OCEAN PARK, ME – Maine Authors for Lewiston, an informal group of more than 60 Maine authors, have banded together to support the victims of the recent tragedy in Lewiston. The group has organized a series of book signings, all open to the public, so that people can purchase books and meet the authors. There will be fiction writers, children’s book authors, non-fiction writers, and poets among the participants. This is a wonderful opportunity for Maine book-lovers to support local authors, but, most importantly, to help our fellow Mainers as they begin to heal and recover.

All of the participating authors have agreed to donate all, or most, of their proceeds from these events to help the healing and recovery efforts in Lewiston. All are volunteering because they care.

The authors are scheduled to appear at the following venues in the coming days:

Curtis Memorial Library (Brunswick, ME) – Saturday, November 25, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Lewis T. Graves Memorial Public Library (Kennebunkport, ME) – Tuesday, November 28, 2023, 2:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Belfast Public Library (Belfast, ME) – Saturday, December 2, 2023, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Patten Free Library (Bath, ME) – Wednesday, December 6, 2023, 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

More events are being scheduled. The libraries have generously donated space to the cause as they, too, support those impacted by the senseless tragedy.

The Maine writing community is a small, but vibrant, part of Maine culture. Some writers have been personally impacted by the events in Lewiston, others because they care deeply about Maine and their fellow Mainers. Most do much of their writing in and about Maine. All want to help.

Maine Authors for Lewiston was conceived less than one week ago and is being organized by David Florig, a member of the Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance, author of The Stones of Ailsa Craig, and the past-president of the Pine Tree Curling Club in Portland.

LEWISTON, ME — SeniorsPlus, the designated Area Agency on Aging serving Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford counties, has immediate openings for volunteer Meals on Wheels delivery drivers in Oxford and Franklin counties. Meals on Wheels volunteers make a difference in the lives of homebound older adults and adults with disabilities, often making the difference for individuals to remain at home safely. 

Meals are delivered Monday through Thursday and various routes. Volunteers are especially needed at this time for deliveries in Canton, Dixfield, Bethel, Phillips, Madrid, and Farmington. Times vary, but generally, drivers are needed between the hours of 9:00 to 11:30 am.  Volunteers may work one or more times a week. They can also work as needed for back up support.

 Working in a team environment, Meals on Wheels volunteer drivers deliver nutritious meals to client homes and combat social isolation through client wellness checks and friendly visits. Volunteer drivers are trained to provide the best possible service. For more information please contact volunteerservices@seniorsplus.org or call SeniorsPlus at 207 753-6148.

LEWISTON, ME – Community Concepts, Inc., in partnership with the State of Maine, City of Lewiston, and community partners, will open the Maine Resiliency Center (previously announced by the City of Lewiston as the Community Resiliency Center) on Monday, November 13th at noon. The Center is located at 184 Main Street in Lewiston, with direct access via the catwalk on the third floor of the parking garage behind the building at 26 Chapel Street. 

The Maine Resiliency Center has been created to offer a place of healing and support to individuals and families impacted by the mass shooting in Lewiston on October 25th and the aftermath of the tragedy. The Center will be dedicated to serving as a resource hub for anyone impacted by the shooting at Just-in-Time Recreation and Schemengees Bar and Grille. This includes anyone present at the shootings, family, friends, and loved ones, first responders and medical personnel, and any member of the larger community who feels impacted by these events. 

The Center will initially be open weekdays with walk-in hours from 12-5pm. Additional planned activities, programming, and private appointments will also be offered outside of walk-in hours. The Center can be reached by phone at 207-515-3930 starting at 12pm on Monday, November 13th. A website for the Center is currently being developed. 

The Maine Resiliency Center is staffed by knowledgeable and caring professionals to focus on the longer-term needs of community members in the aftermath of this tragedy. The Center will offer access to service navigation, case management, and behavioral health support among other services based on identified needs. 

The Center will be managed by Community Concepts, Inc., the Community Action Agency serving Androscoggin County. Services for victims’ families had previously been coordinated at the Family Assistance Center (FAC) located at the Lewiston Armory. The FAC closed on Thursday, November 2nd, and ongoing supports will now be available at the Maine Resiliency Center.

 To protect the confidentiality of visitors, media are not allowed to visit the Center without invitation or making arrangements with Center management in advance. 

If individuals are in need of immediate support, The Maine Crisis Line can be reached by dialing 988 or 1-888-568-1112. Free and confidential support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Text and chat lines are also available.

LEWISTON, ME – The City of Lewiston Mayoral Runoff Election will be held on Tue., Dec. 12, and absentee ballots for this election are currently available for Lewiston residents who would like to vote early. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Thu., Dec. 7.

Registered voters needing an absentee ballot may call the City Clerk’s Office at (207) 513-3124; may mail in an application form which can be downloaded from the City’s website; or can come into Lewiston City Hall, 27 Pine Street. Office hours are Mon. – Fri., 8:30 AM – 4 PM. 

The Runoff Election is between Jonathan Connor and Carl Sheline – the candidates who placed in the top two positions during the Nov. 7 election. According to the City Charter, the Mayor must be elected by a majority vote. Since neither candidate received a majority during the Nov. 7 election, the Runoff Election has been scheduled.

“Absentee voting is increasingly popular with each election,” said Lewiston City Clerk Kathy Montejo. “Voters are interested in absentee voting because they can avoid the crowds at the polls and voters simply enjoy the convenience of voting by mail or voting early, and due to a December election, many voters will want to avoid going out in bad weather if it is snowy or cold on election day.”

The City’s web site, www.lewistonmaine.gov/elections, contains a sample ballot, absentee ballot application form, and other information that voters may find useful.

Voters are encouraged to contact the City Clerk’s Office at (207) 513-3124 with any questions they may have regarding the election process.             

LEWISTON, ME—The Franco Center will host an Elvis tribute concert featuring Robert Washington at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17. Facebook fans of World Champion Elvis Impersonator, Robert Washington, who is sometimes known as The Black Elvis, say that Washington is “the best Elvis Impersonator on the planet.”  

Washington is the first black man to win the “Elvis Impersonator World Championship” title, and he did it in the heart of the South: Memphis, Tennessee. Winning that title was a historic event for Washington and other black Elvis impersonators. The championship was won in Elvis’s hometown, “where a black man with a voice like a 747 engine beat out 100 other white contenders, some who had $30,000 worth of plastic surgery to look like Elvis,” according to his fan page.  But not Washington; he is the real deal. He will also perform a few James Brown tunes. 

Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door day of show.  

Tickets can be purchased through the Franco Center’s box office in person from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays or call 207-689-2000. Ticket purchases can also be made online at www.francocenter.org/shows.  

Doors and cash bar open at 6 p.m. Concert is at 7 p.m. The Franco Center is at 46 Cedar Street, Lewiston. Parking is in the mill lot across the street. Handicap access is on the Lincoln Street Alley side of the building. 

Fans have posted videos of Robert Washington performing as both Elvis and James Brown, such as this one https://youtu.be/cMdAuRMd65Q by Stéphan Beauregard. 

“We are grateful for our concert sponsors. Our Season Underwriter is Maple Way Dental Care; Media Sponsors are Sun Journal, Turner Publishing, Uncle Andy’s, Bennett Radio Group,” said Jake Hodgkin, production manager. “The show sponsor is Platz Associates.” 

The Franco Center will host an Elvis tribute concert featuring well-known local entertainer Robert Washington at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17. Tickets can be purchased online at www.francocenter.org/shows or 207-689-2000. Submitted photo. 

AUBURN, ME — As the dust settles after the most heinous crime spree in Maine history, allegations have arisen about the cooperation of agencies responding to the incident. It is disappointing to hear this as we mourn for the victims and their families. In the weeks to come, there will be after-action reviews done to see how our agencies responded and take lessons learned from the incident and apply them to improve our tactics and strategies in the hope we never have to respond to an incident like this again.

In any incident of this magnitude, the initial response is going to be chaotic, especially with multiple scenes involved. Once an incident command system is established and logistics become manageable, everything becomes more organized.

In this incident, the suspect was identified within the first hour of the incident and suspect and vehicle information was broadcast out on a state-wide level rapidly thereafter. Once the incident shifted to the manhunt phase, a large command post was set up. Auburn Police Command Staff were present within the command post several times a day receiving briefings from the Maine State Police on the status of the investigation and the manhunt. This information was then passed onto our staff for their situational awareness.

At no time did the Maine State Police withhold information from us at any point. At times there was simply no update to give because there was no new information that had been generated.

The Auburn Police Department enjoys a good healthy cooperative relationship with the Maine State Police and will continue to do so.

LEWISTON, ME — My Witch: The Margaret Hamilton Stories, playing Nov 10, 11 and 12 at The Public Theatre, is the amazing tale of the brains, heart and courage it took for a gentle kindergarten teacher from Cleveland, Ohio to become The Wicked Witch of The West as well as one of the most famous character actresses of her time.

If there is one movie we all share, it’s The Wizard of Oz, and this delightful show takes a loving look at the woman behind the cackle and green makeup. Set in the cottage where she lived on a small island in Maine, playwright John Ahlin’s script offers the audience entertaining anecdotes of Margaret Hamilton’s life along with insightful tidbits about Hollywood and the making of The Wizard of Oz.

Actress Jean Tafler casts a spell on the audience with her mesmerizing portrayal of Margaret Hamilton, whose Wicked Witch of the West scared the living daylights out of every one of us.

Unknown to many, Margaret Hamilton appeared in hundreds of movies, plays and musicals, enjoying a long and rich acting career spanning six decades on stage and screen. My Witch, The Margaret Hamilton Stories is a fascinating show, especially for fans of classic Hollywood movies.

My Witch, The Margaret Hamilton Stories will be performed at The Public Theatre on Friday, Nov 10 at 7pm, Sat Nov 11 at 3pm, and Sun Nov 12 at 2pm. Tickets are $30. For tickets call 782-3200 or visit thepublictheatre.org.  Location: 31 Maple St, Lewiston. Sponsored by Lee Auto Malls and LA Metro Magazine. Season Underwriters: Sun Journal, Platz Associates, and Bennett Radio Group.

 Jean Tafler as Margaret Hamilton

LEWISTON, ME – The City of Lewiston, in partnership with the State of Maine and community partners, will open the Community Resiliency Center (CRC) at 184 Main Street beginning Mon., Nov. 13. The Red Cross, other local and state partners, and the FBI Victim Services Division have coordinated services for victims’ families at the Family Assistance Center (FAC) located at the Lewiston Armory.

The FAC will close on Thu., Nov. 2, at 5 PM and transition to the CRC. Access to services in Lewiston will continue during this transition.

The CRC will be launched under the management of the Lewiston-based non-profit Community Concepts. The CRC will provide supportive services for victims, survivors, first responders, and families impacted by the mass violence. The CRC will be in downtown Lewiston and is in the process of being established to welcome individuals in need. In the interim, every identified victim has been connected to a victim advocate who will continue to provide support services and resources to them and their families.

More information on the hours of operation of the CRC and the services provided will be released in advance of the opening on November 13. If individuals are in need of immediate support, the following resources are available:

Sweetser will have walk-in capacity for those seeking services and support, located at 217 Main Street, Lewiston, Monday – Friday, 8:00 – 5:00.

Call or text 988: This suicide and behavioral health crisis hotline is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week by trained crisis specialists offering free, confidential support for anyone. Specialists also can respond by chat at 988lifeline.org. Information for the deaf and hard of hearing is available at the city’s website, and the Maine Association for the Deaf has information on counseling and other support.

Veterans and their loved ones can dial 988 then press 1, text 838255, or chat at www.veteranscrisisline.net.

Teens and young adults can text (207) 515-8398: The National Alliance on Mental Illness Teen Text Line connects youth with other youth to help them manage their challenges every day from noon to 10 PM.

If you’re unsure, contact 211. It provides general information, including how to access behavioral health and social service resources, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Information can also be found at 211maine.org.

Clinicians, educators and first responders can call 1-800-769-9819: The FrontLine WarmLine offers free support services to help these professionals manage the stress of responding to disasters from 8 AM to 8 PM, seven days a week.

All of these resources provide free, confidential support.

LEWISTON, ME — The Maine Music Society is happy to announce that it will once again host this ever-popular a cappella experience on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at 7:00 pm at the Franco Center, 46 Cedar Street, Lewiston.

With MMS’s own Artistic Director, Dr. Richard Nickerson, as emcee, this always sold-out event will feature spectacular groups raising their voices in exuberant renditions of jazz, barbershop, rock’n’roll, spiritual and renaissance vocal music.

The Maine Music Society Chamber Singers, a division of the MMS Chorale, was formed in 2013 and serves as an outreach organization that shares its passion for singing with the greater Lewiston-Auburn community. The group has performed at various public events including the Lewiston Tree Lighting ceremony and Governor Mills inaugural celebration, and as part of several local concert series. Their repertoire includes early motets, folk songs, modern art and pop songs.

The Royal River Chorus (RRC) is an acclaimed a cappella chorus whose members live in southern and mid-coast Maine. They are part of a vibrant and diverse global community of Sweet Adelines International (SAI) singers that embraces musical excellence while fostering a worldwide and inclusive culture of belonging.

Folks of all ages enjoy hearing everything from familiar “golden oldies,” to challenging contemporary music. When not competing, RRC entertains as often as they can in surrounding towns at festivals and fairs, concert series, community gatherings, nonprofit events and more.

In particular, they are an annual favorite at the Yarmouth Clam Festival.

New to Battle, Acapetal is the mixed a cappella group at Brunswick High School which was founded by current senior, Sam Caswell, in the fall of 2021. This multi-grade group of singers is student run by co-directors Sam Caswell (senior) and Coco Mangalam (sophomore). They meet bright and early every Friday morning to make cool music and are thrilled to share that music with the world! You won’t want to miss their energetic musical renditions.

The Bates College Deansmen is Bates’ oldest all male and non-binary identifying a cappella group. They perform songs of many different genres from old school crooning to modern hits, and are about to release new recordings of some classic Deansmen songs to their spotify. They hope you enjoy their set!

What a line-up! Make plans to attend this enthusiastic roof-raising celebration of music and purchase your tickets early. You don’t want to miss this incredible concert.

Tickets are now available. This concert is a major fundraiser for MMS so your support is greatly appreciated!

Visit www.mainemusicsociety.org or call our business office at 207-333-3386.

The Maine Music Society thanks our Season Sponsor Hardy, Wolf & Downing, the Event Sponsor Maple Way Dental Care and Co-Sponsors Austin Associates and Schooner Estates for making this concert possible.

MMS Chamber Singers

AUBURN, ME — L/A Senior College and the Auburn Public Library are delighted to welcome Lin Wright to speak about these treasures on November 14. Lin has lived in the area for over 20 years and has worked at USM where she also received her MA in American and New England Studies. She is retired now but has taught many classes in genealogy at LASC.

As Lin says: “Most of my attraction to architecture is aesthetic and as a window into the broader context of people and place over time. I connect the object of a residential, commercial or professional building through learning about who designed, built, lived in, worked in, and owned it with the broader place (in this case Auburn) and the changes that occurred over time (1827 to 1914 and beyond)”. Her presentation will be an exploration of the building exteriors and the people connected to the Main Street Historic District in Auburn which was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. This is a residential district on parts of Main, Elm and Vine Streets. The earliest house was built in 1826; the most recent built in 1914. Come and explore our past through some of our extant buildings close to home.

Come and enjoy history close to home on November 14, 2 o’clock in the library’s Androscoggin Room at 49 Spring Street.

This program is free and open to the public. To learn more, visit the Events Calendar on Auburn Public Library’s website — https://www.auburnpubliclibrary.org/events/upcoming