The one-room schoolhouse was built in 1843. (Photo by Richard Plourde)

An open house was held recently at the West Auburn School, Auburn’s last remaining one-room schoolhouse, which closed in 1950. The event celebrated the official transfer of the schoolhouse to the Androscoggin Historical Society. Virtually all residents of West Auburn received invitations to the event.

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Mike Miclon as Moto Hoonchbach (Photo by Michael Menes)

For the final time during its 2018 season, Celebration Barn Theater will present an episode of Mike Miclon’s “The Early Evening Show” on Saturday, October 6 at 7:30 p.m. Featuring a wide array of guest performers, as well as audience favorites Fritz Grobe and the Early Evening Orchestra, this long-running late-night talk show spoof features sketches, soulful music, and wild improvisations. Tickets are $16, $14, and $10 for adults, seniors (ages 60-plus), and kids (ages 17 and under), respectively. Celebration Barn Theater is located just off Route 117 at 190 Stock Farm Road in South Paris. For more information or to purchase tickets, call the box office at 743-8452 or seewww.CelebrationBarn.com.

Nothing is more important than keeping our elderly in their homes. I am disappointed that the legislature significantly watered down my bill to help them.

Legislative leaders caved to the Maine Municipal Association and watered down my bill. While the new law adds protections for the elderly, municipalities can still sell their homes and keep the equity.

Sadly, it appeared our elderly were not a priority for Democrat or Senate Republican leaders. And we know they are not a priority for the Maine Municipal Association.

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This year’s Loaned Executives are (l. to r.) Aaron Eicher of TD Bank, Carolyn Biegel of L.L.Bean, Jenn Kimborowicz of Hannaford Supermarkets, and Bob Rowe, who is sponsored by Tambrands Inc. and Central Maine Medical Center.

The United Way of Androscoggin County is pleased to welcome this year’s Loaned executives for the 2018 Campaign. They are Aaron Eicher of TD Bank, Carolyn Biegel of L.L.Bean, Jenn Kimborowicz of Hannaford Supermarkets, and Bob Rowe, who is sponsored by Tambrands Inc. and Central Maine Medical Center. Loaned Executives function as extensions of United Way’s fundraising staff in coordinating employee campaigns and soliciting employee pledges throughout Androscoggin County. To learn more about United Way or to conduct a workplace campaign, contact Director of Development & Marketing Brittany Myrick at 795-4000 or bmyrick@unitedwayandro.org.

Melanie LaMore Gagnon

The YWCA of Central Maine has selected Melanie LaMore Gagnon to be its new Executive Director. LaMore Gagnon brings more than a decade of experience serving the Central Maine area, most recently as the Director of Shelter and Housing Services at Safe Voices. She replaces Jane Morrison, who has served as Interim Executive Director since April. LaMore Gagnon will join the organization on October 15.

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Safe Voices has received more than 25 handmade quilts, along with pajamas, hats, and mittens, from the Lisbon Krazy Kwilters. The quilts will be distributed to residents in Safe Voices’ domestic violence shelter programs. Pictured here are group members showing their handiwork to Safe Voices staffer Victoria Stanton at the MTM Community Center in Lisbon.

Quinlan Friel, Grade 3 of Albany Township, gathers loose parts from nature for his tinker tray.

The Boxberry School in Harrison is utilizing a new curriculum framework this year as they work toward Educating for Sustainability (EfS). Seal Rossignol, Administrative Coordinator for the school, attended a week-long summer institute at Shelburne Farms in Shelburne, Vermont in July, where she received training in understanding the tenets of EfS, which include place-based education, project-based learning, service learning, and systems thinking. She is bringing this information back to Boxberry and working with new staffers Deanna Fahey and Cassandra Harmon to design curriculum around these pedagogies.

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A decade ago, the International Marine Terminal in Portland was nothing more than a derelict ferry dock in an overgrown, empty lot. Yet, in the 1800s, that same lot was booming with hundreds of ships and trains. We have brought this port back to life.

When I became Governor, MaineDOT Commissioner Dave Bernhardt laid out an ambitious vision for the IMT. Our administration secured investments that would transform the IMT back into a bustling, multi-modal freight facility.

By 2013, federal, state and private investments in the port led to Eimskip’s decision to make Maine its North American headquarters, positioning our state for a new era in the global shipping industry.

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The large American flag, held in place atop ladder trucks provided by the Auburn and Lewiston Fire Departments, waved in a slight breeze as the Maine Public Safety Pipe and Drum Corps and the Maine State Police Pipe and Drum Unit offered a stirring performance of “Amazing Grace.” Honor guards from around the area stood in front of the Basilica of Saints Peter & Paul in Lewiston, standing reverently as the music made its way down Ash Street and beyond.  

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Joseph Jackson is coordinator of the Maine Prisoner Advocacy Coalition and a program coordinator with Maine Inside Out.

The 2018-19 season of the Great Falls Forum kicks off on Thursday, September 20 when Joseph Jackson, coordinator of the Maine Prisoner Advocacy Coalition and a program coordinator with Maine Inside Out, presents an address called “Prison Reform in Maine and the Need for Those with Lived Experience to Lead the Discussion.” Free and open to the public, the program will take place from 12 to 1 p.m. in Callahan Hall at Lewiston Public Library.

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