LEWISTON, ME — The Lewison mass casualty event of Oct. 25, 2023 underscored the critical need for maintaining an adequate blood supply.

On that evening, Central Maine Medical Center (CMMC) relied not only on its own supplies, but on the resources of the American Red Cross and other community partners, as well. Simply put, blood donations save lives.

With that in mind, Central Maine Healthcare is partnering with the American Red Cross of Northern New England and LifeFlight of Maine to hold a “One Lewiston” blood drive in October in honor of the victims. The locations and times are:

Location: Central Maine Medical Center, 12 Main St. Conference Room A,B,C

Dates: Oct. 14 and 18

10 a.m.-3 p.m.

As Oct. 25 approaches, our goal is to collect 1,025 (10/25) units of blood during this drive.

To donate blood, visit https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=lifeflight   

To volunteer, visit https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084AA9A623A5FDC25-51734436-stronger#/

We encourage community members to use the hashtag #oneLewiston in social media activity related to this event.

To donate to CMMC’s Compassionate Care Fund, established in the days following the tragedy to support patients, caregivers and the community in the wake of a mass casualty incident, please visit www.cmhc.org/cmmc/ways-to-give.

RAYMOND, ME – Have you always wanted to learn the art of watercolor painting? Or do you want to brush up on your skills?  Suitable for any skill level, Kathleen Gerdes’ watercolor workshop is coming to Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Boyhood Home in Raymond (40 Hawthorne Road) on Saturday, October 12, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Cost is $45 per student, which includes the use of the instructor’s supplies and materials. Everyone wishing to participate is asked to please register in advance by emailing workshop instructor Kathleen Gerdes at gerkat214@gmail.com.  

Designed to be a fun, stress-free community experience among fellow artists, Ms. Gerdes’ workshop will cover, step-by-step, what each student needs to know about paints, brushes, paper, and basic watercolor skills and techniques. Plenty of time will be offered to practice what you learn, and each student will leave with his or her own painting, along with the knowledge and skills needed to continue painting at home.

More about Kathleen Gerdes

Kathleen Gerdes of Naples is a mostly self-taught artist who teaches watercolor classes at Scarborough Adult Education.  A painter for more than 20 years, Kathleen believes that everyone is an artist and her love of teaching reflects that. Her work is unique and whimsical, and she loves to paint everyday objects that have lots of color. Her upcoming workshop at Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Boyhood Home in Raymond reflects her hope to expand and share her work throughout the Naples-Raymond-Bridgton area.

For more information, please visit www.hawthorneassoc.com or send email to gerkat214@gmail.com 

Image courtesy of Kathleen Gerdes.

LEWISTON, ME – The AgeWise Maine Initiative, a collaboration of Maine’s five Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) in partnership with Northern Light Health, will offer statewide vaccination clinics this fall, including several in Androscoggin County.

Launched in 2023 and powered by USAging grant funding, AgeWise Maine offers vaccine clinics in communities across Maine with the goal of ensuring that thousands of residents get immunized to stay healthy and focused on doing the things they love.

The CDC recommends getting the updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 and Flu vaccinations in Fall 2024 to protect yourself and your community. Both vaccinations are currently available and offered at AgeWise Maine clinics across the state. It is safe to receive COVID-19 and flu vaccines at the same visit.

“One of the best things you can do to keep yourself and your family healthy is to get vaccinated early on. We’ve heard of people who prefer to ‘wait it out’ and see how the flu season is playing out, but it’s important to remember that vaccines are the best way to prevent serious illness before you get sick,” said Carly Williams, Director, AgeWise Maine. “We’re glad we have the opportunity to support Mainers through a second vaccination season this fall, and we hope many of them will take advantage of visiting one of our upcoming clinics.”

Upcoming vaccination clinics include:

SeniorsPlus

8 Falcon Road, Lewiston

October 4; 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Blake Street Towers

70 Blake Street, Lewiston

October 10; 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

SeniorsPlus

8 Falcon Road, Lewiston

October 23; 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

A searchable database of upcoming vaccination clinics around the state is available online at AgeWiseMaine.org.

LEWISTON, ME – The Androscoggin Historical Society (AHS) has entered the final phase of a $750,000 fundraising campaign to support the purchase of 93 Lisbon Street in Lewiston, relocation from the third floor of the County Courthouse in Auburn, and the first three years of expanded operations in its new home.

The “Family Initiative” includes a 9-foot mural installed in the main gallery at 93 Lisbon Street and the opportunity for donors making a gift of $5,000 to include their family name on the mural with an accompanying family history added to a special section in the archives. The mural, titled “People of the Androscoggin Build Community: Past, Present & Future,” identifies each of the towns united by the Androscoggin River and its tributaries with the date of incorporation as well as a photograph. The photographs will change periodically and feature themes such as grange halls, schoolhouses, churches and local businesses, as part of the gallery’s rotating exhibitions.

While AHS freely accepts genealogical materials, donors to the “Family Initiative” will receive assistance documenting their family story and curating photographs as well as being acknowledged on the mural. The history of Androscoggin County is enriched by generations–past and present–of iconic small businesses, civic and political leaders, educators 1 and successful athletes. The mural will not only provide visitors to AHS the map of Androscoggin County but also the names of families who have been part of the County’s heritage and are contributing to its future prosperity.

Ten donors have already stepped forward to participate. Rebecca Swanson Conrad from Auburn notes, “I am honoring my husband’s family name with a gift to the Family Initiative. I cannot think of a better way to capture the story of his business contributions to the region and to ensure that the photographs of Austin’s Fine Wines and Foods in the former First National Bank building in downtown Auburn are archived in perpetuity.”

Gifts may be made by one individual or a family group with up to two family names. Contributions may be paid over one, two or three years.

The Androscoggin Historical Society preserves the histories of the 14 towns in Androscoggin County and periodically convenes the “Society of Societies” to promote collaboration among the individual historical societies located in towns across the County. As an archival repository for records, genealogy, maps and photographs, AHS responds to research questions both locally and from around the world by providing information for individuals seeking family history to scholars searching for primary historical sources about the region to local K-12, home-schooled and college students. Additionally, the Society conducts lectures and open-house programs, walking and historic house tours, and hands-on interactive experiences at its two historic properties in Auburn: the Knight House and the West Auburn one-room schoolhouse.

The Society’s 93 Lisbon Street museum, library and archives are open to the public, free of charge Wednesdays 9:00am -1:00pm; Fridays Noon – 4:00 pm; and Saturdays 9:00am -1:00pm and in the summer and fall during each last Friday Art Walk. For more information, to volunteer or make a gift, or to learn about upcoming special programs, please visit the Society’s website androhistory.org, send an email to info@androhistory.org or call 207-784-0586.

“People of the Androscoggin Build Community: Past, Present & Future,” (Androscoggin Historical Society)

LEWISTON, AUBURN, ME — The Lewiston-Auburn Community Little Theatre (CLT) held its annual membership meeting recently at the theater on 30 Academy Street in Auburn. Danny Gay and Britny Anderson were presented with their official director’s chairs in recognition of their successful directorial debuts during the 2023-24 season. Gay directed the Agatha Christie murder mystery “And Then There Were None” and Anderson directed the timeless classic “Alice in Wonderland.”

Outgoing CLT Board President Ashleigh St. Pierre presented the prestigious President’s Award to Danielle Eaton in recognition of her countless contributions to CLT, including as a performer, producer, and in development. Eaton is now the new president of the CLT Board of Directors.

Those in attendance at the annual meeting also had the opportunity to meet the cast of CLT’s upcoming production of the musical “1776” as they performed “Sit Down, John,” a musical number from the show. There was also a musical preview from “Nunsense” and an inside look at “The Little Prince” and “SpongeBob: The Musical,” the other shows in CLT’s 85th season. More information and tickets available at laclt.com. 

Outgoing CLT Board President Ashleigh St. Pierre (left) presented the prestigious President’s Award to incoming president Danielle Eaton.

AUBURN, ME – Make laughter a priority this week at Great Falls Comedy Club on Saturday night with a Worcester, Massachusetts microphone takeover presenting some of that area’s best stand-up comics.

The club welcomes Kevin Knightly, Kevin Lamory, John Tyler, and Tim Champa as they trek up the highway to work for your laughs.          

Tickets can be found at https://www.greatfallscomedyclub.com or purchased at the door.  Great Falls Comedy Club is located inside Craft Brew Underground at 34 Court Street, Auburn, under the red awning.

For more information contact the club at info@greatfallscomedyclub.com or by phone at 207-200-5366.

LEWISTON, ME — October is Domestic Violence Action Month, and Safe Voices will be holding two vigils, one in Farmington and one in Lewiston on Monday, Oct. 7 to honor those who have experienced domestic abuse and violence. The vigil is held annually to honor those who have lost their lives to domestic abuse and violence, offer hope to those still facing abuse, and support those who have survived.

The candlelit vigils will start at 6pm and will be held simultaneously in Dufresne Plaza at 72 Lisbon Street in Lewiston and at Meeting House Park at 139 Main Street in Farmington. It will include guest speakers from the community, survivor stories, and a remembrance ceremony. All are invited to attend and show their support. Domestic abuse and violence are community issues, representing danger not just to those who live through abuse but to the community at large. Safe Voices invites friends and neighbors to join together to show that the effort to end abuse must also be a community one.

For more information about this or other Safe Voices events, please contact Safe Voices’ Education Coordinator Marie Lane at mlane@safevoices.org or 207-795-6744 ex. 204.

Safe Voices is the domestic abuse and sex trafficking resource center serving Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford Counties. Last year, the agency worked with 2,318 unique survivors in these counties to help them safety plan, access shelter, work with civil and legal advocates, and work through emergent crises as well as the ongoing, long-term effects of domestic abuse and sex trafficking. The agency has been doing this work in Maine since 1977. Those experiencing or impacted by domestic abuse and needing to reach out should call the agency’s 24-hour helpline at 1-800-559-2927.

LEWISTON, ME — During the last week of September, Central Maine Healthcare (CMH) will join the rest of the nation in honoring its advanced practice providers (APPs).

An APP is a health care provider who is not a physician but performs medical procedures typically performed by a physician, having undergone extensive medical education and training. Among their ranks are nurse practitioners, physician assistants, certified nurse midwives, certified registered nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists and certified anesthesiologist assistants.

With the U.S. experiencing a physician shortage, APPs have become even more critical to healthcare providers’ ability to successfully care for their patients.

“I chose to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist because I wanted to expand my clinical knowledge,” said Tina Moring, lead certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) at Central Maine Medical Center (CMMC). “I was already committed to our patients, but I wanted to do more. Being a CRNA allows me to serve our community, to meet more of the needs of our patients, and I get to do what I love, every day.”

“I was previously working as an athletic trainer with a semi-pro basketball team,” said Angela Michalka, a physician assistant (PA) at CMH Orthopedics. “Though I was an important part of the team, I wanted to be able to do more and provide more advanced care for the players instead of having to hand them off when they had a more significant injury. As a PA I am now able to provide advanced comprehensive care for my patients and I hope I am able to help keep them active and doing the things they enjoy.”

AUBURN, ME — Director Celeste Philippon has announced the cast for Community Little Theatre’s upcoming production of the musical “1776,” which will open on October 25.

Kicking off CLT’s 85th consecutive season, “1776” tells the story of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson as they fight for independence against a deadlocked Continental Congress in a show filled with humor, romance, and tension. The seminal event in American history blazes to life in this unconventional Broadway hit, which won three Tony Awards, including Best Musical. “1776” puts a human face on the pages of history as we see the real men behind the names we have known for so long. Witness the birth of a nation as our forefathers struggle to craft the Declaration of Independence.

Left to right seated are Tony Morin (John Hancock), Greg Lambert (George Read), Phil Vampatella (Caesar Rodney), Dan Crawford (Col. McKean), Glenn Davis (Richard Henry Lee), Rowland Hazard (Courier), and Nicole Emery (Joseph Hewes). Standing are Joe Daniels (Josiah Bartlett) Mark Dils (John Adams), Chip Morrison (Rev. Witherspoon), Jeff Fairfield (Roger Sherman), Roger Philippon (Ben Franklin), Joe Cormier (Robert Livingston), John Blanchette (John Dickinson), Gerry Therrien (Edward Rutledge), Dan Kane (James Wilson), Geoff Pike (Samuel Chase), Jason Riethmann (Charles Thomson), Tony Roy (Samuel Chase), Jim McKinley (Andrew McNair), Danielle Robichaud (Martha Jefferson), Jacob Osborne (Dr. Hall), and Sarah Duncan (Abigail Adams). Absent are Grayson Smith (Thomas Jefferson), Ray Fletcher (Stephen Hopkins), Christian Kuhlthau (Lewis Morris), James Vaillancourt (Leather Apron), and Elijah Morissette (Painter).

Performances will be held October 25, 26, 31, and November 1 and 2 at 7:30 p.m., and October 27, and November 3 at 2:00 p.m. Season subscriptions and individual tickets are now available online at www.laclt.com/box-office.

LEWISTON, ME – SeniorsPlus, Western Maine’s designated Area Agency on Aging, is bringing back Opening Minds through Art (OMA), a program that strives to bring joy, art, and pride to people living with dementia and Alzheimer’s in our community. Through a series of classes, OMA engages people with dementia in creating free-wheeling art. The last 2024 session of OMA classes will be offered at 8 Falcon Road, Lewiston, 2 to 3 p.m. on Fridays September 27 through November 1 at 8 Falcon Road, Lewiston. Registration is required by contacting SeniorsPlus at 207-795-4010 or edcenter@seniorsplus.org. OMA is free.

During the six-week program, people with dementia (the “artists”) are paired one-on-one with volunteers who help them create art using imagination instead of memory. SeniorsPlus seeks artists for the program, as well as volunteers to work one-on-one with participants in these art classes. No art background required.

Original art will be on view in an exhibition of new work by OMA artists on Friday, November 22 at SeniorsPlus at 8 Falcon Rd, Lewiston. The event is open to the public and refreshments will be served.

OMA is an award-winning, evidence-based, intergenerational art-making program for people with dementia. Developed in 2007 at Miami University’s Scripps Gerontology Center, the program is grounded in person-centered care principles. It is designed to provide creative expression and social engagement opportunities for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.