LEWISTON, ME — Central Maine Healthcare, which includes Central Maine Medical Center (CMMC), Rumford Hospital, Bridgton Hospital and numerous practices, recognized its medical residents for the critical role they play in the healthcare system.

Feb. 28 was national “Thank a Resident Day,” a time to honor those team members who have graduated from medical school and are at Central Maine Healthcare to gain experience and specialize in a particular area of medicine.

These residents are committed to providing compassionate care to patients and their families while conducting important research and collaborating with doctors and nurses to strengthen patient care.

“I would like to publicly express my gratitude to our resident physicians,” said Bethany Picker, MD, medical director of Family Medicine Residency. “This diverse group of doctors honors our health system with their trust to give them the training and experiences they need to develop into competent family physicians. In the process, they provide exceptional, compassionate care to the most vulnerable of our patients, partner outside our system to improve the well-being of our community and remind us why we were drawn to healthcare ourselves.”

“Our dedicated family medicine residents have a huge impact at Central Maine Healthcare by creating a rich teaching environment,” said Rebecca Brakeley, MD, interim chief medical officer at Central Maine Healthcare. “Having residents critically think through each clinical decision ups everyone’s game and is beneficial for the patient and care team, alike.”

Central Maine Medical Center Family Medicine Residency (CMMC FMR) is a 7-7-7 ACGME certified program with an osteopathic recognition track and rural training. Founded in 1978, CMMC FMR has graduated more than 160 family physicians. The program prepares physicians to practice family medicine in communities with populations ranging from 500 to 500,000.

Pictured left to right: Michael Stadnicki, MD, medical division chief, Primary Care, Mark Steciuk, MD, chief of Pathology, Tasha Duval, DO, physician, OB GYN, Bethany Picker, MD, residency program director, Rebecca Brakeley, MD, interim chief medical officer, Tim Counihan, MD, chief of surgery and Oncology Institute

AUBURN, ME — Community Little Theater announces the second show of its 85 season, the musical “Nunsense”. “Nunsense” is a hilarious farce about a group of five nuns trying to raise money under some rather unfortunate circumstances. “Nunsense” is directed by Jackie McDonald and Assistant Director Sean Wallace, with music direction by Alex Castonguay and choreography by Danielle Eaton.

“Nunsense” is a zany musical about the Little Sisters of Hoboken, a group of nuns who find themselves in a rather unfortunate situation. When the majority of their convent dies of botulism, leaving only five of them alive, they are suddenly in need of funds to bury their deceased sisters. The money runs out with four sisters left in the freezer! In need of quick cash, they decide to put on a talent show to raise the needed money. The talent show is to take place in a high school gymnasium. The gym is also being used by the students as they prepare to stage the musical “Grease”. As the sisters prepare for their talent show, the audience is treated to some lively music, fun dancing and some wacky comedy. There is even some audience participation thrown in!

Director Jackie McDonald said she chose “Nunsense” because it’s a CLT fan favorite and, as such, has always been well received. It’s a fun, lighthearted show and we all could use some lighthearted fun right now! The large Catholic Community in the area will understand and appreciate the familiarity of the various references in the story, along with the not so subtle Catholic humor . McDonald stated that her own Catholic background, including family members who are nuns, made the show even more meaningful to her. She stated that nuns represent “the women of her childhood”.

The amazingly talented group of actors represent both familiar CLT faces as well as some newcomers to the theater world. They have been rehearsing since early December and their dedication shows. It’s a challenging time of year to do a show and the cast has had to overcome some obstacles such as snow storms and the usual winter illnesses. They have pulled together amazingly, despite the hurdles, and the audience can expect to be amazed!

The cast of Nunsense includes Michael Litchfield as Sister Mary Regina, the feisty Mother Superior, Kay Warren as the mistress of the novices Sister Mary Hubert, Nicole Frydrych as the tough, street-wise Sister Robert Ann, Jen Rennie as the spacey and entertaining Sister Mary amnesia, and Casey Waters as the ambitious, ballet-dancing Sister Mary Leo.

CLT will present “Nunsense” March 7th, 8th, 13th, 14th and 15th at 7:30 p.m, and March 9th and 16th at 2:00 p.m. Call 783-0958 or visit www.LACLT.com for tickets and information.

L/A Community Little Theatre, located at 30 Academy Street in Auburn, has been producing live theatre since 1940. A volunteer, non-profit organization, our goal is to provide affordable and quality entertainment in the performing arts as well as education, training, and experience in theatre for area youth. www.laclt.com.

The cast of Nunsense Back row – left to right – Kay Warren as Sr. Mary Hubert, Michael James Litchfield as Sr. Mary Regina, Mother Superior, Nicole Frydrych as Sr. Robert Ann

LEWISTON, ME — Central Maine Healthcare recently welcomed a new orthopedic surgeon.

Dennis Sullivan, MD, is the newest member of Central Maine Healthcare Orthopedics, specializing in knee and shoulder surgery at Bridgton Hospital and Rumford Hospital.

Dr. Sullivan says he chose this field because he could clearly see how orthopedic surgery directly improve patients’ lives.

“When it comes to my patients, I favor a conservative approach to injuries and arthritic conditions, whenever possible,” Dr. Sullivan said. “I also explain diagnoses in multiple ways, reviewing images and reports, and using anatomical models so my patients understand what’s happening.”

Dr. Sullivan earned his medical degree at the Hospital for Special Surgery, in New York, and completed his residency at the University of Toronto Orthopedic Sports Medicine. He has been a team physician for USA Hockey for 25 years, which included a tournament in the Czech Republic. He was also head team physician for the Portland Pirates from 1994-2008.

Central Maine Orthopedics has been named a Cigna Center of Excellence for hip and knee replacement. It has also been named a Blue Distinction Center by Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

LEWISTON, ME – United Ambulance Service recently received a perfect score in their reaccreditation review by the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS). The accreditation review, like the rigorous process used by hospitals and nursing facilities, is conducted every three years and includes an intensive application process and  multi-day on-site inspection by outside experts. Reviewers from across the nation visited the company’s Lewiston and Bridgton service areas evaluating 107 categories.

Since 1981, United Ambulance has been dedicated to providing the highest emergency medical care and transportation possible. United’s Lewiston division was first accredited in 2006 and their Bridgton division soon followed in 2007. Since then they have remained Maine’s first and only accredited ambulance service.

CAAS is a non-profit organization which was established to encourage and promote quality patient care in America’s medical transportation system. The primary focus of the Commission’s standards is high-quality patient care. This is accomplished by establishing national standards which not only address the delivery of patient care, but also the ambulance service’s total operation and its relationships with other agencies, the general public, and the medical community. In most instances the Commission’s standards exceed state and local licensing requirements.

Paul Gosselin, Executive Director of United Ambulance, commented on the achievement, saying, “The reviewers were thoroughly impressed with our service and with the resilience of our community over the past year. While CAAS accreditation is not required for operation, we pursue it because it represents the gold standard in EMS. This reaccreditation validates our continuous efforts and demonstrates our commitment to delivering exceptional emergency medical services to the residents of Androscoggin County.”

United Ambulance’s dedication to excellence in emergency medical services is reflected in its ongoing accreditation status. As a service leader in Maine, the company’s focus remains on providing high-quality care and maintaining strong community connections.

If you are interested in starting a career in EMS or would like more information about United Ambulance Service, visit them online at: www.unitedambulance.com.

AUGUSTA, ME — The Augusta Symphony Orchestra invites the community to experience an afternoon of timeless classical music at their Spring Concert. The performance will take place on Sunday, March 9, at 3:00 PM at Cony High School, 60 Pierce Dr, Augusta, ME.

The program promises to delight music lovers with an inspiring selection of works, starting with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1, and followed by Joseph Haydn’s Symphony No. 88. After a brief intermission, the ASO will perform Four Norwegian Dances by Edvard Grieg.

Founded in 1920 as a community orchestra, the Augusta Symphony Orchestra has a rich history of bringing exceptional classical music to the community. This concert continues that proud tradition, showcasing the orchestra’s talent and dedication to the arts.

The ASO is led by Conductor and Music Director Jinwook Park. Mr. Park is a member of the Colby College faculty and serves as the Music Director of the Colby Symphony Orchestra, as well as teaching violin and viola. With his passion and commitment to educational outreach, Mr. Park also served as a founder and Music Director of the Kennebec Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra, providing music and music education to the Central Maine community for many years. He has served as the music director of the Augusta Symphony Orchestra since 2021.

Admission is free, but donations are gratefully accepted to support the orchestra’s mission of making music accessible to all. Mark your calendar and join us for an unforgettable afternoon of music.

For more information about the Augusta Symphony Orchestra and upcoming events, visit www.augustasymphonymaine.org

TURNER, ME – The Signature Soup Food Booth at the Turner Ridge Riders Snowmobile Club’s 24th Annual Vintage One Lunger Race successfully launched Community Credit Union’s 2025 Signature Soup Challenge which raised over $1,000 at the food booth fundraiser. This exciting kick-off marks the beginning of a month-long initiative benefiting the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger.

The Signature Soup Challenge, which runs from February 15 through March 15, invites local businesses to join forces in the fight against hunger. Throughout the month, participating restaurants and retailers will donate a portion of proceeds from their soup, chili, and chowder sales to support the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger, a cause dedicated to alleviating food insecurity in Maine communities.

The participating businesses include:

Thatcher’s Restaurant & Pub

Bakery Barn

Bear Pond Variety

Daddy O’s Diner

Governor’s Restaurant & Bakery

Jimmy’s General Store

The Highland Grille

KP’s Place

Simones’ Hot Dogs

Webb’s Market

“We are thrilled with the success of this year’s kickoff event and appreciate the Turner Ridge Riders Snowmobile Club allowing us to be a food booth vendor at Saturday’s big event,” said Betsy Sibley, Co-Chair for the Ending Hunger Committee at Community Credit Union. “The $1,000 raised at the Vintage One Lunger Race is just the beginning, and we are excited to see how much more we can raise over the next month to support the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger. Together, we are raising awareness and making a real difference in the lives of those facing food insecurity in our community.”

The Signature Soup Challenge has become an annual tradition, uniting local businesses, volunteers, and community members to give back to those in need. By simply enjoying a delicious bowl of soup or chili, participants are directly contributing to the effort to end hunger across Maine.

“We encourage everyone to visit our participating partners throughout the challenge and enjoy some of the best soups and chili in the area,” added Erin Dunn-Kimball, Co-Chair of the Ending Hunger Committee at Community Credit Union. “It’s a tasty way to make an impact, and every bowl served helps provide critical resources to those who need it most.”

For more information about the Signature Soup Challenge, including a list of participating businesses and donation details, please visit https://www.communitycreditunion.com/connect/events-calendar/detail.html?cId=96209&title=5th-annual-signature-soup-challenge or follow the campaign on social media at https://www.facebook.com/share/14SWa9wVB1/.

Community Credit Union is a member-owned, full service financial institution that has been serving its members and all of Androscoggin County since 1945. The Credit Union has a low-income designation from NCUA as well as certified as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). Community Credit Union has branches located at 144 Pine Street, Lewiston, 40 Stanley Street, Auburn and 1025 Auburn Road in Turner serving approximately 12,000 members. For more information, log onto www.communitycreditunion.com.

Volunteers serving soup, chili & chowder at the One Lunger Vintage Snowmobile Race on February 15, 2025, Left to Right Erin Dunn-Kimball, Christine Wilson, Tiffany Mathon, Jessica Blackwell, Lilianna Mathon, Ruth Moubagou

AUBURN, ME — February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. To raise awareness and to promote healthy relationships, the Auburn Public Library is partnering with Safe Voices to present “Identifying Healthy Relationships,” a group activity where participants will learn about the dynamics of dating abuse and healthy relationships. For those interested, stop into the Teen Space on the second floor on February 20th from 2 PM to 3 PM. This program is open to teens ages 12-18 and does not require registration.

For teens looking for one-on-one support, drop-ins with a Safe Voices representative are available on the second floor of the library every second Wednesday of the month from 4 PM to 5 PM.

LEWISTON – AUBURN, ME — Connected Office Technologies (COT), an all-in-one business technology firm in Portland, Maine, is proud to announce that Senior Sales Executive Mack Whittier is expanding its client base within the Lewiston-Auburn area.

Whittier resides in Lewiston and looks forward to helping local businesses and non-profits save money on their printer and document management needs within his hometown.

“When you are depending on business technology to get what you need done, you shouldn’t have to worry about overage fees, copy restrictions, supply depletion, or receiving a bill that’s far more than anticipated. We make sure we understand each client’s personalized needs and deliver in a cost-effective manner,” said Whittier.

Connected Office Technologies offers printer programs for a flat monthly fee, including equipment, onsite assistance, remote monitoring, and printer maintenance services providing a full array of production printers, desktop printers, interactive displays, and toner/supplies. Electronic document management systems are also offered by Connected Office Technologies. Co-owners/founders Tom Mitchell and Kyle Romick lead the team at COT, and its clients currently include those from finance, government, healthcare, nonprofit, and education.

Whittier is a 2020 Southern Maine Community College graduate and enjoys providing one-on-one service to clients. He can be reached at (207) 740-8540 (direct line) and at mwhittier@connecttheoffice.com

 LEWISTON, ME – According to a recent study, urban greenspaces are critical components of healthy and sustainable cities. On Tue., Feb. 25, the City of Lewiston invites all to participate in the Sunnyside Park Spark Session to exchange ideas and improvements to the decades’ old park.

 “A true gem in Back Bay Lewiston, Sunnyside Park is a precious and valued resource for our entire community, and especially for the Sunnyside neighborhood,” said Lewiston City Councilor Josh Nagine, Ward 1. “I’m looking forward to friends and neighbors engaging to inform a citizen-driven action plan for improvements and updates at Sunnyside Park and strongly encourage residents with any interest to participate in the process.”

 Nestled in a wooded area along the Androscoggin River, Sunnyside Park lies at the end of Whipple Street, off Main Street. The park currently features two basketball courts, a swing set and multipurpose field.

 All are invited to share their ideas, from bringing back an ice rink, or improving the Riverwalk along the Androscoggin, at the Sunnyside Spark Session. Those unable to attend may email their comments to hello@lewistonmaine.gov.

Sunnyside Park Spark Session

6 PM – 7:30 PM on Tue., Feb. 25, 2025

Lewiston Public Works, 103 Adams St.

Anyone with ideas to bring the park back to life – bring a friend and let’s get brainstorming.

LEWISTON, ME – Central Maine Medical Center (CMMC) this month became the first hospital in Maine to complete a dual chamber leadless (wireless) pacemaker implant.

The electrophysiology team at Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute (CMHVI) successfully performed several implants, using the AVEIR ™ dual chamber pacemaker, an implantable device that stimulates the heart’s two main chambers.

While traditional dual chamber pacemakers include wires that risk breaking and may cause infection, the Aveir pacemaker is wireless and therefore has a lower risk of infection.

The new pacemaker was approved by the FDA in 2023 and is ideal for patients who have abnormally slow heart rhythms and require pacing in both chambers of the heart.

“We have had single chamber leadless pacemakers for many years,” said Joseph Dell’Orfano, MD, electrophysiologist at CMMC. “However, when patients experience slow heart rates, they often require pacing in both the top and bottom chambers of their heart. Now we can do this without the need for surgically implanted wires or battery packs. This represents the future of pacemakers. I’m proud that we could bring this technology to our patients in Maine.”

This isn’t the first time in recent history CMHVI has led the way in Maine. Last spring, CMMC became the first hospital to successfully treat atrial fibrillation using Pulsed Field Ablation, a non-thermal device designed to minimize potential damage to the heart.

CMHVI offers advanced treatments for all arrhythmias including atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia. Last year, its vascular lab earned a three-year accreditation in peripheral arterial, peripheral venous and extracranial cerebrovascular testing from the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission. CMHVI has also started a dedicated hypertension and lipid clinic and a new preventive cardiology program. Additionally, the vascular surgery team recently performed its 50th TCAR, the latest in minimally invasive procedures to treat carotid disease.

CMHVI’s electrophysiology team poses with Aveir equipment