, Rep. Mana Abdi and Rep. Michael Lajoie

WHEN:  Saturday, March 25, 2023 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

WHERE:  The Couture Room, Lewiston Public Library, 200 Lisbon Street

LEWISTON, ME (March 5, 2023) — On March 29th, 2023, at 5pm, the Lewiston Public Library Children’s Department will be hosting a program where children will be able to create a decoupage picture frame using pages of discarded graphic novels and comic books. This activity will allow participants to express themselves creatively while creating a functional piece of art from recycled materials.

The program will take place in the Children’s Department and is best suited for children ages 10-14. This is a free activity and all necessary materials will be provided. There is no registration required.

The Lewiston Public Library is located downtown at 200 Lisbon Street at the corner of Pine Street. More information on Children’s programs and events is available by contacting the Lewiston Public Library Children’s department at 513-3133 or LPLKids@lewistonmaine.gov.

LEWISTON, ME (Marc 15, 2023) – SeniorsPlus, the designated Agency on Aging for Western Maine, held its annual breakfast to benefit its Meals on Wheels nutrition program. The 2023 Fill the Plate Breakfast had a capacity audience on the morning of Friday, March 10 the Hilton Garden Inn Riverwatch in Auburn.  The breakfast honored Auburn resident Eloise O’Neill with the 2023 Ikaria Award and featured a talk by former WGME-TV award-winning, longtime anchor Kim Block. 

Kim Block, the five-time Emmy award winning journalist who was the anchor at CBS affiliate WGME-TV for 39 years, stepped down after suffering from a traumatic brain injury in 2019. Unexpected open heart surgery followed in 2020. At the breakfast, she shared how life can change in a moment and how she has brought meaning to her new life in a talk titled, “Becoming the Story: A Maine Broadcast Journalist Shares How Surviving a Traumatic Brain Injury Changed Her Life.” 

The event included the presentation of the 2023 Ikaria Award, which recognizes an individual or organization for singular and outstanding contributions toward improving the lives of older adults, to Eloise O’Neill, who was the Executive Director of SeniorsPlus from 1981-2003. 

Ikaria is a Greek island in the Aegean Sea. It is considered one of the world’s five “Blue Zones” – places where an estimated one in three members of the population regularly lives an active life into their 90s. 

The Fill the Plate Breakfast is presented in conjunction with March for Meals, a national campaign of the Meals on Wheels America. 

 Last year, SeniorsPlus delivered almost 175,000 meals to homebound older adults and adults with disabilities in Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford counties through its Meals on Wheels program.  Each meal provides one-third of the recommended daily allowance of nutrition, a safety check and a visit to these vulnerable adults. The majority of the clients of Meals on Wheels are lower income or on fixed income. 

 The overall program goal of SeniorsPlus is to assist older adults and adults with disabilities in our tri-county area to remain at home safely for as long as possible. The overwhelming majority of older adults (greater than 95% in an AARP survey) wish to remain at home until they die. The Meals on Wheels program provides nourishment, socialization and regular safety checks. 

Since 1972, SeniorsPlus has been improving the lives of older adults and adults with disabilities. As the designated Area Agency on Aging for Western Maine, SeniorsPlus provides statewide services with an emphasis on Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford counties for core services (ie nutrition, information and assistance) that support independent living, healthy aging, and fight isolation. The mission of SeniorsPlus is to enrich the lives of older people and adults with disabilities, their families and communities, and to support them to make informed choices. SeniorsPlus envisions a future where all older adults and individuals with disabilities are engaged and respected while living quality, independent lives in the communities of their choice. Annually, SeniorsPlus serves 10,000 individuals and fields 185,000 phone inquiries. SeniorsPlus offers a network of support, including information and assistance, short-term care management, Medicare counseling, caregiver support and respite, health and wellness education, benefits counseling, and Meals on Wheels and congregate dining. Most services are free. SeniorsPlus is grateful for the support of its many donors and volunteers.

Kim Block (left) was the keynote at the 2023 Fill the Plate Breakfast to benefit Meals on Wheels at SeniorsPlus, Western Maine’s designated Area Agency on Aging. Auburn resident Eloise O’Neill (right) received the 2023 Ikaria Award for her outstanding contributions toward improving the lives of older adults.

LEWISTON, ME (March 6, 2023) – Androscoggin invites the community to join them on May 13th at Pineland Farms for their annual Hike for Hospice Maine event. The event is aimed at raising awareness about the crucial role hospice care plays in Maine and ensuring that all Mainers have access to high-quality hospice care, regardless of their ability to pay.

The loss of a loved one is never easy, but with the commitment of Androscoggin to ensure all Mainers have access to high-quality hospice care, the path doesn’t have to be uphill. By participating in Hike for Hospice Maine, the memory of loved ones continues to live on through Androscoggin’s Life Lives On program. Hike for Hospice Maine is more than just a walk. Every participant and every dollar raised ensures that your loved one’s memory lives on through everything Androscoggin does. This event is an opportunity for the community to come together and show support for an organization committed to improving the lives of Maine residents.

“We are grateful for the generosity of our supporters and look forward to another successful event this year,” said Elif Mogensen, Community Relations and Development Manager of Androscoggin. “We encourage everyone to mark their calendars and join us for a day of hiking, community building, and raising awareness about the important role hospice care plays in Maine.”

Further information about registration for the Hike for Hospice Maine 2023 event will be announced soon. Contact Elif Mogensen at elif.mogensen@androscoggin.org for more information about Hike For Hospice Maine.

AUBURN, ME (March 7, 2023) – A celebration was held Friday at Central Maine Community College (CMCC) to recognize the achievements of eight women who completed the welding program through the college’s Center for Workforce and Professional Development. The cohort is part of the Southern Maine Women’s Reentry Center in Windham and is building job skills in the pre-release program.

“These women have not always been afforded opportunities to advance,” said Corrine Bailey, Vocational Trades Instructor of Maine Corrections. “But they are not afraid to take on the challenge and try something new. They want to go to work and they want to change their lives.”

Nationally, gender stereotypes can also play a role in college corrections offerings. The Chronicle of Higher Education showed instances in Texas and Mississippi where women were offered less than half of the vocational programs offered to men. The Maine Department of Corrections, however, offers equal programming.

“This group accomplished more, and faster, than any other cohort we’ve held so far,” said Forrest Stone, Welding Instructor at CMCC. “The residents know each other and work so well together and are driven to succeed. Expanding these opportunities will only increase the quality of Maine’s workforce in the trades.”

Graduates completed 160 hours of hands-on training in MIG and TIG techniques. The four-week program also incorporated industry and employer engagement in the curriculum. The class visited Western Maine Steel in West Paris to learn about the company and view its full-service operations.

The Southern Maine Women’s Reentry Center is Maine’s only female reentry Center. Residents qualify when they have five years or less remaining on their sentence and are classified as minimum security. Women at the Center are able to work in the community during their incarceration. With the additional job skills and training, they can prepare for a new career in the next stage of their lives.

Corrine Bailey, Vocational Trades Instructor of Maine Corrections.

(March 10, 2023) — Two seniors at Oxford Hills Comprenshive High school took it upon themselves to hold a Pasta and Meatball Fundraiser supper to support Honor Flight Maine. The evening was a huge success. They were able to donate to Honor Flight Maine a check for $9,138. What a wonderful example of being involved.

(left to right) Rosemary Holleman, HFM volunteer; Crystal Guerrette, Medical Board Member HFM; Matthew Mank, Chairperson HFM; Anita Higgins, Board Member, Secretary HFM; Julia Gay and Ashley Gay; and Charlie Paul, Board Member HFM.

AUGUSTA, ME (March 10, 2023) — On Thursday, March 9, Sen. Peggy Rotundo, D-Lewiston, and other members of the Legislature welcomed Matthew Jadud from Lewiston Middle School to serve as an Honorary Page in the Senate session. 

“I am so proud of Matthew for making the honor roll — it was great to see him in Augusta,” said Sen. Rotundo. “I always enjoy showing off the students from Lewiston in the State House. I look forward to having more Lewiston students visit in the future.” 

Honorary pages are invited to perform duties such as delivering messages to Senators and distributing amendments and supplements in the Chamber under the supervision of the Sergeant-at-Arms and other chamber staff. Those wishing to sign up as Honorary Pages should contact Alex Ferguson in the Senate Secretary’s office at Alex.Ferguson@legislature.maine.gov or 207-287-1540.

Sen. Peggy Rotundo with Lewiston Middle School honor roll student Matthew Jadud in the Senate Chamber.

LEWISTON, ME (February 27, 2023) – Through the kindness and generosity of Androscoggin’s employees AndroGives Program, $2,967.80 was distributed to Community Concepts in addition to donations from community baby showers, spring cleanings, and winter gear drives throughout last year.

The purpose of Androscoggin’s AndroGives Program is to honor and acknowledge the community’s generosity, as well as to be a trusted healthcare partner in providing support in improving the health and well-being of communities that have provided so much to the organization. Since the AndroGives program was established, more than $16,000 has been raised for local and regional liked missioned non-profits.

Community Concepts was enthusiastically selected as the 2022 community partner by Androscoggin Home Healthcare + Hospice employees. Since 1965, Community Concepts has provided the communities of Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford counties with resources and services that support families’ basic needs and promote self-sufficiency. They provide pathways to a healthy life for and with those most impacted by inequities in Western Maine through programs, partnerships, and advocacy.

Highlighting the importance of working together to improve the quality of Maine lives, CEO of Community Concepts, Jim Martin said: “We are so appreciative and thankful of Androscoggin’s generosity and support. The donation will help CCI support children and families in need of services to gain skills and tools to become independent. CCI is humbled by the compassion of Androscoggin Home Healthcare and Hospice. Their contributions make a significant impact on our communities’ well-being.”

LEWISTON, ME (March 1, 2023) — Lewiston Public Library is relaunching its Outreach Program to deliver books and other materials to homebound residents who otherwise could not access the library and its resources.

The Library is now accepting new and returning patrons who would like to utilize this service on a regular or temporary basis. The free program is open to any residents of Lewiston who are physically unable to come into the building. Those in either private settings or group facilities are welcome to apply.

Delivery will happen once a month and only items from the Lewiston collection will be available to borrow, up to thirty (30) per check out. The Library collection includes over 150,000 books, movies, audiobooks, magazines, and music CDs to choose from, and every library user has free access to online content, including e-books, e-audiobooks, streaming video, language learning, and more.

“Maintaining equitable access to Lewiston residents is an important part of the library’s mission in the community,” says Lending Services Librarian, Katherine Webber, who will be spearheading the program. “We are thrilled to again offer an option for homebound patrons to more easily enjoy the library’s physical collection.”

The Lewiston Public Library is located downtown at 200 Lisbon Street at the corner of Pine Street. More information on the Outreach Program is available by contacting the Lewiston Public Library at 513-3134 or LPLCirc@lewistonmaine.gov.