AUBURN, ME – Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine recently welcomed five new board members to its Board of Directors, as well as appointed a new executive committee.

 New Executive Committee Members Include:

Chair: Scott Maker, WoodworthMaker, LLC

Vice Chair: Kate Rush, Androscoggin Bank

Treasurer: Peter Richardson

Secretary: Mary Wright

New Board Members Include:

Phil Licari, Entrepreneur-In-Residence at the Roux Institute, a Portland, Maine, based institute of Northeastern University.

Whitney Gould-Cookson, MS, RD, LD, Clinical Dietitian at Northern Light Mayo Hospital in Dover-Foxcroft, Maine.

Chris Bonacci, Vice President, Marketing at Ethos | VONT in Westbrook, Maine.

Susan Norton, Executive Vice President/Chief Administrative Officer at First National Bank in Damariscotta, Maine.

Christine Cummings, Executive Director of the Maine Grocers & Food Producers Association in Augusta, Maine. 

The new members join the existing group of directors, including:

Odette Perriel, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital

Frank Pecoraro, Coastal Pacific Food Distributors

Dora Anne Mills, MD, MaineHealth

Mary Wright

Andrea Sockabasin, Wabanaki Public Health

Victoria W. Rogers, MD

Marwa Hassanien, Northern Light Health

Jason Fournier, BerryDunn

Peter Forester, Hannaford Supermarkets

Michelle Draeger, Maine Justice Foundation

Tae Chong, Maine State Chamber of Commerce

John Bennett

Peter Richardson

Kate Rush, Androscoggin Bank

Scott Maker, WoodworthMaker, LLC

For additional information on Good Shepherd Food Bank’s board of directors, visit www.FeedingMaine.org.

LEWISTON, ME – The City of Lewiston is seeking resident volunteers to serve as members of the City’s various boards and committees. The following city boards and committees have current openings: Board of Appeals full member, Androscoggin County Budget Committee – District 2, Planning Board associate member, and Lewiston Senior Advisory Council representatives from Wards 1, 2, 4, 5, and city wide.

The Board of Appeals is charged with hearing citizen appeals regarding orders, rules or failures of certain municipal entities to act relating to the zoning and land use code, building code, property maintenance, fire prevention codes, etc. The board has limited authority in granting conditional use permits and variances of zoning setbacks and related requirements.

The County Budget Committee will review the proposed budget, meet with each department and make recommendations to the Commissioners. The committee meets September through November. Residents can look up their county district on the election page of the City of Lewiston’s website.

The Lewiston Seniors Advisory Council serves as an advisory council to the City Council in regard to community issues affecting seniors and shall serve as a liaison between the seniors of the community and the city. The committee shall enable seniors to send and receive recommendations from the City Council for consideration, to work toward goals that empower all of the community’s senior population, and to undertake service projects that enhance the community.

The Planning Board performs duties prescribed by ordinance and state statute regarding subdivision review, major development review, and amendments to the land use code. It directs the preparation and maintenance of the official city zoning map and the city’s comprehensive plan. The board reviews the annual capital improvement program and the acquisition and disposition of all public ways, land, buildings and other municipal facilities not acquired through tax-lien foreclosure. It hears and decides applications for conditional use permits, where the development is a major development as defined by City Code.

Lewiston residents interested in applying can contact the City Clerk’s Department to complete a committee volunteer application. Application forms are also available on the Boards and Committees page of the City’s website at www.lewistonmaine.gov. Committee descriptions, meeting times and other information about committee service are also available on the City’s website. Applications can be submitted at any time and will be accepted until the positions are filled however the requested filing deadline is 4 PM on Wed., Aug. 28.                                                                                                                                                                                                

Residents are welcome to contact the City Clerk’s Department at 207-513-3124 with any questions. Completed applications shall be submitted to the City Clerk’s Office for processing. Office hours are Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM to 4 PM.

LEWISTON, ME — On July 19, family, friends, parishioners, and Maine military members convened at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Lewiston to honor the memory of Pvt. John Yianitsas, who was killed in action in Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge in January 1945.

Pvt. Yianitsas, originally from Massachusetts, was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart for paying the ultimate sacrifice while assigned to the 327th Infantry Regiment of the famed 101st Airborne Division “Screaming Eagles.” The Purple Heart, the United States Armed Forces’ oldest decoration, is awarded to those wounded or killed in action while serving their country.

Yianitsas’ body was sadly never recovered after the battle, but a headstone stands in his honor at the Henri-Chappelle American Cemetery in Plobmbières, Belgium. At the time of his passing, Yianitsas’ family struggled with grief and never held a formal funeral or ceremony to celebrate his life.

William Kell, of Lewiston, is Pvt. Yianitsas’ uncle and next remaining kin. In July 2023, Kell’s daughter, Dr. Tina Kell, reached out to Melissa Landry, a constituent services representative for Senator Susan Collins, to assist in acquiring service records and medals for Pvt. Yianitsas. Landry worked with the National Personnel Records Center to validate Yianitsas’ records and confirmed that Yianitsas should be awarded the Purple Heart and the World War II Victory Medal.

Landry then reached out to the Maine Army National Guard to help give the Kells a ceremony deserving of their uncle’s sacrifice. The Guard performed military funeral honors and presented the Kell family with a United States flag that, through Senator Collins’ office, was flown over the US Capitol in Yianitsas’ honor.

Brigadier General Diane Dunn, The Adjutant General of the Maine National Guard, and Command Sergeant Major Alexander Clifford presented the Kell family with Pvt. Yianitsas’ Purple Heart, World War Two Victory Medal, and the Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII.

“We are extraordinarily honored to be a part of recognizing Pvt. Yianitsas’ sacrifice for our country,” said Dunn. “He paid the highest price a nation can ask, and we are proud to finally give his family the closure and recognition they deserve.”

Senator Collins also offered her gratitude through a personal letter written to the Kell family.

“Awarding Pvt. John Yianitsas with the Purple Heart and World War II Victory Medal is a long-overdue acknowledgment of his bravery and valor, and it has been an honor to assist the Kell family with this tribute,” said Senator Collins. “While we can never fully repay the debt we owe John and his fellow service members, we can preserve their legacies by ensuring that their achievements and sacrifices are never forgotten.”

Pvt. John Yianitsas

LEWISTON, ME — SeniorsPlus is accepting applications for the Meals on Wheels program serving older adults and individuals with disabilities in Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford Counties.

Meals on Wheels at SeniorsPlus has the capacity to serve more individuals in its tri-county service area. Meals on Wheels is a need-based rather than a financially-based program. Individuals are encouraged to contact SeniorsPlus to find out if they are eligible.

The provision of nutritious meals can keep people living independently at home, avoiding costly long-term care facilities. Every visit provides a meal that offers one-third of the recommended daily nutritional intake and can be tailored to specific health conditions. The program also serves as a safety check and social interaction. Meals on Wheels is more than just a meal; It’s a lifeline for independence and well-being.

“We are honored to deliver nutritious meals to the homes of aging adults and individuals with disabilities,” said Janis Walker, Nutrition Services Director. “Our program addresses nutrition, provides essential human connections, and enriches the lives of all clients, their families, and the entire community.”

To learn more, to refer an older adult or an individual with disabilities who could benefit from Meals on Wheels, or to volunteer, visit seniorsplus.org or call 207-795-4010.

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 and information and assistance) that support independent living, healthy aging, and fight isolation. The overall program goal of SeniorsPlus is to assist older people and adults with disabilities in its tri-county area to remain safely at home for as long as possible. 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. 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 social dining.

AUBURN, ME — The L/A Community Little Theatre’s production of The Prom opens Friday, August 9 at 7:30 p.m. Winner of the Drama Desk Award for Best Musical, The Prom expertly captures all the humor and heart of a classic musical comedy with a message that resonates with audiences now more than ever.

“This show has a great mix of music, from big splashy dance numbers to power ballads that may make folks choke up,” says director Jennifer Groover. Audiences can expect to see a lighthearted story full of humor. It’s the kind of show where Broadway takes a poke at itself, and theater lovers will enjoy watching some larger-than-life characters and their funny antics,” Groover adds.

The story centers around four eccentric Broadway stars who are in desperate need of a new stage. When they hear that trouble is brewing around a small-town prom, they know that it’s time to put a spotlight on an important issue. The town’s parents want to keep the high school dance on the straight and narrow—but when one student just wants to bring her girlfriend to prom, the entire town has a date with destiny. On a mission to transform lives, Broadway’s brassiest join forces with a courageous girl and the town’s citizens and the result is love that brings them all together.

Groover and her crew have been hard at work for weeks with their large cast of 35 actors. “Working with this talented and experienced cast has been a joy! I am excited for audiences to hear the blending of voices. When the large ensemble sings together, it’s powerful,” notes Groover. Assisting the director are crew members Myranda Michaud, assistant director; Paul G. Caron, music director; Adelyn Bell, choreographer; Brian Pfohl, stage manager; and Sophia Wood, producer.

“This show is one way our theatre can help destigmatize and support everyone because this show is about inclusion, acceptance, and belonging. It is also filled with laughter, song, and dance, so it will leave the audience feeling uplifted and hopeful,” adds Groover.

The Prom will be performed at 7:30 p.m. on August 9, 10, 15, 16, and at 2:00 p.m. on August 11, 17, and 18.  All performances will be held at CLT on 30 Academy Street in Auburn. Tickets are now available online at www.laclt.com/box-office or by calling 783-0958. Ticket prices (including all fees) are $25.00 for adults, $22.00 for seniors and students, and $17.00 for children ages 13 and under.

Cast members Isana Bell, Tessa Hayashida, Maddy Vaillancourt, Maddi DuBois, and Julie Sanborn enjoy a laugh during a rehearsal for the upcoming production of The Prom, which opens this weekend at Community Little Theatre.

 LEWISTON, ME – The Lewiston Auburn Balloon Festival Presented by Emerson Toyota proudly announces a stellar musical lineup featuring performances on the Main Stage sponsored by Platz Associates at Simard-Payne Park sponsored by Platz Associates at Simard-Payne Park, 83 Beech Street. The festival showcases a variety of artists, ensuring a memorable good time for all! Mark your calendar for American Idol alum Julia Gagnon and Motor Booty Affair to perform at this year’s festival.

Friday, August 16

4:30 PM – Rumor Has It : are all about having fun, engaging the crowd and playing music that everyone enjoys.  They play a wide variety of music traversing decades and multiple genres!

6:45 PM – Girls of L/A: bring together the talented voices of Bette Sanborne, Bonnie Edwards, Debbie Morin, Jeannie Martin, Kathy Haley, and Laurie Sidelinger. These local legends will perform an array of covers guaranteed to get everyone dancing.

8 PM – Taylor Hughes: a New Hampshire homegrown country singer. He started singing when he was very young.  His musical drive is to bring storytelling and traditional country music.  He’s performed all around New England and has sold out performances at the Bank of New Hampshire stage.

Saturday, August 17

4:30 PM – Bazinga: They will energize the crowd with a dynamic mix of 90s hits to now hits, from alt-rock anthems to smooth R&B grooves contemporary favorites.  Get ready to enjoy the sounds and put your dancing shoes on!

6:30 PM – Denny Breau: legendary guitarist and singer/songwriter Denny Breau will mesmerize the audience with his flawless rhythm and stunning six-string guitar work, blending folk, Delta blues, country, and jazz effortlessly.

7:30 PM Motor Booty Affair: Wrapping up Saturday night, Motor Booty Affair will host the ultimate disco party, playing infectious, danceable hits from Earth Wind & Fire, The Bee-Gees, KC and the Sunshine Band, and more.

Sunday, August 18

11:00 AM – Camp of Rock: Start your Sunday with the youthful energy of Camp of Rock. These talented summer camp students will perform rock classics from Heart, The Kings, The Black Crowes, and Led Zeppelin.

12:30 PM – Crosshair: a young four-piece high energy 90’s alternative, hard rock and metal. The band has played several successful shows and was recently featured in the Summer Edition of L/A Metro Magazine.

2:00 PM – Julia Gagnon: When a singer causes all three American Idol judges to give you a standing ovation, you know you have to come hear Maine’s Julia Gagnon. Gagnon will take the stage at the festival and we hope to hear her powerful rendition of Whitney Houston’s “I Run To You,” Her performance is a must-see highlight of the festival.

4:30 PM – Jody Boys: a fun party band who cover great hits from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s with a few surprises from all over. If you’re looking to enjoy some good diverse music this band likes to rock!

The Lewiston Auburn Balloon Festival promises a weekend of outstanding live music, family fun, and vibrant community spirit set under the backdrop of fantastic hot air balloons! Don’t miss out on this free event featuring remarkable local talents and renowned performers. Mark your calendars and join us at Simard-Payne Park for a festival experience like no other! The concerts are free.

For more information about all events and activities at the L/A Balloon Festival, visit www.laballoonfest.org.

LEWISTON, ME — LA Arts is pleased to present its next gallery exhibit featuring the work of Lewiston artist Robert J. Russell. The show, entitled “Eclectic Thoughts,” runs from July 26 – September 7, 2024. An opening reception for the artist will be held on Friday, July 26 from 5:00pm – 8:00pm at LA Arts, 168 Lisbon Street, Lewiston, ME as part of the organization’s July Art Walk.

About the Work

“Eclectic Thoughts” showcases Russell’s original drawings, paintings, and collages and offers a glimpse into the mind of a creative visionary artist. His work, mostly rendered with Sharpie pens, includes many themes, from mandalas and “tower-temples” to mazes and geometric designs. Intricate and complicated, Russell uses bold abstract shapes and repetitive patterns to create mesmerizing pieces that demand the viewers’ time and attention.

About the Artist

A longtime Lewiston resident, Robert Russell has been creating art since he was a young child growing up in Lisbon Falls, ME. After graduating from high school in the late sixties, he pursued his interest in art by attending the Portland School of Fine and Applied Art (which is now the Maine College of Art & Design), Bates College in Lewiston, Bowdoin College in Brunswick, and the Arts Students League in New York City.

Russell is a quiet and introspective person who finds inspiration from many sources, but mainly from the pictures he sees in his head. He is also an extremely prolific artist, with a staggering personal collection of over 5000 signed and dated original pieces. Books, magazines, movies, and pop culture have fueled his work from the beginning and these elements continue to influence his art today. Russell observes the everyday world around him with an artist’s eye; even a contemplative walk examining the imperfect sidewalks in his Downtown Lewiston neighborhood can provide a flood of creative ideas.

At 73 years old, Russell has mastered his creative process as a way of being, starting and ending each day with a sketchbook in hand, ready to translate his ideas into bold and beautiful images.

Robert Russell, photo taken by Sheri Hollenbeck

AUBURN, ME — Cast members of the Community Little Theatre’s upcoming production of The Prom are pictured here at a recent rehearsal. From left are Anthony M. Delorme, Gregory Judd, Jordan Clatchey, Connor Davis, Brock Rancourt, and Tessa Hayashida. An award-winning musical, the show follows four Broadway performers who are in search of a new stage. When they hear that trouble is brewing around a small-town prom, they know that it’s time to put a spotlight on the issue. The town’s parents want to keep the high school dance on the straight and narrow—but when one student just wants to bring her girlfriend to prom, the entire town has a date with destiny!

The Prom will be performed at 7:30 p.m. on August 9, 10, 15, 16, and at 2:00 p.m. on August 11, 17, and 18.  All performances will be held at the CLT on 30 Academy Street in Auburn. Tickets are now available online at www.laclt.com/box-office or by calling 783-0958. Ticket prices (including all fees) are $25.00 for adults, $22.00 for seniors and students, and $17.00 for children ages 13 and under. (Photo by Sophia Wood).

 LEWISTON, ME — Central Maine Healthcare (CMH), which includes Central Maine Medical Center (CMMC), Rumford Hospital, Bridgton Hospital and medical practices throughout central Maine, has been designated a Recovery Friendly Workplace (RFW) by the state of Maine.

The Recovery Friendly Workplace program strives to prevent substance use disorder by providing support for workers who are struggling with addiction and facilitating opportunities for people in recovery to reenter or enter the workplace.

 CMH’s designation as a Recover Friendly Workplace was made official at Governor Janet Mills’ Opioid Response Summit and Seminars which was held at Central Maine Community College on July 25.

 “People who have experienced addiction and have moved into a recovery process often have gained valuable life experience and developed certain disciplines, skills and compassion, said Rick Redmond, director of Behavioral Health, Central Maine Healthcare. “Promoting a Recovery Friendly Workplace means creating an environment where people in recovery can continue to flourish while they add strength to our teams and provide an empathetic approach with our patients.”

 Providing a safe, supportive environment for team members is part of Central Maine Healthcare’s values and service standards.

 The Maine Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiative is a combined effort among the governor’s office, business leaders, local government and recovery community organizations (RCOs).

AUBURN, ME – On Tuesday, August 6, the Auburn Police Department will take over Festival Plaza and Main Street for the city’s 20th annual National Night Out against crime. The event – which begins at 5:30pm and goes until dusk – will be an evening of family fun, live music, and tasty food for all Auburn residents to enjoy.

This is the 20th year that Auburn PD has hosted National Night Out, a FREE, anti-crime, public safety event. Police department staff and community partners will serve up hotdogs, beverages, popcorn, and plenty of family-friendly activities! There will be police, fire, and public works equipment on display, and many local community partners and non-profits will be on hand. There will be plenty of games and activities for kids, including an inflatable obstacle course, bounce house, face painting, balloons from the folks at Hammond Lumber, free iced coffee provided by Starbucks of Auburn (Starbucks is a national sponsor of NNO), and more.

Attendees will have the opportunity to meet Auburn PD K-9 “Brick,” connect with comfort dogs from Mission Working Dogs, and shoot hoops with local basketball legend (and international professional basketball star) Troy Barnies. The APD will also set up an impaired driving obstacle course to help encourage motorists to drive sober. There will be live music from local blues band, “Continental Shakedown.”

“For 20 years, National Night Out has been a chance for our team to show our strong commitment to community partnerships,” said Police Chief Jason Moen. “My officers and I really love this opportunity to connect with residents and share a fun evening together, all in the name of public safety.”

“We really enjoy getting everyone together each year to show the unbreakable police-community partnership we have here in Auburn,” said Deputy Chief Timothy Cougle. “When we connect like this, our city is stronger and safer. Having the support of our community partners makes this the best block party of the year.”

National Night Out, America’s annual “night out against crime,” is a unique crime/drug prevention event presented by the National Association of Town Watch. NNO is a national community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships. Each year, millions of neighbors take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities from all fifty states, U.S. territories and military bases worldwide on the first Tuesday in August.