MAINE — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine (BBBSMM) invites local businesses, organizations, families, and individuals to sign up to Bowl For Kids’ Sake.  The 2025 seven-county multiple-bowl event major sponsors are: Camden National Bank, the Masonic Charitable Foundation and Quirk Auto Group. 

Every year, half a million people across America come together to have fun and raise money to support Big Brothers Big Sisters.  The Bowl for Kids’ Sake is a fun and easy way for individuals and companies to make an impact on the local community, and has been held nationally for over fifty years.

The local Androscoggin bowling event will be held Thursday, May 8th at Just-In-Time Recreation in Lewiston. Teams of bowlers raise funds for youth mentoring programs in Androscoggin, and then have a great time at the Bowl for Kids’ Sake event joining other local teams on the lanes.

According to BBBSMM Executive Director, Tade Sullivan, every Big and Little match the agency creates and professionally supports, costs about $2,000 annually.  “The funds raised at our Bowl for Kids’ Sake events support matches between the Bigs and their Littles in our programs here in Androscoggin.”

“Proceeds from Bowl for Kids’ Sake events make it possible for our agency to provide mentoring services free of charge to children and families,” said Jennifer Cartmell, the Androscoggin Manager. “Whether you bowl, volunteer or support an event with a sponsorship, you will be supporting a local child.  Big Brothers Big Sisters, fosters strong and enduring relationships, filled with support, friendship and fun with creative activities.”

Businesses and individuals can register a team online at bbbsmidmaine.org, select a desired bowling time, form a team of four bowlers and create personal fundraising pages where supporters can make safe electronic donations. Teams that register early will receive a 2025 Bowl for Kids’ Sake t-shirts at the event. 

Local businesses support Bowl for Kids’ Sake Androscoggin by becoming sponsors, donating prizes and forming teams to participate, but event volunteers are also welcome.  Contact Cartmell for more information.  Additionally, Cartmell would welcome the chance to meet with your organization or business to discuss BBBS programs and how you can support the event and help local children.  Call Jennifer Cartmell at 207-653-3857 or email jennifer@bbbsmidmaine.org. For more information on Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine, visit bbbsmidmaine.org.

AUBURN, ME — Scrabble fans are invited to help raise money for Literacy Volunteers by playing their favorite board game on April 27 at the High Street Congregational Church, Auburn.

This is Scrabble with a twist, as the competition features teams of two to four players collaborating over the same letter tray to try and out-score another team.

Participants can either form a team or register as an individual and be matched with a team that needs a player. In honor of our 25th Anniversary, we have added a Master division for those who compete at tournament level. For players that are accomplished but do not compete at tournament level we have the Pro category, while more relaxed players should choose the Social division. Players collect pledges to benefit adult literacy services in Androscoggin County, and the top fundraisers have a wonderful array of prizes to choose from.

All proceeds raised by players are used to provide critically needed literacy services for adults in our community. Join us on April 27 at the High Street Congregational Church, 106 Pleasant St., Auburn, for an enjoyable afternoon of refreshments, prizes, and good-natured Scrabble competition. Arrive at 1:00 p.m. to sign in as gameplay begins at 1:30. The Scrabble Fest ends at 4:30 p.m. Preregistration is required by April 21. For more information, call 753-6658 or email scrabble@literacyvolunteersandro.org or go to the website: www.literacyvolunteersandro.org.

Congratulations LRTC junior, Cora Moody, for creating the winning design for Literacy Volunteers 25th Annual Letters for Literacy Scrabble Fest. Registration is now open for the event, which is scheduled for April 30, 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. at the High Street Church in Auburn.

LEWISTON, ME — Central Maine Healthcare’s cancer care program is among the best in the nation, according to the Commission on Cancer (CoC).

The CoC is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improving survival and quality of life for patients with cancer by setting and raising standards. The organization promotes cancer prevention, research, education and monitoring of comprehensive quality care.

“As a participant of the Commission on Cancer (CoC), your hospital has earned distinction as an American College of Surgeons Surgical Quality Partner. This designation recognizes that your institution is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards in surgical care,” a statement from the CoC reads.

“This is great news and confirmation of what we already know: our oncology team members are among the best in the nation,” said Tim Counihan, MD, chief of surgery. “This accreditation should serve as further proof to our cancer patients that they are in great hands at Central Maine Healthcare.”

“The Commission on Cancer has incredibly high standards, so it’s especially gratifying to receive this accreditation,” said John Hamilton, senior vice president of service line operations at CMH. “This recognition not only highlights our dedication to quality but also reinforces our role as leaders in advancing cancer care and improving outcomes for our patients.”

The Central Maine Comprehensive Cancer Center is committed to providing high-quality care close to home. In order to offer the best care available, our interdisciplinary team of caregivers continually researches new technologies, meets regularly to discuss case presentations and uses data from the cancer registry to monitor patient outcomes. CMH’s cancer care program has earned numerous accreditations and distinctions—recognizing our cancer care teams who work tirelessly to help patients conquer this devastating disease.

FRYEBURG, ME — South African musician McCoy Mrubata will be returning to the LHE/PAC’s Bradley Backstage on April 17th, at 7:00PM. Mrubata will be joined by his musical collaborator, guitarist Gary Wittner.  Once a member of the legendary Hugh Masekela’s band, McCoy Mrubata has established himself as a saxophonist, bandleader and touring/recording artist.  A recent recipient of the South African Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award and the Kennedy Center’s International Arts Gold Medal, McCoy Mrubata has released over 20 CDs of original South African jazz and has toured the African continent and Europe extensively.  His music blends traditional African roots with American jazz. 

Guitarist Gary Wittner, a faculty member at the University of Southern Maine School of Music and Bowdoin College, has performed worldwide on 5 continents.  He has officially represented the USA multiple times as a Kennedy Center Jazz Ambassador, Fulbright Specialist, and US Embassy Outreach Artist. Gary has released 7 CDs as a leader. He performs original music, instrumental and vocal jazz, Blues and Americana, Latin and Middle Eastern music.  His book, Thelonious Monk for Guitar, published in 1999, has been a favorite of guitarists worldwide. 

Bradley Backstage tickets are $25 for adults and $5 for students. Purchase tickets online at www.fryeburgacademy.org/pac, or call the box office at 207-544-9066. The LHE/PAC is located at 18 Bradley Street in Fryeburg, Maine on the campus of Fryeburg Academy.

For more than a decade, the prestigious BUSRide Good Stewardship Award has honored individuals who exemplify outstanding leadership, ethics, and dedication to customer service in the motorcoach industry. This year, the American Bus Association is proud to announce that Scott Riccio, owner of Northeast Charter and Tour, has been named the 2025 BUSRide Good Stewardship Award recipient.

A Visionary Leader in the Motorcoach Industry

Scott Riccio’s journey in the transportation sector began in 1999 when he founded Northeast Charter and Tour in Lewiston, Maine, with just one motorcoach. Through his strong leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence, his company has since expanded into a thriving enterprise with 13 coaches, three mini-buses, passenger vans, and SUVs, providing a wide range of charter and tour services.

A Champion for the Industry

Riccio’s advocacy for the motorcoach industry has been pivotal. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he lobbied U.S. Senators from Maine for federal relief, ensuring the industry received the support it desperately needed to recover. His engagement with organizations such as The Institute for Family-Owned Business highlights his dedication to strengthening family-run enterprises in Maine.

Committed to Community and Sustainability

Riccio and Northeast Charter and Tour have significantly contributed to their community through various philanthropic efforts. Notable initiatives include:

Potato Palooza is an annual charity event that donates tons of potatoes to food banks and shelters.

Stuff the Bus is a campaign that collects donations for local community groups.

Organizing a GoFundMe campaign that raised nearly $20,000 for a Northeast Charter driver who lost his home and belongings.

Beyond community engagement, Riccio has championed environmentally friendly business practices for over a decade. His efforts have earned his company several prestigious sustainability awards:

2013 ABA Green Spirit Award for environmental stewardship.

2014 UMA Green Highway Award for adopting sustainable initiatives, such as switching to natural gas for heating, implementing a comprehensive waste oil and product recycling program, and transitioning to an all-digital system for driver logs and company communications.

Industry Involvement

Riccio’s influence extends across multiple industry organizations, where he remains an active member of:

Greater Northeast Motorcoach Association

International Motorcoach Group

United Motorcoach Association

American Bus Association

A Well-Deserved Honor

Scott Riccio’s remarkable leadership, dedication to ethical business practices, and commitment to environmental sustainability have impacted the motorcoach industry. His tireless advocacy and community contributions exemplify what it means to be a true industry steward.

Please join us in congratulating Scott Riccio, the 2025 BUSRide Good Stewardship Award recipient!

Every year for more than a decade, the coveted BUSRide Good Stewardship Award has recognized one individual who is considered an ambassador; a dedicated professional who not only provides the highest level of customer service, but who also helps guide the industry forward as a champion of ethics, strong values, safety, operational excellence, and unparalleled leadership.

BUSRide, in tandem with the American Bus Association, is proud to announce Scott Riccio, owner of Northeast Charter & Tour, is the winner of the 2025 BUSRide Good Stewardship Award.

A dynamic leader in the motorcoach industry, Riccio’s influence has been apparent since he founded Northeast Charter and Tour in Lewiston, Maine, in 1999 with just one motorcoach. Under Riccio’s leadership, the company has grown to a fleet of 13 coaches, three minibuses, plus passenger vans and SUVs, offering a variety of charter and tour services.

Through his tireless efforts, Riccio has demonstrated an exceptional ability to lead with integrity and a deep sense of responsibility towards his community and the environment.

During COVID-19, Riccio lobbied U.S. Senators from Maine for much-needed federal relief for the motorcoach industry. He participates in The Institute for Family-Owned Business, which serves family business owners, executives, and employees through a wide range of continuing education programs, networking opportunities and consulting services. The Institute is a comprehensive resource for family-owned businesses throughout Maine.

Northeast Charter & Tour participated in the annual “Potato Palooza,” a charity event that donates tons of potatoes (literally) to food banks and shelters to feed the hungry. “This was a fun event,” said Riccio, adding that the companies made direct donations. “In turn, we all received one ton of freshly harvested Maine potatoes. We gave them away to employees, friends, and family, plus we provided hundreds of pounds to food shelters and food pantries in our towns.”

Northeast Charter also sponsor the annual “Stuff the Bus” school readiness program that provides backpacks, school supplies and other items to prepare low-income students for the first day of school and to ensure their success throughout the school year.

When a Northeast Charter driver lost his home and possessions last year, Northeast Charter & Tour organized a GoFundMe that raised almost $20,000.

In addition to his deep involvement in community initiatives, Riccio has been a fervent advocate for eco-friendly business practices for more than a decade. His unwavering dedication to sustainability has garnered his company several awards in recognition of its environmental achievements, including:

In 2013, Northeast Charter and Tour won the ABA Green Spirit Award for environmental stewardship

In 2014, the company won the UMA Green Highway Award by switching to natural gas to head the company’s headquarters, running a robust waste oil and product recycling program, and moving to all-digital for driver logs and company communications.

As involved in the motorcoach industry as he is in his own company, Riccio is an active member of the Greater Northeast Motorcoach Association, the International Motorcoach Group; the United Motorcoach Association, and the American Bus Association.

Riccio’s outstanding leadership, steadfast dedication to ethical business practices, and unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability have left a profound impact on the motorcoach industry.

His ceaseless advocacy for the industry and his countless contributions to the community serve as a shining example of what it means to be a true steward of the industry. His work not only sets a high standard for others in the industry but also inspires future generations to follow in his footsteps.

BUSRide and the American Bus Association applaud Riccio, winner of the 2025 BUSRide Good Stewardship Award.

AUBURN, ME – In honor of Earth Day, Community Credit Union is excited to partner up with local organizations to host its annual Community Recycle Day Drive-Thru Event and bottle drive on Saturday, April 26, 2025, from 9 AM to 12 PM at our Auburn branch.

This FREE event is open to everyone—no membership required! Local community partners are coming together to provide a convenient and FREE way for residents to recycle a variety of items, including:

Shredding On Site – Standard office paper, file folders, envelopes, and notepads. NorthCoast Services – TVs, monitors, PCs/laptops, and printers (no cords, keyboards, or accessories). Kaydenz Kitchen – Clothing, coats, and shoes. SeniorsPlus – Food, puzzles, unopened adult incontinence products, shower chairs, transfer benches, walkers/rollators, canes, and quad canes (in clean and in good working condition). Kommunity Kritters – Pet food, bowls, toys, treats, and cat litter. SHAREcenter – Personal care items for shelters and schools, office supplies, school supplies, musical instruments and more (a full list to be posted in the Facebook event).

Red’s Moving Inc. – Red’s Moving Inc. will be on-site, collecting bottles and cans to support the SHAREcenter!

This event has been a community tradition since 2009, bringing together local businesses and residents to reduce, reuse, and recycle as we honor Earth Day!

For more details and event updates, visit: https://www.facebook.com/share/18dt742d7N/

Let’s work together to keep our community clean and green!

LEWISTON, ME — The Windham Chamber Singers will be appearing in concert at the Franco Center on Wednesday, April 9 at 7:00 pm as part of their 2025 Spring Tour. The Windham Chamber Singers gained international attention in 1996 when they won the Prize of Vienna, the highest award given at the International Youth Music Festival in Vienna, Austria. Since then, they have captured the hearts of audiences across the globe.

They have appeared in concert with artists including the late Kenny Rogers and Andy Williams, John Rutter, Josh Groban, Noel Paul Stookey (Peter, Paul and Mary), Sutton Foster, Norm Lewis, Mandy Gonzalez and numerous times as special guests of the Portland Symphony Orchestra. Recent performances include their annual American Family Holiday concerts and collaborations with the Celtic Tenors and Portland Municipal Organist, James Kennerly.

Recognized for diversity, their performances include music spanning hundreds of years and many different cultures and genres. For example, in May, 2016, they were featured for the third time at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City in a concert of sacred a-cappella music. In contrast, later that year they joined with tribute band, Master Stroke in a performance that featured the music of the iconic rock band, Queen.

The choir has released four CDs on the Pine Point label and appears on many other compilation recordings as both a featured choir, and as backup singers.

According to the conductor, Dr. Richard Nickerson, “We are so excited to begin our tour in Lewiston and honored to perform at the Franco Center!” Nickerson is also the Artistic Director of the Maine Music Society, based in Lewiston.

What: Windham Chamber Singers in concert

When Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 7:00 pm

Where: Franco Center

48 Cedar Street

Lewiston, ME

FMI www.windhamchambersingers.com

Admission: Adults $15, Students $10

MONMOUTH, ME — The Monmouth Community Players, along with Marquis Sponsor, Great Falls Regional Federal Credit Union, and season sponsors Winthrop Area Federal Credit Union and Readfield Insurance Agency, invite you to join them for their performance of Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell’s Ride The Cyclone. Spearheading this production in her MCP directorial debut is Hannah Hanson (Lewiston). Her creative team includes music directors Rachel Scala-Bolduc (Lewiston) and Moll Brown (Lewiston), choreographer Julie Sanborn (Bath), stage manager Pascal Ford (Brunswick), and producer Tim MacLeod (Auburn).

In this hilarious and outlandish story, the lives of six teenagers from a Canadian chamber choir are cut short in a freak accident aboard a roller coaster. When they awake in limbo, a mechanical fortune teller invites each to tell a story to win a prize like no other — the chance to return to life. This popular musical is a funny, moving look at what makes a life well-lived!

Audience attendance is highly suggested at 18+ but will be left to parental discretion due to the mature themes listed above.

The selection of competitors is portrayed by a multi-talented cast of actors from all over Maine, including: Julia Badaraco of Waterville; Bryanne MacMillan, Archer Slater and Jonny Bolduc of Lewiston; Hillary Perry of Buckfield; Anthony Delorme of Auburn; Owen Lewis of Gardiner; Casper Madarasz of Brunswick; Ben Simpson and Meghan Rivard of Turner; Madeline Labonte of Mechanic Falls; Abram Dwyer of North Yarmouth; Birdie Gay of Monmouth; and Lou Ford of Bath.

Ride the Cyclone, by Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell, is presented through special arrangement with Broadway Licensing. www.broadwaylicensing.com

Ride The Cyclone will be performing in the beautiful, historic Cumston Hall at 796 Main Street, Monmouth, April 18th – 27th, 2025. Performances will be at 7:30PM on 4/18, 4/19, 4/25, and 4/26, with matinee 2PM shows on 4/19, 4/20, 4/26, and 4/27. Understudy performances will be the afternoon of 19th and evening of the 26th. The additionally interpreted ASL performance will also be on April 26 for the matinee performance. For more information, or to purchase tickets, please feel free to email the theater at mcpboxoffice@gmail.com, call them at (207)370-9566, or purchase tickets online at www.monmouthcommunityplayers.org.

Front row: Bryanne MacMillan, Birdie Gay, Anthony Delorme, Archer Slater, Meghan Rivard, Casper Madaraz and Madeline Labonte;

Back row: Jonny Bolduc, Abram Dwyer, Owen Lewis, Lou Ford, Julia Badaraco, and Hillary Perry;

Missing: Ben Simpson

LEWISTON, ME – Today the City of Lewiston launched a new campaign, This is Lewiston, designed to connect transformational investment in the city’s downtown to strengthening the city’s economic outlook.

“This is Lewiston presents a fresh and compelling narrative – one that speaks to residents, future neighbors, business owners, and investors alike,” said Nate Libby, the Director of Economic & Community Development for the City of Lewiston. “It’s a declaration that Lewiston is a city of innovators, where opportunity isn’t just found but created. It reflects both the strength of our community today and the limitless potential ahead. This is Lewiston tells the world our community and our people are worth the investment.”

The campaign, designed by Lewiston-based communications firm Upstream Strategies, includes a website highlighting $174.9M invested in Lewiston’s Choice Neighborhood following the City’s successful bid for federal Choice Neighborhood funding in 2021. The campaign’s photographs, taken by local photographer Ryan Captures Life, feature people who live, work, play, and raise their families in the Choice Neighborhood.

The City launched This is Lewiston to LA Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce breakfast attendees during a presentation about the economic impact of Choice Neighborhood funding. The campaign was developed thanks to funding from the John T. Gorman Foundation.

“This campaign is what businesses across Androscoggin County have wanted for years,” said Shanna Cox, President & CEO of the LA Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. “We have all been part of conversations about the challenges our community is facing. This is Lewiston acknowledges those challenges and asks us to look at Lewiston in its entirety. It amplifies the innovative and complex work people do here every day and that is key to strengthening our local economy.”

During a preview for the Downtown Lewiston Association earlier this week, members noted that the campaign will be a helpful boost for businesses on Lewiston’s Lisbon Street corridor.

“This is Lewiston helps to articulate exactly what discerning investors see here: a growing community worth attention, support, and putting our dollars behind,” said Danielle Snow, co-owner of 75 Park and Chair of the Downtown Lewiston Association Board of Directors. “This campaign challenges us to move beyond tired rhetoric about Lewiston and asks us to invest in what is possible here. Those conversations are critically important to our downtown businesses, and we are proud to be a part of these efforts.”

While the initial phase of the campaign focuses on the $174.9M invested in the Choice Neighborhood from 2021-2024, City leaders noted plans to expand the campaign to highlight businesses and investments throughout Lewiston, which has seen over $324.5M during the same period of time.

“This is Lewiston is more than a campaign – it is a statement of confidence in our city’s future,” said Mayor Carl Sheline. “Through the Choice Neighborhood Initiative and the Transformation Plan, we are not just revitalizing the Tree Streets, we are demonstrating what strategic investment can achieve. The economic momentum we are seeing is proof that when we invest in people and place, we create lasting change. Lewiston’s story is one of resilience and renewal, and we are ready for the next chapter.”

AUBURN, ME –Diamond Point Development, LLC (DPD), in partnership with The Ardent Companies, have announced that on April 15, 2025 at 3:00 pm, they will hold a Community-Wide Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening Celebration at the new, state-of-the-art Extra Space Storage facility at 1 Center Street, in Auburn, Maine.

“In the short time the Auburn Extra Space property has been open, it has been very well received by both the residential and the business communities,” said Jason Sommer, Diamond Point Development Principal. “In appreciation of the city’s support of the project, we are proud to make a donation to the new ‘Auburn PAL Center.’”

Auburn Mayor Jeff Harmon will be in attendance at the Ribbon Cutting ceremony on April 15, as well as other distinguished members of the city staff.

Mayor Harmon said, “Thank you so much for this support of the Auburn PAL Center – it is so meaningful and will directly impact the kids and families of this community. We look forward to welcoming you to our wonderful city of Auburn.”

Liz Allen, the City of Auburn’s Director of Communications & Community Engagement said, “We look forward to being a community partner and to supporting positive growth in Aburn. We are happy to connect the Extra Space team with the greater Auburn community, on April 15 and beyond.”

Eric Cousens, the City of Auburn’s Executive Director of Public Services said, “It was great to work with Aaron and Jason from Extra Space Storage on a very challenging site. The Site was attractive due to the high traffic and that also made it a challenge. Aaron and Jason assembled additional real estate to make the access safe and made room for public access rights for a future riverfront trail while designing the site. We appreciate their collaboration and investment in Auburn.”

The Extra Space Storage is a new, state of the art 100,000 square foot multi-story, secure, climate-controlled facility. The self-storage property was built on a blighted property along the Androscoggin River.

This newly-constructed three-story self-storage facility includes approximately 75,000 rentable sq ft and 750 individual storage units. To make the storing experience more comfortable and to protect customer’s belongings from the elements, every unit is temperature and humidity controlled.

Diamond Point Development and The Ardent Companies build class A self-storage facilities up and down the East Coast.