AUBURN, ME — The YMCA of Auburn-Lewiston is excited to announce results from our Twin Cities Swim Team (TCST) at the YMCA Northern New England District Championships held in Goffstown, NH, January 25-26, 2025. This meet was attended by eight different teams representing YMCAs from Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts. TCST swimmers recorded first-place finishes in 30 different events over the weekend, breaking several team records and two state records in the process.

Sebastian Pambo, Owen Robinson, Eli Vandeventer, and Caden LaPlante set a new state record in the 13-14 Boys 200-Yard Freestyle Relay with a time of 1:36.40, besting the previous record by half a second. Caden LaPlante also broke the state record in the 13-14 Boys 100-Yard Butterfly with a time of 54.00, edging out the previous record of 54.27.  While it was the Granite YMCA Tiger Sharks who took top spot, TCST put forth a strong runner-up showing, notching a second-place finish overall.

About the Twin Cities Swim Team

The YMCA of Auburn-Lewiston has offered competitive swimming programs since the 1920s, with the name Twin Cities Swim Team being established in the 1990s. In 2021, we expanded our program to partner with the YWCA of Central Maine. Currently, there are 86 swimmers between the ages of 5 and 18 competing on the team. For further information about TCST, parents can email Head Coach Matt Reed at mreed@alymca.org.

About the YMCA of Auburn-Lewiston

Serving the greater L/A communities since 1868, the YMCA of Auburn-Lewiston is a 501(c)3 charitable educational organization that seeks to strengthen the foundations of local communities through collaborations and services that focus on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Each year, the YMCA serves more than 800 individual children in youth sports, camp, and childcare programs, along with over 4,000 active members taking part in health, wellness, and fitness programs. 

LEWISTON, ME – The L/A Arts Gallery is about to get provocatively cozy with a group show featuring artworks by Maine quilters Anne Walker, Rana O’Connor, Argenta Jeffrey and Celeste Poulin.

The artists are all members of Art Quilts Maine, a chapter of Pine Tree Quilts, which supports members in exploring contemporary quilt art, inspires creativity and individuality, and promotes the understanding, appreciation, and recognition of contemporary quilters in the state of Maine.

Each year since 2012, members of Art Quilts Maine have produced work in response to one or more themes. The resulting collection debuts at Maine Quilts, then tours the state for a year. Venues include libraries and galleries from Skowhegan to Cape Elizabeth.

Unlike the usual touring exhibitions, however, the theme for this new show at L/A Arts is built around ongoing engagement with the creative challenge itself.

About the Exhibition

Curated from an open call to group members, this retrospective includes works inspired by several different challenges from 2017 through 2023. Themes represented in the exhibition include:

Mixed Media Mashup (2017), which challenged artists to combine two or more visual art media in their works;

Batik Challenge (2018), wherein artists included batik fabrics in their creations;

On (or Off) the Beaten Path (2018), which asked artists to depict their interpretation of a path, trail, map, or walk from well-trod to rarely travelled;

Page 20 (2019) in which artists were inspired by a page from a random magazine;

Blue, Red and White (2019), for which artists were required to work with provided fabrics;

Inspired by the Classics (2020), featuring contemplations on an artist who worked prior to 1900;

Architexture (2021), which asked artists to take their ideas from any man-made structure;

Mystery Progression (2021), for which artists were provided a “word of the month” to incorporate into their developing quilts;

Quilts in the Abstract (2022), which challenged artists to fuse quilting techniques with abstract art;

Creative Circles, Rings and Curves (2023) demonstrates the many ways these shapes add motion to a quilter’s composition;

Tradition Re-Imagined (2023) asked artists to break the mold on a traditional quilt block.

Art Quilts Maine: A Retrospective runs January 31-March 14 at the L/A Arts Gallery, 168 Lisbon St. in Lewiston.

LEWISTON, ME — Central Maine Healthcare (CMH) and New England Cancer Specialists (NECS) recently marked the one-year anniversary of their agreement to enhance medical oncology and infusion services in the central Maine region.

The agreement was signed last year at CMH’s state-of-the-art Cancer Care Center, and according to John Hamilton, senior vice president, Service Line Operations, the relationship between the two is exceeding the already lofty expectations that existed going into the agreement.

“The total visit volume for all three CMH hospital’s cancer care services greatly exceeded projections,” Hamilton said.  “This unexpected influx of new patients was driven, in part, by CMMC being the only provider of cancer care in the region, but also speaks to the growing need for cancer care in the communities CMH serves.”

Central Maine Healthcare and NECS are currently recruiting additional providers to prepare for future growth.

Under the co-management agreement, NECS oversees operations and development of the cancer care program’s hematology and oncology practice and oncology infusion centers at CMMC, as well as CMH’s two critical access hospitals, Bridgton Hospital and Rumford Hospital.

Maine is among the U.S. states with the highest cancer mortality rates. Androscoggin County, where CMMC is located, has an elevated incidence of cancer, particularly lung cancer.

“Having this partnership and the support of NECS has empowered us to deliver exceptional cancer care to patients across central and western Maine,” said Nicholette Erickson, MD, oncologist at New England Cancer Specialists. “We are extremely proud of this collaboration and the life-changing impact we’ve been able to achieve together so quickly in these communities.”

“Our patients are benefiting greatly from this arrangement,” said Tim Counihan, MD, chief of surgery and the Oncology Institute at Central Maine Healthcare. “They are able to get the important care they need close to home, and at the same time have access to the resources of some of the best cancer specialists in the country.”

Central Maine Healthcare has achieved full accreditation from the Commission on Cancer which is awarded only to those institutions that provide patients with comprehensive, state-of-the-art services from a multi-specialty team coordinating all aspects of cancer care.

Physicians and leaders from New England Cancer Specialists and Central Maine Healthcare at the Dec. 2023 signing event

Don’t miss the final performances this weekend at The Public Theatre of their funny, moving and unforgettable production of Every Brilliant Thing, running this Thursday – Sun, Jan 30 – Feb 2.  Bonus Pre-show events include a Thursday wine-tasting, and Saturday night beer sampling! If you have ever written a “gratitude list”, or lost your reasons that make like worth living, this humorous, heartbreaking and delightfully surprising interactive play is for you. For Tickets and more information visit www.thepublictheatre.org or call 782-3200.

LEWISTON, ME – Andwell is happy to welcome Joshua A. Huppert, Au.D., who has joined Andwell Medical Partners, Andwell’s Multi-specialty Medical Group, to lead Andwell Audiology.

Originally a native of the southwest suburbs of Chicago, Dr. Huppert earned his Doctor of Audiology (AuD) degree from Pacific University in Oregon and completed his clinical residency at A.I. DuPont’s Hospital for Children in Delaware. Since then, Dr. Huppert has spent his last near-decade career providing impactful, evidence-based, and patient-centered care across the environments of pediatric hospitals, academic medical centers and the hearing industry. His clinical expertise in pediatric and vestibular audiology has earned him prestigious speaking engagements at local, national and international conferences and invitations to review many esteemed audiology journals. Dr. Huppert is also a published author, experienced leader and seasoned mentor of audiology students, medical residents/fellows and trainees.

Mathew Collins, Vice President of Medical & Community Services at Andwell Health Partners, shares “We are launching an Audiology Service Line to fill an important gap throughout the state of Maine. Maine people, of all ages, living in all zip codes, deserve better access to clinically excellent hearing healthcare services.

As Andwell works to collaborate with partners, payers, and the state of Maine to innovate care delivery and reimbursement models, Andwell has also been taking active steps to grow, evolve and diversify service offerings. While maintaining its legacy home health and hospice services,  Audiology is one of a handful of services that Andwell has launched over the last couple of years, including the Maine Center for Palliative Medicine, a mobile wound care practice, personal care and companionship, therapy and early learning, behavioral health, and outpatient therapy care clinics.

Collins continues, “Dr. Huppert is a national thought leader in the hearing healthcare space – with experience leading and personally delivering care across the full healthcare continuum.

He shared that ”the prevalence of individuals with hearing loss in Maine is one of the highest in country at just under 17% . When we further consider that individuals with untreated hearing loss are at increased risks for social isolation, depression, anxiety, and even cognitive decline, it is not difficult to see how valuable and necessary access to high-quality hearing healthcare is for communities to truly thrive.”  Dr. Huppert went on to say that he has  dreamt of living in Maine most of his adult life. “I am humbled by the opportunity to be a part of what I know will be a life-changing service with Andwell and the Maine community at large. I can’t wait to get started and look forward to meeting/serving the Maine community.”

Andwell Audiology is located at 72 Strawberry Avenue in Lewiston. The clinic opens on February 24, 2025, and is now accepting referrals. Call your primary care or specialist provider to ask for a referral.

AUBURN, ME – The Auburn Police Department is pleased to announce the addition of two new “Project Support You” (PSY) co-responders who have recently been assigned to the department.

Erica West and Scott Lesser, who are employed by Spurwink, will be co-responding with our officers to calls for service involving mental health issues, substance use, and persons experiencing homelessness.

Erica, Scott, and Tom Hibbert, who serves as the “Options” liaison for Androscoggin County, also provide outreach at the Pleasant Street Drop-In Center and other places throughout the community.

“It’s important to note that PSY and Options staff are not law enforcement officers,” said Auburn Police Lieutenant Anthony Harrington. “They are substance use, and mental health professionals working alongside law enforcement officers to engage the community and help connect some of our most vulnerable residents with available resources. We are proud of this partnership; it is meaningful to have this added layer of support and services available.”

Project Support You co-responders are also partnering with the Auburn Fire Department.

Erica West

LEWISTON, ME – ENX Magazine announced that Budget Document Technology (BDT) is among the 118 companies chosen as 2024 Elite Dealers. This is the fifth time that BDT has been cited among the nation’s top office technology dealerships.

“We’re honored to once again be recognized as a 2024 ENX Elite Dealer. This distinction highlights the dedication and passion of our entire BDT team—from administrative staff to sales and service support—who work tirelessly to serve our clients and give back to the community” says Tom Ouellette, president and founder of BDT.

All Elite Dealer applicants are judged by several metrics each year, including growth factors, marketing strategies, product/service enhancements, vendor/partner awards and charitable contributions/support. The select dealerships that qualify for the list are celebrated with a profile in the December issue of ENX Magazine.

“Our Elite Dealers roster continues to establish new, higher standards year after year, and 2024 is no exception,” said Susan Neimes, publisher and managing editor of ENX Magazine and ENX The Week In Imaging. “While last year’s growth was considered an outlier due to pent-up market demand, annual revenues continue to soar. From managed services to product diversifications, Elite Dealers continue to redefine themselves as solutions providers rather than being pigeon-holed as mere purveyors of copiers and MFPs. These dealers also continue to step outside their comfort zone in taking on non-traditional products that can be offered across their full client list. These companies are the ideal, the standard-bearer for what it means to be an impactful office technology dealer.”

AUBURN, ME — Join Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Services, along with several community partners, Thursday, January 30th from 5-7pm at the Auburn Public Library for a special screening of Sexploitation and an engaging discussion to follow.

Sex trafficking is here. It’s happening in Maine. In this special film, you’ll meet 4 brave Mainers who not only survived their experiences with sex trafficking, but have thrived in the aftermath, choosing to now serve others with similar experiences.

AUBURN, ME — Introducing Ashleigh St. Pierre’s directorial debut at Community Little Theater (CLT)! Heart and Music is sharing the love between each other, albeit complicated, romantic, or platonic. Shows are February 14th & 15th.

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.

From Left to Right: Gregory Judd, Justin Morin, Sara Chaloux (stage manager), Samantha Harriott, Adrian Morneau (music director), Ashleigh St. Pierre (Director), Eileen Messina, and Jacob Sutherland. Not pictured Anthony M. Delorme. Photo credit to Sophie Wood, prior editing done by Benjamin Simpson

AUBURN, ME — On February 3rd, the Stanton Bird Club will be hosting the third in its 2024- 25 lecture series presenting “Birding in the Falkland Islands” with Loring (Danny) Danforth, PhD.

Situated 300 miles off the coast of South America, the remote Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) are a destination for nature and wildlife enthusiasts. The islands are considered one of the great penguin capitals of the world with as many as a million penguins nesting there every summer. But beyond penguins, over 230 species of birds have been recorded including 70 breeding birds, 20 regular migrants, and more than 130 vagrants.

Having taught at Bates for 40 years and retiring in 2022 as the Charles A. Dana Professor Emeritus of Anthropology, Danforth has been a member of the Stanton Bird Club and an avid birder for over 35 years traveling widely to see birds and wildlife all over the world.

The talk will be held on Monday, February 3rd 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.

Loring “Danny” Danforth PhD