AUBURN, ME (September 1, 2023) – For Hunger Action Month this September, Good Shepherd Food Bank joins Feeding America and other member food banks to inspire conversation and drive passion for the issue of hunger. The month-long campaign will highlight the impact of food on people’s lives, and show how a meal goes beyond solely nourishing our bodies. When people are fed, futures are nourished, and individuals go from just living to truly thriving.

September marks the 16th year Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization with a nationwide network of 200 food banks, including Good Shepherd Food Bank, and 60,000 partner food pantries and meal programs, has organized the annual call to action. By joining the movement, the Food Bank believes our collective voices, actions and commitment will help ensure every community has the food it needs to flourish.

“Food has a tremendous impact on people’s lives. We have all experienced firsthand how a meal goes beyond solely nourishing our bodies,” said Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America. “Access to nutritious food is essential for each of us to reach our full potential and reminds us that we can all help to create positive change in our communities to ensure that no one goes hungry in America. Now is the time for us to come together to elevate the voices of people who experience food insecurity and inspire everyone to join the movement to end hunger.”

During the month of September, people across Maine can get involved by listening, acting and inviting others to speak up about ways to end hunger.

Don’t forget to wear orange on Hunger Action Day – September 15!

Volunteer – Good Shepherd Food Bank is committed to the belief that involving volunteers in its operations is a necessity for carrying out its mission of providing increased access to food for those at risk of hunger in the state of Maine.

Engage and Advocate by sharing this video – be sure to like and engage with Good Shepherd Food Bank on social media. Stay up-to-date with the fight against hunger on Facebook and Instagram. Posting about Hunger Action Month or Day on your own? Use #HungerActionMonth and be sure to tag @FeedingMaine and @FeedingAmerica on your post.

Donate – online contributions are an efficient way to help end hunger in Maine. Every $2 can help provide food for four meals!

Virtual Food Drive – organize a Virtual Food Drive right from your computer! Set up your fundraiser in a few easy steps, share the link with your network, and help raise critical funds needed to help all Mainers thrive.

Hunger Action Month is a time for everyone across the country to collectively act against hunger. You can choose to donate or advocate. You can choose to volunteer or raise awareness. You can choose to help end hunger. Learn more about how you can take action by visiting www.FeedingMaine.org/

(September 1, 2023) — The Ladies of St Anne Sodality of Holy Family Church, Prince of Peace Parish will be having a Pot Luck meeting at the Church Parish Hall on Wednesday September 20,2023 at 6:00 PM. The doors will be open at 5 PM. The tickets for the meal is $5.00 and must be purchased by September 15, 2023 by contacting any of the Board Members or by calling Anita at 782-4516. After the meal, there will be the Installations of Officers, Counselors and Honorary Members. The Church Bulletin will have more information.

AUBURN, ME (August 24, 2023) — Join author Jeff Romano for a slideshow presentation showcasing hiking opportunities throughout New England. The program will cover destinations in all six states with a focus on itineraries featured in his latest guidebook, an updated edition to 100 Classic Hike New England (June 2023). Jeff will share advice, provide insights, and answer questions on how and where to plan your next hiking adventure. The presentation will also include information on New England wildflowers, birds, wildlife, history, and conservation success stories.

A representative from the Androscoggin Land Trust will also be available to talk about their conservation efforts and available trails.

Jeff Romano is a lifelong New England resident who has been hiking for five decades. He is the author of four other guidebooks: Hike the Park Acadia (2021), Day Hiking New England (2015), 100 Classic Hikes New England, First Edition (2010), and Best Loop Hikes: New Hampshire’s White Mountains to the Maine Coast (2006). Published by Mountaineers Books, these publications will be available for sale after the presentation. Jeff has also written numerous outdoor articles for the Boston Globe and other publications.

When not hiking, Jeff directs public policy activities for Maine Coast Heritage Trust, a land trust that conserves and stewards Maine’s coastal lands and islands. He lives in Hallowell, Maine with his wife, and shares his passion for the outdoors with his family, including his two adult children.

This program will take place in the Androscoggin Community Room on Thursday, September 7, from 4:00-5:00 p.m.

For more information about other upcoming programs at the Auburn Public Library, visit their website at www.auburnpubliclibrary.org.

AUBURN, ME (August 25, 2023) – Following more than a year of construction, and in preparation for school to start, the City of Auburn opened the incredible new Edward Little High School Sunday, August 27.

The Auburn School Department, elected officials, special guests, students, staff, and community members gathered just outside the new school for a grand opening ceremony and ribbon cutting.

AUBURN, ME (August 24, 2023) — As you approach age 65 and eligibility for Medicare, do you know all you need to know to select the right insurance plan for you? If not, you are invited to this no-cost virtual seminar on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, starting at 6:00 p.m. At that time, you will hear from an experienced insurance broker who specializes in helping clients with Medicare planning needs. This seminar is meant to help people navigate the options with Medicare and will include information on signing up for social security. This presentation will help you have a better understanding of your Medicare options, deadlines, and fines that may be imposed if you do not sign up on time. There will also be some helpful information on how to save on prescriptions.

This program is offered by Renata Lahner of The Lahner Group, whose mission is to provide unbiased Medicare and insurance advice for individuals from all walks of life while simplifying the complexities of the various healthcare options. Renata specializes in helping clients with Medicare, social security, and life insurance needs.

The program will take place via Zoom. Registration is required; to do so, visit the Events page of our website — www.auburnpubliclibrary.org — or call the Reference Desk at 207-333-6640, ext. 4. The Zoom link will be emailed to you on September 5.

LEWISTON, ME (August 25, 2023) — SeniorsPlus, Western Maine’s designated Area Agency on Aging, will present an Opening Minds through Art (OMA) art show at the agency’s Lewiston headquarters at 8 Falcon Road on Friday, September 8, from 1 to 3 p.m. The event is free and refreshments will be provided. Meet the artists, see their work, and learn more about OMA, an award-winning, evidence-based, art-making program that aims to provide social engagement and create expression for persons living with dementia. Funded by a grant from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, DHHS, Washington, DC, OMA strives to bring joy, art, and pride to people living with dementia and Alzheimer’s in our community. Contact SeniorsPlus at 207-795-4010 for more information. 

Through a series of classes, OMA engages people with dementia in creating art based on imagination, not memory. During the six-week program, people with dementia (the “artists”) are paired one-on-one with volunteers who help them create art. 

Me and Three, Watercolor and India ink by Lewiston OMA artist Linda, 2023.

AUBURN, ME (August 18, 2023) – The Great Falls Comedy Club will have live comedy this week on Friday, August 25, at 7:00 and 9:00 pm and on Saturday, August 26, at 7:30 pm.

Make laughter a priority and be part of the fun as Capital City Improv invades the stage for two shows Friday evening.  Master improver Dennis Price will bring on-the-spot comedy to all ages at 7:00 pm and then for the 18+ crowd at 9:00 pm.

On Saturday, host Nick Gordon will kick things off along with featured comedians Cathy Boyd and Ish Gupta, who set the stage for one of New England’s best stand-up comedy talents, headliner Karen Morgan.

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

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

WATERVILLE, ME (August 18, 2023) – The Maine Film Center is excited to announce its participation in National Cinema Day with two showings of a beloved family classic: “Shrek”. “Shrek” will be shown for one day only on Sunday, August 27 at 12pm and 3pm.

Founded by the The Cinema Foundation, National Cinema Day was launched in 2022 with the mission of returning movie-goers to cinemas after a prolonged disruption by the Covid-19 pandemic. Running with the tagline “All Movies, All Showtimes, $4”, The Cinema Foundation is committed to promoting the communal cinematic experience, and the positive effects it can bring to any community.

Released in 2001, “Shrek” continues to endure as a fan favorite over two decades after its initial release. Following the story of a grumpy ogre whose swamp is threatened by the king, Shrek must embark on a journey with his talkative sidekick Donkey in order to save the Princess Fiona.

Starring the vocal talents of Mike Meyers, Eddie Murphy, and Camera Diaz, “Shrek” is truly a comedy for all ages.

Tickets for both showings go on sale August 21 at a reduced rate of $4. Furthermore, ticket sales for all films showing on Sunday, August 27 will be reduced to $4. For more information, please visit MaineFilmCenter.org.

LEWISTON, Maine (August 18, 2023)– Safe Voices has been selected as a beneficiary of the Hannaford Bloomin’ 4 Good Program for the month of September.

The Hannaford Bloomin’ 4 Good Program, which launched in August 2021, is an easy way for shoppers to give back. Every Bloomin’ 4 Good Bouquet with the red circle sticker sold supports a nonprofit organization local to the Hannaford in which it was purchased.

Safe Voices was selected as the September beneficiary by local store leadership at the Hannaford located in Auburn. Safe Voices will receive a $1 donation for every Bloomin’ 4 Good Bouquet with the red circle sticker purchased at the Auburn Hannaford located at 95 Spring Street.

“Flowers seem like a small thing,” said Grace Kendall, Director of Development and Engagement at Safe Voices. “But they can make someone’s day. And if I know a bouquet also supports a cause I really cared about, it’s doubly appreciated. I hope folks will brighten their day (and ours) with this program in September.”

Safe Voices is a domestic abuse and sex trafficking resource center serving survivors in Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford Counties. Last year, the agency worked with over 2,200 survivors in these counties to help them safety plan, access shelter, work with legal and civil 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. You can learn more, and access help, at safevoices.org.

For more information about the Hannaford Bloomin’ 4 Good Program, please visit hannaford.2givelocal.com.

AUBURN, ME (August 18, 2023) — East Auburn Community Unit (EACU) President Bonnie Phillips, center, presents a check for $20,000 to Tim Cowan, president of the Lewiston-Auburn Community Little Theatre (CLT) Board of Directors. This contribution was made to assist with the major stage lighting upgrades that are underway at the theatre.  At left is Britny Anderson, EACU secretary and co-chair of the production board at CLT.

Established in 1949, the EACU is a community-based, volunteer-driven organization, with a mission of supporting youth, community, and country. The EACU has a long history of supporting youth activities and organizations such as CLT that provide youngsters with recreational or artistic opportunities. In making the presentation, Phillips expressed the EACU’s gratitude “for all the beauty and opportunities that CLT brings to the L-A area.”