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

LEWISTON, ME — On Thursday, November 9th, the Lewiston Public Library will host Community Connect Maine for a screening of their short video collection entitled Invisible: Personal stories from the front lines of disability. This free, public program will take place from 5:30-7:30pm in Callahan Hall.

Invisible focuses on the lived experience of Mainers with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families and caregivers as told in their own voices. Following the screening will be an opportunity for the audience to ask questions of the filmmakers and some of the subjects as well.

This ongoing, multi-year project was developed, with grant funding from the Maine Developmental Disabilities Council, by Community Connect Maine, a non-profit organization dedicated to the vision that all people have the support they need, when they need it, to live a full life in their communities of choice. A barrier to achieving that goal is that many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are invisible in their community. Community Connect Maine hopes to overcome that barrier by helping people in the disability community share their stories.

Registration is recommended for this event. Register online at https://communityconnectme.org/events-and-workshops. Light refreshments will be available.

The Lewiston Public Library is located downtown at 200 Lisbon Street at the corner of Pine Street. More information about this event is available by contacting the Lewiston Public Library at 513-3135 or LPLReference@lewistonmaine.gov.

AUBURN, ME — On November 6th, the Stanton Bird Club will be hosting the first in its 2023-24 lecture series with Amber Whittaker, Senior Geologist with the Maine Geological Survey (MGS). Prior to returning to her home state of Maine in 2016, Amber’s career encompassed both industry and graduate work in diverse locales such as New Mexico and New Zealand. Her professional journey has taken her across the globe, including Maine, the desert Southwest, the European Alps, the Southern Alps, and Antarctica, where she engaged in extensive geological lab and fieldwork. At present, her primary responsibilities involve conducting bedrock mapping and creating bedrock geologic maps for publication. In addition to her mapping endeavors, Amber collaborates closely with academic institutions and state and federal agencies on grant-funded projects and the publication of peer-reviewed articles. This talk will explore the amazing diversity of Maine’s geologic landscape and discuss how the natural features were developed from 700 million years ago to the present day. We will briefly look at the tools that scientists use to study the earth and projects that are currently underway in Maine.

The talk will be held on Monday, November 6th from 4-6pm at the Auburn Public Library. The public is welcome. The lecture series is free of charge.

The Stanton Bird Club, a leader in environmental awareness, owns and manages the Thorncrag Nature Sanctuary in Lewiston as well as the Woodbury Nature Sanctuary in Monmouth and Litchfield. More information about other activities of the Club can be found at www.StantonBirdClub.org and on its Facebook page.

Amber Whittaker (photo supplied by speaker)