LEWISTON, ME (July 14, 2023) — The Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial, Indigenous, and Tribal Populations (“Permanent Commission”) will host a community listening session at Agora Grand Event Center in Lewiston on Sunday, July 23 at noon. Lunch will be served and childcare will be provided on site.

The community listening session is an opportunity for the Permanent Commission to hear directly from racial, Indigenous, and tribal populations about their lived experiences related to disparities caused by structural racism in Maine. The event is part of a series that will contribute to the Permanent Commission’s goal to build the capacity of overburdened communities to identify issues that affect their communities and participate in, influence, and take on leadership roles in related decision-making processes. 

“Community listening sessions are a way to hold space for the people most impacted by racial disparities and to give voice to their own lived experiences,” said Angela Okafor, Community Engagement Director for the Permanent Commission. “Hearing directly from communities is vital to the effort to dismantle structural racism so nothing stands in the way of a good life – the way it should be – for all those who call Maine home.” 

WHAT: Community Listening Session

WHEN: Sunday, July 23, 2023, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

WHERE: Agora Grand Event Center, 220 Bates St, Lewiston, ME 04240. Parking is available at Community Concepts.

The Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial, Indigenous, and Tribal Populations was established in 2019, with the enactment of LD 777 and began its work in late 2021, after receiving its first funding with the enactment of LD 1034.  The Permanent Commission has a mission to examine racial disparities across all systems with a goal of improving the status and outcomes for the historically disadvantaged racial, Indigenous, and tribal populations in the state. The Permanent Commission is empowered to advise all three branches of Maine government and to introduce legislation. More information about the Permanent Commission’s work can be found on its website: https://www.pcritp.me/

Lewiston, ME (July 10, 2023) — Safe Voices will hold its annual 5K/10K Race for Survivors on Saturday, August 5. The race will once again be held at Bates College and runners and walkers will raise money for Safe Voices work as well as awareness about the issues of domestic abuse and sex trafficking in Maine.

Participants can register as a runner, walker, or wheelchair user for either the 5K or 10K distances, and once registered, participants can raise money by collecting pledge donations for their walk/run/wheel efforts.

Safe Voices has a 2023 goal of raising $26,000, and all money raised will fund vital services to survivors of domestic abuse and violence, sex trafficking, and sexual exploitation in Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford Counties.

This is a family-friendly event, and this year’s activities will include prizes and raffles, a kids Fun Run, face painting and lawn games after the race, and refreshments including ice cream from Cool Treats for Charity. Strollers and well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome!

Safe Voices would like to thank annual sponsors Pediatric Associates, Franklin Savings Bank, Maine Source Realty, Dirigo Federal Credit Union, The Computer Place, and Brann & Isaacson, as well as event sponsors Bedard Pharmacy, Oxford Federal Credit Union, University Credit Union, Pat’s Pizza, Champoux Insurance Group, and the Law Offices of Aubrey Russell.

We are grateful our host Bates College. Race sponsorship opportunities are still available! If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, or if you have questions about the race, please contact Emily Mitchell, development operations coordinator, at 207-795-6744 ex. 222 or emitchell@safevoices.org. Race registration is open until race day! Please visit bit.ly/SV_2023race to register.

LEWISTON, ME (July 7, 2023) — Central Maine Medical Center (CMMC) recently welcomed the latest members of its Family Medicine Residency class.

 The seven physicians will work at Central Maine Healthcare locations for the next few years as doctors in training and graduate in 2026. 

Central Maine Family Medicine Residency provides comprehensive primary care services for patients of all ages. They also provide prenatal and obstetrical care and hospital care for adults, children and newborns. Care is delivered by a team of professionals that includes experienced family physicians, Family Medicine residents, nurse practitioners, psychologists, social workers, nurses and other clinical staff. This practice also offers osteopathic manipulation, a dermatology clinic, weekly procedure clinics, integrative medicine and a women’s health clinic. Group medical appointments are offered for diabetes, chronic pain and suboxone. Walk-in hours are available.

 Among the first orders of business for the residents was donning their white coats as they began their work of treating patients. 

We are so excited to welcome the Family Medicine Residency class of 2026!” said Bethany Picker, MD, medical residency director.  They are seven new physicians who come from all over the country and are eager to serve our community. Please welcome them when you see them!”

Back left to right:

Alexander Babaoghli, DO, Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University

Sarang Kumar, MD, Ross University School of Medicine

Front left to right:

Dillon Lawler, DO, Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine

Robyn Rowell, DO, Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York

Yukino Strong, MD, Medical College of Wisconsin

Amy Stedman, MD, University of Vermont Rober Larner College of Medicine

Ramneek Gill, MD, St. George’s University School of Medicine

LEWISTON, ME (July 7, 2023)–The Franco Center is thrilled to announce that Greg Boardman and Chris Robley will perform as a duo in concert at 1 p.m. Friday, July 14, during the Center’s open house. The duo’s combined talents include playing the fiddle and guitar, singing, songwriting, and audience engagement.   

Greg Boardman is a longtime fiddler and teacher in the Lewiston and Auburn, Maine community, having been employed as an elementary strings teacher in Lewiston for several decades.  He also teaches at Maine Fiddle Camp, which he helped found in 1994, and plays as a concert, dance and church musician as much as reasonably fits in his schedule.  His love of Franco American fiddling was nurtured by his fiddling elders, such as Simon St. Pierre, Ray Frechette, Lucien Mathieu and Ben Guillemette, each a legend in their own right.  

Chris Robley is a singer-songwriter and award-winning poet who’s made his home in the mill town of Lewiston, Maine. His orchestral indie-pop and folk music has been reviewed and praised by The LA Times, The Boston Globe, NPR’s Second Stage, Performer, and other publications. Skyscraper Magazine said Robley is “one of the best short-story musicians to come along in quite some time.” Robley’s poetry has been published in POETRY Magazine, Prairie Schooner, Poetry Northwest, Beloit Poetry, and more. He is the winner of Boulevard’s Poetry Prize for Emerging Writers, a recipient of a Maine Literary Award in poetry, and was selected by Robert Pinsky as a finalist for the Dorset Prize. “Chris Robley is at the top of his game with his new work.” – KCRW. “Beatlesy goodness featuring deft wordplay delivered through McCartneyish melodies with a Lennonesque rasp.” – Willamette Week.  

Admission to the 1 p.m. Friday, July 14 concert is free and takes place during the Franco Center’s two-day open house from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, July 14 and Saturday, July 15. Reservations are required for this concert. Fill out the RSVP form at https://forms.office.com/r/0DMsaGjHsc  

At 1 p.m. Saturday, July 15, Wicked Illustrations will bring a paint party to the Franco Center with seats available for 20 participants. The art created that day will feature sights along the Androscoggin River, with a nod to the RiverFest. Tickets and additional information for the paint party can be found at www.wickedillustrations.com. 

There will be other activities at the Franco Center over the two days of its open house including an art display by local artist Anita Poulin; basket making by the Women of the Somali Bantu Community; a performance by Tree Street Youth; a display by the 4H club students of Lewiston High School; tours of the building; and rental information. 

A cash bar will be available on both days. The open house coincides with the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber’s RiverFest in Simard-Payne Park. The Franco Center’s venue is at 46 Cedar Street, Lewiston, a short half-mile, seven-minute walk from the Park. “Visitors are encouraged to spend the day in the Riverfront neighborhood attending events at both venues,” said Denise Scammon, marketing director at the Franco Center. “This is an opportunity for all those who wonder what we do at the Franco Center, or just want to see what the building looks like inside, to visit us.”

 For more information about the concert or open house, call 207-689-2000 or visit www.francocenter.org.  

The open house is sponsored by Auburn Savings; Lisa Laliberte, State Farm Insurance; Maine Community Bank; and Rinck. 

Chris Robley and Greg Boardman are pairing up for a concert at 1 p.m. Friday, July 14, at the Franco Center, 46 Cedar Street, Lewiston. The duo will perform on fiddle and guitar with some singing and foot-tapping music. RSVP at https://forms.office.com/r/0DMsaGjHsc 

Submitted photo. 

LEWISTON, ME (July 7, 2023) — Visit the two-day Riverfest at beautiful Simard-Payne Park in Lewiston, Maine! Rowing, food trucks, music, craft beers, local artisans, activities for the kids, and plenty of room to enjoy the great outdoors! For more information, check out https://lewistonrowing.com/riverfest-regatta

Schedule of Activities

Friday, July 14^th (all activities in Simard-Payne Park)

9 AM – 3 PM  Uplift LA Kickball Tournament

10 AM – 5 PM  Franco Center Open House

11 AM – 7 PM  Food Truck Festival

11 AM – 6 PM  Shop Local Market

11 AM – 8 PM  Beer Garden

11 AM – Dusk  Canoe Rentals

Noon – 6 PM Regatta Competitor Registration & Parking

4 PM – 9 PM  Live Music

Saturday, July 15th

8 AM – 12 PM  RiverFest Regatta Races, Simard-Payne

10 AM – 5 PM  Franco Center Open House

12 PM – 3 PM  Waterfront Activities

8 AM – 3 PM  Shop Local Market

11 AM – 3 PM  Food Trucks, Simard-Payne

11 AM – 3 PM  Beer Garden

12 PM – Dusk  Canoe Rentals

1 PM – 2 PM  Community Floatilla

1500-Meter Stake Race Course

LEWISTON, ME (July 7, 2023) — The Woman’s Hospital Association (WHA) Rotating Art Gallery at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston is proud to display the paintings of Sandra Pealer and Michael Everett during the month of July.

Pealer, who delights in the medium of watercolor, and loves the way that watercolor depicts light, shadow and mystery, paints from her studio in South Paris. She has painted from home studios in Maine, Vermont, Lake Placid, New York, and West Virginia for over 30 years. Sandra has earned signature status in the Philadelphia, West Virginia, North East and Vermont Watercolor Societies.

A sustaining member of the American and National Watercolor Societies, her work can be found in collections throughout the United States and Canada. Featured in Watercolor Artist Magazine as “One of the Best Watermedia Paintings of 2020, her painting “Artist at Rest” was showcased in the February 2021 issue.

Her paintings may be seen at Birds of a Feather Gallery in Rangeley, Maine, River Arts Gallery, Damariscotta, Maine and Main Street Gallery, Norway, Maine among other venues.

Everett took up oil painting to capture his impressions of remote and wild places of northern Maine. Many of his paintings are scenes from the Allagash and Saint John Rivers. As his interest and skill have progressed, he has become more intrigued with the simple enjoyment of painting, especially in seeking vitality in his use of color. He paints (mostly) landscapes of (mostly) familiar places, and often can be found painting outdoors in his North Auburn neighborhood.

He a member of the Western Maine Art Group and a frequent exhibitor at its Matolcsy Art Center in Norway. He also maintains a website – michaeleverett-artist.com – where he displays his work and occasionally blogs about art.

The works on display may be purchased through the WHA Gift Shop located adjacent to the main lobby at Central Maine Medical Center. A percentage of sale proceeds benefits patients of CMMC.

“Winter Morning” by Michael Everett

“Lupines” by Sandra Pealer

AUGUSTA, ME (June 30, 2023) — On Thursday, June 22, Gov. Janet Mills signed into law a bill from Sen. Peggy Rotundo, D-Lewiston, into law. LD 1473, “An Act to Protect Certain Unfiltered Drinking Water Sources,” will help protect Lake Auburn from high density development that could jeopardize water quality.

 “This law will help protect Lake Auburn, a highly sensitive ecological system, from development, and study how to protect similar watersheds,” said Sen. Rotundo. “This is an enormous relief for the people who get their drinking water from Lake Auburn. I strongly believe we can develop much-needed affordable housing in the Lewiston/Auburn area while protecting our valuable natural resources.”

 As amended, LD 1473 will create protections for Lake Auburn by exempting it from the additional development allowances granted through legislation passed in the 130th Legislature to promote affordable housing. This high-density development could jeopardize water quality as well as Lake Auburn’s federal Environmental Protection Agency filtration waiver and the water rate savings that come with having the waiver. The bill also mandates a report, due to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources on January 15, 2024, to study state laws designed to protect watersheds that are used to provide drinking water and identify ways to strengthen those laws.

 Of the 40 bodies of water in the United States with federal filtration waivers, ten are in Maine. In addition to Lake Auburn, they are: Sebago Lake, Sebago Lake-East, Eagle Lake, Floods Pond, Hatcase Pond, Little Pond, Lower Hadlock Pond, ]ordan Pond, and Aroostook River/Arnold Lake Brook. 

The bill will go into effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns sine die.

LEWISTON, ME (June 30, 2023) — Androscoggin Home Healthcare & Hospice is pleased to announce the appointment of Carol Weir, RN, MSN, MBA, as its new Chief Clinical Officer. Following an extensive national search, Carol began her tenure at Androscoggin on June 26.

The selection committee, comprised of over forty individuals, was highly impressed by Carol’s qualifications and her alignment with Androscoggin’s values.

Ken Albert, President & Chief Executive Officer of Androscoggin, expressed his excitement about Carol joining the organization, stating, “Carol is an experienced health care executive whose heart has never left the patient’s home or bedside. She is known as a visionary leader who uses data and creative innovation to solve the challenges facing health care providers. I also find her to be a warm, respectful, and kind person with a great sense of humor: a winning combination.”

LEWISTON, ME (June 30, 2023) — Central Maine Healthcare (CMH) recently celebrated its one thousandth procedure using the da Vinci surgical robot.

The da Vinci is a state-of-the-art surgical robot used in minimally invasive procedures, such as gynecological and inflammatory bowel syndrome operations, as well as in weight loss surgery. It includes an advanced set of instruments and a 3D, high-definition view of the surgical area.

Investing in the da Vinci is one of many steps CMH has taken to ensure patients have access to the latest technology that reduces the chance of post-surgical complications and allows for faster recovery. 

“The entire surgical team here at CMH and I are very proud to have reached this milestone,” said Crystal Alvarez, DO, medical director of Central Maine Bariatrics. 

“Having the da Vinci robot has been a game-changer for doctors here, but more importantly for our patients, because it enables us to provide a consistent level of surgical skill. It’s all part of our commitment to exceptional healthcare for our community.”

 Christopher Foote, MD, with members of the Central Maine Healthcare surgical team

LEWISTON, ME (June 30, 2023) —The popular summer concert series at the Basilica of Ss. Peter & Paul, located on 122 Ash Street in Lewiston returns on Wednesdays with concerts being held through August 16 from 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. The performances are free and open to the public, but donations to help with the preservation of the historic Casavant organ, celebrating its 85th birthday, will be gratefully accepted. Here is the schedule, including several evening concerts. 

Afternoon Concerts

July 5 Mark Thallander and Scott Vaillancourt

Vaillancourt is director of music at the Basilica of Saints Peter & Paul. Thallander is a teacher, arranger, composer, author, and freelance organist. He is also the president of the president of the National Children’s Chorus. He has produced numerous recordings and many of his organ and choral arrangements have been published by the Fred Bock Music Company.

July 12 Cameron Cody

Cameron “Cam” Cody is an internationally recognized concert artist, conductor, and organist. A native of Warner Robins, Georgia, Cam began piano studies at the age of 3. Cameron currently serves as Director of Music and Principal Organist at Chapelwood United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas. Cam has a large online social media following where he frequently performs for thousands of music lovers worldwide keeping the great hymns of the church alive. 

July 19 Hayden Vaughn

Hayden is currently an undergraduate student at Drury University in Springfield, Missouri, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in music (organ primary). At Drury University, he also acts as the primary organist for Drury Stone Chapel. He is a section leader, student conductor, and student accompanist in Drury’s Choral Studies program.

Hayden has been providing church music since he was 12 years old and has served as a musician in Baptist, Catholic, Disciples of Christ, Episcopal, United Church of Christ, and United Methodist churches, along with several other churches of varying or no affiliation.

July 26 Harold Stover

Stover is a graduate of the Juilliard School in New York, and a charter member of the faculty of the Portland Conservatory of Music. His recital career spans more than 50 years and includes performances on most major New York recital series and at Westminster Abbey in London, the National Cathedral in Washington, Harvard and Princeton universities, and many other distinguished venues. He has been featured as performer, composer, and lecturer at regional and national conventions of the American Guild of Organists. 

August 2 Ray Cornils

Cornils was the municipal organist for the City of Portland from 1990 to 2017. He has performed throughout the U.S. and in Germany, France, Spain, Russia, New Zealand and Ecuador. He has been a featured recitalist for conventions of the American Guild of Organists and the Organ Historical Society. In addition to his solo work, he performs regularly with the Portland Symphony Orchestra.  

August 9 Hentus van Rooyen

Hentus van Rooyen is Assistant Professor of Music, Sacred Music Coordinator and College Organist at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas. In 2012, he was awarded the Scholarship for Overseas Study from the Southern-African Church Organists Association (SAKOV) and received a generous scholarship from the Oppenheimer Memorial Trust, which enabled him to begin his studies at the University of North Texas in September of that year. He served as an organist at Christ the King Catholic Church in Dallas. 

August 16 Randall Mullin

Mullin is a freelance musician who accompanies the choir of the Cathedral of St. Luke in Portland. He was also a featured performer with ChoralArt for “Grand Opera meets the Mighty Kotzschmar” in 2016 and for the Maurice Duruflé “Requiem” in 2019. He has played throughout the country with more recent recitals at Trinity Church in Boston, Methuen Memorial Music Hall in Methuen, Massachusetts, and Grace Cathedral in San Francisco.  

Evening Concerts *Begin at 7:30 p.m.*

 Friday, July 21 Mary-Katherine Fletcher

Mary-Katherine Fletcher is the director of music and organist at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Acushnet, Massachusetts, and serves as treasurer for the Southeastern Massachusetts chapter of the American Guild of Organists. A recent graduate, she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in music from Bridgewater State University. She will be pursuing a master’s degree in sacred music from Boston University, where she was awarded a Dean’s Fellowship. 

Wednesday, September 6 Deux Voix – organist Stephen Distad and trumpeter Justin Langham

Distad is a nationally recognized organist and church musician living in Houston, Texas, who has served as Minister of Music at First Baptist Church in Charleston, South Carolina, Director of Music at Christ United Methodist Church in Rochester, Minnesota, and Organist at First United Methodist Church in Shreveport, Louisiana. Stephen has performed in numerous notable and historical locations such as St. Thomas Episcopal in New York, St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin, and Notre Dame in Paris. Justin Langham is a performer, composer, conductor, and teacher based in Houston, Texas. Langham earned a double bachelor’s degree in trumpet performance and composition from the University of Alabama, before moving to Houston in 2013 where he earned both his master’s in trumpet performance and doctorate in trumpet performance and conducting from the University of Houston. Dr. Langham is also an award-winning composer, whose music has been commissioned and performed across the United States and beyond in countries such as Italy, Japan, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway.  

Friday, September 29 Daniel Brondel

Noted by The New York Times for playing the organ with flair, French-born musician Daniel Brondel is the Associate Director of Music at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York, where he plays Masses each week that are streamed on the Internet and broadcast live on SiriusXM Satellite Radio. He is also the Associate Director of the Cathedral Choir, and he manages the organ recital series. He recently accompanied the Sistine Chapel Choir during their visit to Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, and he has collaborated with famous opera stars, including Renée Fleming, Angela Gheorghiu, Michael Fabiano, Isabel Leonard, Matthew Polenzani, Susan Graham, James Valenti, Danielle de Niece, and Joyce DiDonato. Brondel won the First Prize at the 1996 Arthur Poister Competition. A native of southern France, Mr. Brondel has lived in the United States since 1988.