FREE e-scribe now!

This week’s edition!

Auburn Art Club to host guest author

AUBURN, ME — The Auburn Art Club will present author Mark Alan Leslie at 2:00 on Monday, April 1 at the Park Avenue Methodist Church. Mr. Leslie will give a presentation on the underground railroad.

Mr. Leslie wrote in a recent press release: “Mainers were crucial  to helping runaway slaves escape to Canada in the 1800’s, defying federal Fugitive Slave Act as they operated as “station managers,” “conductors” and “financiers” in the famous Underground Railroad. Among those who put themselves and their fortunes at risk were a number of Androscoggin County families”.

Mr. Leslie has written 13 books, including True North Tice’s Story about one slave’s escape over the Underground Railroad, which was named  a Publishers Weekly Featured Book.

The Auburn Art Club  invites the public to hear Mr. Leslie weave  the tale of the brave families who housed and fed slaves in hidden rooms, attics, and  elsewhere helping them on their way to freedom.

Brush Pick-Up Assistance Week begins earlier

LEWISTON, ME – Lewiston Public Works (LPW) announced that the department will start its annual Brush Pick-Up Assistance Week three weeks early this year and that residents must place brush curbside with cut ends facing the street by Sun., Apr. 7. The service is free for Lewiston residents.

Lewiston Public Works will collect brush debris from the City’s residential properties, which is three units or less, owner occupied during Brush Pick-Up Assistance Week which runs from Mon., Apr. 8, through Fri., Apr. 12. 

Residents must place their brush curbside with cut ends facing the street by Sun., Apr. 7. There are no exceptions. Curbside collection is restricted to wood/tree waste and brush only and limited to one standard pick-up truck load or three yards, per residence.

“Don’t wait until Monday or when you see LPW crews to put out your debris,” said Reggie Poussard, LPW Highway Operations Manager. “LPW crews will pick up brush starting Mon., Apr. 8, and once an LPW truck is in a neighborhood, we can’t wait or go back. We must follow a strict schedule in order to complete citywide pick-up efficiently and effectively.”

The curbside brush piles must be neatly placed in a convenient curbside location that Public Works crews can easily access from the street, and the location must be free of overhead obstructions or parked vehicles. Pick-up will follow the same routes and days used for waste and recycling collection.                                       

Items that will not be picked up include tree stumps regardless of size, tree limbs greater than 12 inches diameter, demolition wood – fencing, decking, and/or wood from construction/demolition projects.

“As residents prepare for Brush Pick-Up Assistance Week, we also encourage them to sterilize pruning tools between tree cuttings to avoid spreading any diseases from one tree to another,” said Poussard.

One way to sterilize pruning tools is to pour a half cup of rubbing alcohol into a bowl or shallow dish. Dip the pruning sheers in the rubbing alcohol for one to two minutes. Pull the shears out of the solution and rinse them with water and then dry with a towel.

Also during pick-up week only, residents may bring one standard size pick-up truck load of brush to the Solid Waste Facility, 420 River Road, Lewiston, at no charge.

Questions about Brush Pick-Up Assistance Week may be directed to (207) 513-3003

Healing Hearts presents Lewiston Relief Gala

LEWISTON, ME — A dedicated team of Maine-based event professionals has organized the Lewiston Relief Gala, in collaboration with the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, with the shared goal of raising significant funds to be donated to the OneLewiston Resilience Fund to support long-term economic and community healing events related to the impacts of October 25, 2023 mass shooting in Lewiston.

On October 25, 2023, a somber event unfolded, shaking not only the City of Lewiston but the entire State of Maine. The unfortunate incident claimed the lives of 18 individuals, leaving dozens more injured. Many families have been profoundly affected, prompting a compassionate group of Mainers to unite in support. Let’s come together on March 29th to make a positive impact and assist those in need.

In addition to the event, Healing Hearts is hosting an online silent auction at https://givebutter.com/c/HealingHeartsLA/auction. Online auction items include: 1880’s Saratoga Dome Trunk Restored by Maine Steamer Trunk Company; Four tickets to Portland Symphony Orchestra Magic of Christmas!; four tickets to experience one of the PSO’s Classical or POPS! performances at Merrill Auditorium in Portland, Maine; One Night Stay & $50 Pub Certificate at Oxford Casino; Oxbow Beer Garden Gift Basket; and White Glove Detailing Package: Bill Dodge Auto. The auction ends at 9pm on March 29, 2024.

Net proceeds from the Healing Hearts Gala will be donated to L/A Metro Chamber of Commerce Foundation to support the long-term economic and community healing related to the impacts of October 25, 2023.

WHO: Healing Harts

WHAT: The Lewiston Relief Gala

WHEN: Fri., March 29 from 6 PM to 10 PM

WHERE: Hilton Garden Inn, Auburn Riverwatch

14 Great Falls Plaza, Auburn

TICKETS: https://givebutter.com/c/HealingHeartsLA

New pediatric providers at CMMC now accepting patients

 LEWISTON, ME — Three new pediatric providers at Central Maine Medical Center (CMMC), which is part of Central Maine Healthcare (CMH), are now accepting new patients.

 The addition of these new providers significantly addresses the recent shortage of pediatric services in the central Maine region.

 Molly Skog is a nurse practitioner (NP) who received her undergraduate degree from Saint Joseph’s College in Standish and completed her pediatric nurse practitioner training at Boston College.  

Zachary Newton, MD, also received his undergraduate degree in Maine, at Colby College. He attended medical school at the Morehouse School of Medicine in Georgia and completed his residency at Dartmouth Health Children’s in New Hampshire.  

Claire Watson is a nurse practitioner who attended the University of Utah. She worked in Las Vegas before coming to Maine. Watson says providing strong preventative and mental health care for children are the keys to building healthy adults. 

“The people of central Maine are very fortunate to have all three of these exceptional medical professionals here in our community, “said Rebecca Brakeley, MD, chief of women’s and children’s health at Central Maine Healthcare. “They join an all-star cast of providers, including Jared Morin, NP, David Baker, DO,  Erin Van Wagenen, MD, and a kind, thoughtful office staff. We encourage any parent who is looking for a pediatrician to call Central Maine Pediatrics for an appointment.”

 Those wishing to schedule an appointment with Central Maine Pediatrics should call 207-795-5730.

The unaccounted for circles of hell: A poetry reading, discussion

AUBURN, ME — In Dante’s Inferno, he easily descends into Hell and explores circles reserved for traitors & betrayers, liars & thieves.

The Unaccounted for Circles of Hell wrestles with the terrifying notion that we are currently there, that the things we suffer on a daily basis — Violence Against Women, Body Image, Death and Dying, and Grief — are a part of some larger punishment.

Join Lynne Schmidt for a reading of their work, and a discussion of how this collection came into being. This program will take place on Friday, March 15, starting at 4 p.m., and will take place in the Androscoggin Community Room. No registration is required.

Lynne Schmidt is the granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor and a mental health professional with a focus on trauma and healing. They are the winner of the 2020 New Women’s Voices Contest and author of the chapbooks, Dead Dog Poems (Finishing Line Press), and Gravity (Nightingale and Sparrow Press) which was listed as one of the 17 Best Breakup Books to Read in 2020, and On Becoming a Role Model (Thirty West), which was featured on The Wardrobe’s Best Dressed for PTSD Awareness Week. Their work has received the Maine Nonfiction Award, Editor’s Choice Award, and was a 2018 and 2019 PNWA finalist for memoir and poetry respectively.

For more information on this or other upcoming programs offered by the Auburn Public Library, visit www.auburnpubliclibrary.org.

When: Friday, March 15, 2024; 4:00-5:00 p.m.

Where: Androscoggin Community Room

Bill supports St. Mary’s Hospital, Tri-County Mental Health

AUGUSTA, ME —The Legislature’s Committee on Health and Human Services approved a bill from Sen. Peggy Rotundo, D-Lewiston, to provide $10.8 million to support behavioral health services in Lewiston. The bill includes $8.9 million for St. Mary’s Hospital in Lewiston for the purpose of allowing the hospital to continue to provide critical behavioral and mental health treatment and $1.9 million to help Spurwink acquire Tri-County Mental Health Services. The vote was unanimous of members present.

“In the aftermath of the tragic Lewiston shooting, we are searching for policy solutions to keep us safer and better identify those who may be ill enough to do others harm,” said Sen. Rotundo. “At the same time, we are still dealing with the fallout from years of isolation during the pandemic, resulting in a skyrocketing need for all kinds of mental health services. I believe an important component of our response to these challenges should be to reinforce the existing mental health resources in our state. St. Mary’s Hospital and Tri-County Mental Health Services are staffed with dedicated professionals who do excellent work. I believe we should prioritize keeping St. Mary’s funded so it can continue to work on the front lines of this crisis, and we should do all we can to prevent Tri-County from permanently closing its doors.”

The bill — LD 2105, “Resolve, to Protect and Enhance Access to Behavioral Health Services in Androscoggin County and Surrounding Communities” — originally sought to appropriate $10.4 million in Fiscal Year 2025 to St. Mary’s. The hospital is now expected to save $1.5 million in revenues in Fiscal Year 2024 as a result  of changes to MaineCare hospital rate increases proposed in the Governor’s supplemental budget. The amount needed by St. Mary’s is now projected to be $8.9 million. The Committee also approved $1.9 million to allow Spurwink to acquire Tri-County Mental Health Services, in order to further reinforce the continuum of care in the Lewiston area. The bill’s new total is $10.8 million.

Representatives from St. Mary’s hospital attended the work session. LD 2105 will be the subject of votes by the full Legislature in the coming weeks.

Entertaining, thought-provoking new play at TPT

LEWISTON, ME — The Public Theatre, Lewiston/Auburn’s professional theatre is proud to produce the compelling new play Secret Hour, March 15 – 24. This will be the play’s second production after its world premiere last year in New York. Entertaining, humorous, poignant, and thought-provoking, if you’ve ever been in a relationship, you’ll be discussing this provocative new play all the way home.

For fun, a married couple invents a game where they confess unflattering truths about themselves and promise to love each other anyway. But is unconditional love really possible? Is being truthful the same thing as being true to oneself? Thankfully, they have a wise and hilarious handyman with a life coach certificate to help them answer these and other compelling questions.

Secret Hour is also a powerful play for women as its female character must face the decision of pursuing a career path or a family. The play cleverly asks if committed relationships brings out the best in us,  or make us compromise our true selves in consideration of the people we love.  Couples of all ages will find this play relevant to their lives and appreciate its intelligence, humor and fascinating questions.

Playwright Jenny Stafford will be joining The Public Theatre in the rehearsal process and participating in two free post-show discussions with the cast and director directly following the Saturday, March 16 and Sunday March 17th matinees. This is the second production this season where the playwright has attended their show at The Public Theatre and shared their thoughts and insights with our audience.

Playing the role of Kate, a successful college Ethics professor will be Katharine McLeod. Katharine previously appeared at The Public Theatre in Last Gas and regularly performs in professional theatres across the US and Canada. Playing her husband Ben is Jason Cadieux. Jason has been seen at The Public Theatre in Wait Until Dark and Wrong for Each Other. For the last 5 seasons, Jason has been a company member of the acclaimed Shaw Festival Theatre in Canada and has also appeared in Blue Bloods, FBI and Law & Order: SVU. Playing this couple’s wise and hilarious handyman Leaf is Josh Adams. Although based in NY, Josh has performed to acclaim at multiple well-known theatres in the D.C. area including The Folger and The Woolly Mammoth. At the directorial helm of this production will be Chris Clavelli. Chris last directed A Doll’s House Part 2 for The Public Theatre. He is currently a resident Director at Florida Repertory Theatre, and a recipient of a Carbonell Award for Best Actor and a Barrymore Award. His direction earned him an Alan Schneider directing nomination through Theatre Communications Group. The Set Design for Secret Hour will be by Chez Cherry, lights by Matt Cost, costumes by Kevin Hutchins and sound by John Morrison.

Secret Hour will be performed at The Public Theatre, Lewiston’s Professional Theatre March 15 – 24. Showtimes are Thurs and Fri at 7:30pm, Sat at 3pm, Sun at 2pm with an added Sat evening on March 23 at 7:30pm.  Tickets are $30 Adults, $25 Groups 10+, $20 Student 19+ with ID. For tickets call 782-3200 or visit thepublictheatre.org.  The Public Theatre is located at 31 Maple St., Lewiston.

Sponsored by IBEW Local 567 Portland and Warp and Weft

Season Underwriters: Sun Journal, Platz Associates, and Bennett Radio Group

Katharine McLeod as Kate and Jason Cadieux as Ben

Glow Dance Party coming to Franco Center March 15 

LEWISTON, ME—The Franco Center will host a Glow Dance Party at Heritage Hall Bar, from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, March 15. DJ Jake Hodgkin, production manager at the Franco Center, will lead line dancing occasionally during the evening. 

“Wear as much white and neon-colored clothing as you can because blacklights will be in use throughout most of the building,” said Hodgkin. “The effect will be stunning! Glow sticks will be available for extra fun.” 

A cash bar will be available in Heritage Hall. “For people wondering if the Franco Center has a bar, yes, we do, and our bartenders are the best! This dance glow party is a good time to check us out,” said Hodgkin. 

Cover charge is $10 at the door or pay what you can. 

The Franco Center is at 46 Cedar St., Lewiston. Parking is in the mill lot on Oxford Street. Handicap access is via an elevator on the Lincoln St. Alley side of the building. Membership is not required to attend this event. 

 Jake Hodgkin, production manager at the Franco Center. Photo credit: Franco Center. 

Jonathan Knowlton joins Champoux Insurance Group

AUBURN, ME — Champoux Insurance Group is pleased to announce that Jonathan Knowlton has joined their team in February as an Account Executive. Jonathan brings 20 years of experience in the insurance and investment field with him to this new position. 

After graduating from Thomas College with honors, he went to work for MetLife as a personal financial representative. From there, he worked for Allstate Insurance, and within 3 years, had opened his own agency on Sabattus Street in Lewiston. Jonathan closed the agency after 13 successful years. 

Making sure clients are educated about the risks they face and protecting them with auto, home, and life insurance products has always been important to Jonathan; local families truly are in good hands with him. 

Jonathan lives in Auburn with his wife and son, and enjoys ice fishing, ATVing, hiking, growing hot peppers and volunteering with the Boy Scouts.

Champoux Insurance Group welcomes John to our Team.

Registration is open for Hike for Hospice

LEWISTON, ME–Androscoggin Home Healthcare + Hospice invites all Mainers to Hike for Hospice on Saturday, May 18th at Pineland Farms to raise awareness for the importance of end-of-life care, emphasizing the support, kindness, and compassion that hospice services offer to patients and their families throughout Maine. Hike for Hospice aims to help ensure that high-quality hospice services are available to all individuals and their families throughout the state regardless of their ability to pay.

The event will include a traditional or ADA compliant trail, face painting, and family fun. Although the event is scheduled from 9am-1pm, there is no designated start time – participants are encouraged to come to hike and enjoy all that Pineland Farms has to offer at their own leisure.

Can’t attend in person? No problem! Join us virtually where you can walk at your own pace in the location of your choice- as an individual or a team! Virtual participants can submit photos, videos, and/or stories of their participation via email to leslie.ogilvie@androscoggin.org, on the Androscoggin Facebook page, or through the hashtag #HikeForHospice2024.

“We invite everyone to join us for this meaningful event, either in-person at beautiful Pineland Farms or virtually at a location of your choice” said Androscoggin’s Community Relations and Development Manager Leslie Ogilvie. ” Hike for Hospice is more than just a walk. It’s an opportunity for people to celebrate the lives of loved ones who have passed away, whether in Androscoggin’s care or elsewhere.” To register or learn more, please visit https://androscoggin.org/get-involved/hike/.

For more information about the Hike for Hospice, please contact Leslie Ogilvie at leslie.ogilvie@androscoggin.org.


Contact Us!

89 Union Street, Suite 1014
Auburn, ME 04210
(207) 795-5017
info@twincitytimes.com