AUBURN, ME – We would like to welcome you to the Maine Iris Society’s 44th Median Iris Spring Flower Show! Join us at the Auburn Middle School, 38 Falcom Drive, Auburn, Maine on Saturday, May 24, 1:30 to 4:00 pm. Get ready to feast your eyes on a stunning display of colorful iris flowers and spring blooms. 

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just love flowers, this event is perfect. Admission is FREE and open to the public!  Don’t miss out on the chance to admire these beautiful flowers up close. Mark your calendars and come celebrate the beauty of spring with us! Potted plant sale, too!  Come and vote for your favorite iris stalk or spring flower!

LEWISTON, ME – The L/A Veterans Council and the City of Lewiston are asking the community to volunteer for an important annual effort to honor local veterans: placing American flags at their gravestones ahead of Memorial Day.

In accordance with a state law enacted in 2001, municipalities across Maine are required to place individual American flags at the grave of every veteran buried in their cemeteries. In Lewiston, this means placing approximately 7,500 flags across 13 cemeteries.

While smaller cemeteries are often supported by nearby residents, the city’s two largest cemeteries, Riverside and St. Peter’s, require additional volunteer support. Service organizations have adopted these sites over the years and coordinate the effort, but due to the scale of the project, more community help is needed.

Flag placement details:

Riverside Cemetery, 192 Summer Street, Lewiston

Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 8:30 AM

Rain date: Saturday, May 24, 2025, at 8:30 AM

Approximately 1,800 flags to be placed

Coordinated by the Knights of Columbus

Contact: Leo Baillargeon, 207-577-7424

St. Peter’s Cemetery, 217 Switzerland Road, Lewiston (meet at the Mausoleum)

Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 10 AM

Rain or shine

Approximately 4,500 flags to be placed

Coordinated by the L/A Veterans Council

Contact: Jerry Dewitt, 207-576-0376

Volunteers will be assigned to small teams and given a section of the cemetery to cover. Because no master list of veterans exists, participants will walk row by row, reading gravestone inscriptions. If military service is noted, a flag will be placed.

No pre-registration is necessary. Volunteers may arrive directly at the cemetery at the scheduled time and will receive instructions on-site.

Recommended items to bring include:

Screwdriver (to help insert flagpoles into the ground)

Work gloves

Sneakers or boots (in case of wet grass)

Water bottle, sunscreen, bug spray, and hat

Hand sanitizer

Children and youth are welcome to participate if accompanied by an adult

Company or organization T-shirts may be worn to show community support

“This is a hands-on and heartfelt way to pay tribute to those who served, especially veterans who no longer have family to remember them,” said Jerry Dewitt of the L/A Veterans Council. “Thank you for your support of our veterans this Memorial Day.”

Questions may be directed to the Lewiston City Clerk’s Office or to the individual cemetery coordinators listed above.

LEWISTON, ME — St. Mary’s Health System has officially opened its new Day Hospital Program, offering intensive outpatient mental health treatment for adults in need of short-term, structured support. Located on the St. Mary’s campus in Lewiston, the program is already serving patients and helping fill a critical gap in Maine’s behavioral health system.

The Day Hospital Program delivers a high level of care while allowing patients to remain at home and stay connected to family, friends and community supports. It is especially well-suited for adults transitioning from inpatient psychiatric care or those who need more support than traditional outpatient services provide.

“This level of care is essential for helping people find stability without requiring hospitalization,” said Aaron Landry, LCSW, director of social work. “It’s about meeting people where they are and giving them the tools and structure to heal while staying connected to their lives.”

Patients attend five days a week, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and receive five hours of therapeutic programming each day. The care team includes a psychiatrist, nurse and licensed social workers who provide group therapy, medication management, clinical check-ins and discharge planning. Snacks and transportation support are also available.

The program currently serves up to 10 patients, with plans to grow to 30.

To learn more, visit stmarysmaine.com.

AUBURN, ME – The L/A Community Little Theatre in Auburn will present “The Little Prince,” opening this Friday, May 9.

Based on the timeless fable first published in 1943, “The Little Prince” tells the story of a young man and an aviator who visit various planets, learning about loneliness, friendship, love, and loss. The two have a whirlwind adventure together, and by the end, both the “little man” and the aviator must go home—each with a new understanding of how to laugh, cry, and love again.

Performance dates for “The Little Prince” are May 9,10,15,16, and 17 at 7:30 pm, and May 11 and 18 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are available online at laclt.com or by calling 783-0958. Ticket prices (including all fees) are $25.00 for adults, $22.00 for seniors and students, and $17.00 for children ages 13 and under. Tickets will also be available at the door.

From left are cast members Evelyn Lenhert, Nicole Emery, Elliot J. Manfrim, and Hazel Flynn in a scene from CLT’s “The Little Prince.” The show opens Friday, May 9.

AUBURN, ME – The City of Auburn and its Comprehensive Plan Committee are excited to announce the launch of a comprehensive plan survey. All community members are invited and encouraged to take the survey, which is a crucial step in developing a long-term vision that reflects the needs of the community.

The comprehensive plan survey aims to gather input on various topic areas, including housing, transportation, parks and recreation, economic development, city services, and natural resources. The feedback and insight collected will guide the creation of a plan that reflects the goals and vision of Auburn’s community.

Community members can access the survey online at tinyurl.com/plan-auburn or visit the Planning Department at Auburn Hall (60 Court Street) for paper copies. The survey will be open from May 1 to May 31, and everyone is encouraged to take a few minutes to share their thoughts and ideas.

For more information about the comprehensive plan process, survey, or other opportunities to get involved, please contact Director of Planning, David Hediger at dhediger@auburnmaine.gov.

AUBURN, ME — The Lewiston-Auburn Kiwanis Club is pleased to announce its $100,000 Hole In One Contest. It will be hosted by Taber’s Restaurant, Miniature Golf and Driving Range at 473 Lake Shore Drive, Auburn. The qualifying dates are June 14 & 15 from Noon to 5 pm and Jun 18, 19, 20 and 21 from 4 to 7 pm. Those who are the ten closest to the pin will shoot it out for the top prize on June 22 at 3 pm!

Everyone is welcome to try to qualify, just use your favorite club and our golf balls. Try as many times as you like! It only costs $1 for one ball, six balls for $5 and 13 balls for $10.

This is a fundraiser for the Lewiston-Auburn Kiwanis Club. We have been serving our communities since 1922 with many charitable activities, such as scholarships, supporting Key Clubs in five area high schools and donations to community groups.

For more information, send an e-mail to abchoate@aol.com

LEWISTON, ME — St. Mary’s Health System is hosting a free varicose vein screening and information session on Thursday, May 15 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Lepage Conference Center, 99 Campus Avenue in Lewiston.

Appointments are required and available every 10 minutes. During the session, attendees will have the opportunity to meet with members of the vascular care team to discuss common symptoms such as leg heaviness, aching, fatigue, numbness, swelling and the appearance of spider or varicose veins.

This free screening is designed to help identify potential circulation concerns and provide expert guidance on treatment options and next steps for those experiencing symptoms.

To reserve your spot, call (207) 777-4469 or sign up online at stmarysmaine.com/vascularcare

LEWISTON, ME — Humor, heart and romance happen this weekend when the magical love story Now and Then opens at The Public Theatre in Lewiston.

They say there are no “do-overs” in life, but if you could get one, would you take it? Late one night in a Chicago pub, a young bartender and his girlfriend receive an intriguing proposition from a mysterious last-minute customer offering them $2,000 to talk with him for an hour. What follows is a magical love story filled with laughter, romance, tears and a mystery that will keep the cleverest theatre-goer intrigued.

Featuring a fully professional cast of actors with Broadway credits, Artistic Director Janet Mitchko says, “Now and Then looks at love through the eyes of a couple in their 20’s as well as in their 60’s and offers an important piece of advice for audiences of all ages.”

Now and Then will be performed at The Public Theatre, Lewiston’s Professional Theatre May 2 – 11. Showtimes are Thurs & Fri at 7 pm, Sat at 3 pm, Sun at 2 pm and Sat May 10 at 3 & 7:30 pm.  For tickets call 782-3200 or visit thepublictheatre.org.  The Public Theatre is located at 31 Maple St., Lewiston.

LEWISTON, ME — An enormous achievement for CMMC’s breast health team: they have been awarded re-accreditation status by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), following a recent site visit by the organization.

“As a participant of the NAPBC, your breast center has earned distinction as an ACS Surgical Quality Partner. This designation recognizes that your institution is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards in surgical care,” a statement from the NAPBC says.

“This re-accreditation is confirmation of what our patients already know: they are in good hands with the breast care professionals at CMMC,” said Renee Pinette, MD, OB/GYN and breast surgical oncologist on Central Maine Healthcare. “A breast cancer diagnosis can be devastating, but this seal of approval from NAPBC demonstrates our patients can trust they’re receiving comprehensive, compassionate and coordinated care from a dedicated team of specialists.”

“It’s wonderful to hear the dedication of our team to providing exceptional care has been recognized,” said Jessica Gironi, oncology accreditation manager for Central Maine Healthcare. “The reviewer’s comments highlight the strengths of the program, especially the offering of in-house services and the proactive steps taken to support patients.”

Central Maine Healthcare offers a full range of breast care treatment, including diagnosis and advanced diagnosis, prevention, treatment, ultrasounds and MRIs, biopsies and breast cancer surgery and reconstruction.

MAINE — Today, Andwell Health Partners announced they have been selected by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to participate in a new Medicare alternative payment model designed to support people living with dementia and their caregivers. Under CMS’ Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model, Andwell Health Partners will be one of almost 400 participants building Dementia Care Programs (DCPs) across the country, working to increase care coordination and improve access to services and supports, including respite care, for people living with dementia and their caregivers.

“CMS is excited to partner with Andwell Health Partners under the GUIDE Model,” said CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure. “GUIDE is a new approach to how Medicare will pay for the care of people living with dementia. The GUIDE participants are envisioning new ways to support not only people living with dementia, but also to reduce strain on the people who care for them, so that more Americans can remain in their homes and communities, rather than in institutions.”

Launched on July 1, 2024, the GUIDE Model will test a new payment approach for key supportive services furnished to people living with dementia, including: comprehensive, person-centered assessments and care plans; care coordination; 24/7 access to an interdisciplinary care team member or help line; and certain respite services to support caregivers. People with dementia and their caregivers will have the assistance and support of a Care Navigator to help them access clinical and non-clinical services such as meals and transportation through community-based organizations.

“Andwell Health Partners is excited to serve dementia patients and their caregivers across central, western, and southern Maine. GUIDE is a natural extension of Andwell Health Partner’s mission and our existing service offerings, providing care management to patients and their loved ones who are medically complex. The clinical expertise and compassion our clinicians provide to patients and their loved ones remain at the center of all Andwell does.”  shares Carol Weir, RN, MSN, MBA, Chief Clinical Officer and executive leader for the GUIDE program.  “Individuals with dementia and their caregivers can learn more by calling us at (207) 777-7740 or visiting www.andwell.org.”

Andwell Health Partners’ participation in the GUIDE Model will help people living with dementia and their caregivers have access to education and support, such as training programs on best practices for caring for a loved one living with dementia. The GUIDE Model also provides respite services for certain people, enabling caregivers to take temporary breaks from their caregiving responsibilities. Respite is being tested under the GUIDE Model to assess its effect on helping caregivers continue to care for their loved ones at home, preventing or delaying the need for facility care.

GUIDE Participants represent a wide range of health care providers, including large academic medical centers, small group practices, community-based organizations, health systems, hospice agencies, and other practices.

This model delivers on a promise in the Biden Administration’s Executive Order on Increasing Access to High-Quality Care and Supporting Caregivers and aligns with the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease. For more information on CMS’ GUIDE Model, please visit: https://www.cms.gov/priorities/innovation/innovation-models/guide.