Fontaine Family – The Real Estate Leader is thrilled to announce Hannah Clark as the newest addition to their growing Auburn team. As a seasoned associate broker in the real estate industry, Hannah is making waves in the Maine real estate market with her passion for helping clients find their dream homes. Born and raised in the picturesque town of New Gloucester, ME, Hannah’s journey is characterized by hard work, dedication, and a commitment to community.

Hannah’s roots in Southern Maine run deep, having graduated from Grey-New Gloucester High School before furthering her education at Central Maine Community College (CMCC), where she earned her Associate’s Degree. Her diverse professional background includes valuable experience at a marina in Freeport and a real estate investment firm, shaping her into the well-rounded and knowledgeable real estate professional she is today.

Beyond the world of real estate, Hannah finds joy in various hobbies and activities. An avid gardener, she cultivates her passion for plants and nature, creating vibrant and welcoming spaces. At home, Hannah is a loving owner to three dogs and two horses, adding a touch of animal companionship to her life.

In her spare time, Hannah dedicates herself to the family farm, Royal River Orchard, in New Gloucester. Her hands-on involvement showcases her commitment to preserving local agriculture and maintaining a strong connection to her community.

What sets Hannah apart is not only her professional expertise but also her compassionate heart. In honor of her son, Jackson, Hannah is an active member of the MPS Society and the Cure Sanfilippo Foundation. By participating in these organizations, she advocates for awareness, research, and support for those affected by Sanfilippo Syndrome, demonstrating her dedication to making a positive impact beyond the realm of real estate.

Hannah’s multifaceted background and community engagement make her a standout professional in the Maine real estate landscape. Whether you’re buying or selling, Hannah Clark is the trusted partner you need for a seamless and fulfilling real estate experience, with the support of the Fontaine Team. Contact Hannah today at hannahclark@fontaineteam.com or (207) 713-4496.

 WATERVILLE, ME — Day’s Jewelers, a trusted name in the world of fine jewelry, is proud to announce the launch of their brand-new website, designed to transform the way their customers shop for jewelry online. With an elegant and user-friendly interface, enhanced features, and an extensive range of stunning jewelry collections, the new website promises to be a one-stop destination for Day’s Jewelers customers, both new and established.

The redesigned website, accessible at www.daysjewelers.com, offers an immersive and personalized shopping journey, reflecting Day’s Jewelers’ commitment to excellence in both jewelry craftsmanship and customer service.

Key features of the new Day’s Jewelers website include:

Contemporary and Intuitive Design: The website showcases a modern, clean design that seamlessly blends aesthetics with user-friendliness, ensuring a hassle-free shopping experience for visitors.

Enhanced Search and Filtering Capabilities: Shoppers can effortlessly discover their perfect piece of jewelry by utilizing an array of search filters, including type, metal, gemstone, price range, and more.

Product Location: Customers now have the convenience of tracking the physical location of an item within Day’s Jeweler’s eight stores.

Secure and Convenient Shopping: The website offers a secure and seamless shopping experience, complete with various payment options- including financing- to provide peace of mind to customers.

A Glimpse into the Future: Day’s Jewelers tantalizes customers with a promise of even more exciting features and enhancements to be unveiled in 2024.

Joe Corey, President of Day’s Jewelers, expresses his enthusiasm stating, “we are delighted to introduce our state-of-the-art website. Our primary goal with this new website is to continuously enhance the guest experience by incorporating the latest features and technology. It’s a momentous time for our company as we launch this robust website that will support our growth and build upon our 109-year-old legacy.”

Day’s Jewelers has been serving customers with an exquisite range of fine jewelry, engagement rings, and impeccable service since its inception in 1914. The new website is a testament to their mission to build a company that stands the test of time through their commitment of creating unforgettable moments with uniquely crafted jewelry.

Embark on a journey by visiting the new Day’s Jewelers website at www.daysjewelers.com and discover a world of timeless elegance and meaningful jewelry.

WATERVILLE, ME —The Waterville Opera House (WOH) is delighted to announce its 2024 theatrical season. Two amazing musicals and two entertaining plays will reignite the stage of the historic 121-year-old theatre in downtown Waterville.

“I’m excited to bring this amazing selection of theatrical productions to life for our community. From laugh-a-minute comedy, suspense filled mystery, to full-on musical spectacle, there truly is something for everyone to enjoy! Our 2023 season offerings resulted in record-breaking attendance, with over 40% of ticket purchasers being first-time visitors to the Waterville Opera House. Our reputation for top-notch storytelling has created a more robust audience base for our outstanding community theatre performers to dazzle with their talents. I hope to tempt our theatre patrons back to the Waterville Opera House in record numbers by offering a 2024 Season Pass to catch all four of these crowd-pleasing offerings at a 20% discount,” states WOH Executive Director, Michelle Sweet.

Opening the 2024 season is Drinking Habits (Feb 2–11). Accusations, mistaken identities, and romances run wild in this traditional, laugh-out-loud farce. Two nuns at the Sisters of Perpetual Sewing have been secretly making wine to keep the convent’s doors open, but Paul and Sally, reporters and former fiancées, are hot on their trail. They go undercover as a nun and priest, but their presence, combined with the addition of a new nun, spurs paranoia throughout the convent that spies have been sent from Rome to shut them down.

Just in time for spring is Head Over Heels (April 26–May 5). A jukebox musical comedy, Head Over Heels fuses together the world of Shakespeare with the iconic music of The Go-Go’s! It follows the escapades of a royal family who set out on a journey to save their beloved kingdom from extinction. A modern-day fairy tale, this musical is a romantic, gender-bending, hilarious good time.

Next, we revisit a popular mystery with Miss Holmes Returns. The sequel to 2020’s Miss Holmes, this stand-alone story finds Miss Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Dorothy Watson back on the case! After a string of successes assisting Scotland Yard, a seemingly clear-cut murder case finds itself at the detectives’ feet. The powers that be are certain the murderer was a young woman of immigrant heritage, but Holmes and Watson aren’t as sure. Can they find the truth before the authorities catch and convict their suspect?

Finally, ringing in the holiday season, we’ll have The SpongeBob Musical (November 22–December 1). When the citizens of Bikini Bottom discover that a volcano will soon erupt and destroy their humble home, SpongeBob and his friends must come together to save the fate of their undersea world. With lives hanging in the balance and all hope lost, a most unexpected hero rises, proving that the power of optimism really can save the world!

Tickets for all four shows will go on sale to Waterville Creates members on Monday, October 23 and to the general public on Monday, October 30. Season Passes are available, giving a 20% discount when purchasing tickets for all four shows.

For more information, visit operahouse.org or call 207-873-7000.

LEWISTON, ME — The Lewiston Public Library will host a Tarot 101 Workshop on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, from 5 to 6:30 pm in The Jeanne Couture Room. The Tarot 101 Workshop will feature the return of Kate Sheridan, a.k.a The Laundress. This workshop is free and open to both teens and adults. Registration is required and the link to sign up can be found on the Lewiston Public Library’s website under events.

This event is for anyone who wants to learn more about tarot cards, using the classic Smith-Rider-Waite deck as a guide. The program will cover basic tarot theory, a brief history of tarot cards, and an introduction to all 78 cards and how they work together. The goal is to demystify the tarot to empower you to use the cards. Throughout the evening, you’ll be invited to consider card images using both the information from the workshop and your own intuition. At the end of the evening, you’ll be shown how to conduct a reading for yourself or others, and you’ll leave with practical next steps to do at home.

While some of the workshop material will certainly apply to Oracle cards, please note that this workshop is focused on the traditional 78-card tarot. Please bring your own 78-card deck and something to take notes with you to the program. Only a few tarot decks will be available to borrow for the program.

Kate Sheridan, a.k.a. The Laundress, is a tarot reader and astrologer who believes that fortunes are created rather than told. Her style is down-to-earth and conversational, and she draws heavily on her previous life as a high school English teacher to ensure that her clients understand the logic behind the intuitive information she provides. After she left teaching in 2019, she turned her longtime interest in Western Astrology into an intensive study. She has been playing with tarot cards for 20 years, studying them seriously for nearly 10, and reading professionally since 2019.

The Lewiston Public Library is located downtown at 200 Lisbon Street at the corner of Pine Street and Lisbon Street. More information on Tuesday’s program is available by contacting the Lewiston Public Library at 513-3135 or LPLReference@lewistonmaine.gov.

LEWISTON, ME – The Greater Androscoggin Humane Society announces the winners of their “Cold Paws, Warm Heart” Annual Raffle. With over $12,000 in ticket sales the winners were: Erica Brown of Rumford winning $500 of home heating assistance and a handmade quilt, James and Mary Ingalls of Greene with $300 of home heating assistance, Dee Kelley of Lewiston with $200 of home heating assistance and Mike Twitchell of Turner with $100 of home heating assistance. All proceeds from the raffle directly benefit the Humane Society.

The Greater Androscoggin Humane Society provides a safe haven for over 3,000 sick, homeless and abused animals in the greater Androscoggin area per year. The primary support for the shelter comes from fundraising events and donations of concerned citizens.

The Greater Androscoggin Humane Society is located at 55 Strawberry Avenue in Lewiston. If you are interested in learning more about volunteering at the Shelter or adopting an animal call 783-2311 or visit the website at www.SavingPetsInMaine.org. You can also join them on www.facebook/GAHumane.

Guest column by Briana Hilton

LEWISTON, AUBURN, ME — Lewiston-Auburn has a relatively mature population in terms of age. As the Sun Journal highlights, planning for later life has become a key step for many residents, and the community as a whole has a responsibility to provide support and steps to care for this invaluable section of society. The city and its community have already taken significant strides towards this with the decision of the referendum at Lewiston High School creating specific room for adult and senior learning, and there are now spaces being outlined for the use of the entire community in the future. With that in mind, it’s worth considering what can make a community space a worthwhile area, starting with considering creativity.

 Introducing creativity 

A shared communal space needs to have a purpose – especially one that places a focus on that community and its adult citizens. That purpose can be communicated through its creative design, and this nod is especially important if the area is designed for creative uses. Consider, for instance, the use of sculptures, both metal and otherwise.

 As ArchDaily notes, sculptures shape urban areas. As well as acting as a focal point, they can reflect and present the values of the town and its people. Some of the most famous sculptures do exactly this. Take, for instance, Barbara Hepworth’s Summer Dance, which reflects the cultural and historical ties of its host towns of Cornwall to the ancient links of the region. Artwork should mean something. As it happens, the industrial and farming history of Lewiston-Auburn is a great basis for the use of metal sculptures. Twisted and sculpted metals can easily provide a fantastic icon which harks back to the golden era of the twin cities, and will be a focal artistic point for an area with real purpose. 

Making it utilitarian 

It’s important that any plans have an edge to them that will lend itself to the educational and vocational development of adults. Given, a public gallery and community space will already provide the community with some big benefits, ranging from the active space to be used through to the creativity such a space fosters. However, it must also be there for active use and cannot simply be something to look at.

 A simple way to manage this is through providing ample sitting space – both conventional (in the forms of benches and such) and improved (such as stone steps, plinths and fountains). This is another great area to get creative with. Dezeen highlights one sunken garden design used in Los Angeles, where shade can be taken from the sun and a distinctly green aspect given to any learning or other engagement. This is a great way to provide inspiration and make an area feel fully sheltered. 

Ensuring inclusivity 

Lewiston-Auburn is one of the most creatively dense places anywhere in the country, defined by the amount of public viewable artwork and creations in and around the city. You might not know this, however, if you have any form of motor disability; according to Bates University, the accessibility that enables everyone to view these works of art is simply not there. It is imperative that any new developments put accessibility first. 

There are simple principles to adhere to in ensuring that public spaces are accessible. These are providing wheelchair ramps; ensuring pathways are wide enough for the use of mobility aids; and making sure that pathways are level. Despite this, it can be quite easy to get this wrong. Using US federal and UN guidelines is important, as these will provide the proper widths and requirements for mobility aids and safety measures. This won’t just aid people with mobility impairments, either, as those hard of hearing or sight will stand to benefit from inclusive spaces.

 Pulling all of this together will ensure that any new public space is fit for the needs of older generations. They have a right to access education and learning, too, but these spaces are not always constructed in a way that’s perfect for them. The design of these spaces needs to be carefully managed, of course, but that’s entirely achievable while still creating a relaxing and creative area.

AUBURN, ME – Inc. revealed that Bedard Medical is ranked No. 4283, in its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in America. The prestigious ranking provides a data-driven look at the most successful companies within the economy’s most dynamic segment — its independent, entrepreneurial businesses. Facebook, Chobani, Under Armour, Microsoft, Patagonia, and many other household name brands gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.

“Being on the Inc. 5000 list two years in a row underscores the dedication of our team. In the dynamic world of healthcare, their passion and commitment have been unwavering. Their efforts not only drive our growth but, more importantly, impact countless lives every day. We move forward, inspired by their dedication and driven by our shared mission to care for the communities we serve.” – Ben Nadeau, CEO of Bedard Medical.

The Inc. 5000 class of 2023 represents companies that have driven rapid revenue growth while navigating inflationary pressure, the rising costs of capital, and seemingly intractable hiring challenges. Among this year’s top 500 companies, the average median three-year revenue growth rate ticked up to an astonishing 2,238 percent. In all, this year’s Inc. 5000 companies have added 1,187,266 jobs to the economy over the past three years.

For complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, location, and other criteria, go to www.inc.com/inc5000. The top 500 companies were featured in the September issue of Inc. magazine.

“Running a business has only gotten harder since the end of the pandemic,” says Inc. editor-in-chief Scott Omelianuk. “To make the Inc. 5000—with the fast growth that requires—is truly an accomplishment. Inc. is thrilled to honor the companies that are building our future.”

“Being included on the Inc. 5000 2 years in a row is a great achievement for the team here at Bedard. It shows how their hard work and dedication to helping those who come to us on their healthcare journey affects the company as a whole. I look forward to seeing what we can do together and how we can continue to innovate and improve within the healthcare industry,” said Anthony Burden, Director of Medical Supplies.  

LEWISTON — The Lewiston Public Library will host a Disney-themed trivia night on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, from 4:30 to 5:30pm in Callahan Hall. Teams can consist of one to five people. This program is free and open to the public.

Do you find yourself singing Disney songs or quoting movie lines to friends? Then this program is for you! Come with a few friends to test your Disney knowledge. The top three teams will earn prizes. Preregistration is encouraged but not required. To preregister your team please visit The Lewiston Public Library’s website’s event page.

The Lewiston Public Library is located downtown at 200 Lisbon Street at the corner of Pine Street and Lisbon Street. More information on Tuesday’s program is available by contacting the Lewiston Public Library at 513-3135 or LPLReference@lewistonmaine.gov.

BOSTON, MA — Kenny Moore of Lewiston, Maine is the Youth Bowling League President at Just-In-Time Recreation in Lewiston, where he teaches young kids how to bowl. On the evening of October 25th, Moore was leading practice with 15 of his youth bowlers when he heard a loud noise. He looked around the bowling alley and saw the gunman. He told his group to run toward the exits; half of his group followed his orders, while half froze in fear. Moore ran back inside to get the rest of his students outside to safety.

 For his courageous actions in Lewiston, Moore was honored as a Hero Among Us during the Boston Celtics home game against the New York Knicks on December 8, 2023.

 Since its establishment in 1997 by the Boston Celtics, the Heroes Among Us program has recognized outstanding individuals who have made exceptional and lasting contributions to their communities. The award is presented at every Celtics home game and pays tribute to the heroic achievements of these outstanding citizens.

Lewiston, Maine resident Kenny Moore was honored as a Hero Among Us at the Boston Celtics home game against the New York Knicks on December 8, 2023, for his courageous actions during the recent mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine. 

LEWISTON, ME – Prepare for a thrilling clash between New England’s courageous first responders as they battle it out on Fri., Jan. 19, 2024. The Battle of the Badges brings together the finest members of the Lewiston Police Department as they face off against the bravest members of Boston Fire from the City of Boston Fire Department at The Colisée, 190 Birch St., Lewiston, all for a great cause.

This isn’t just any game; it’s a passionate drive to uplift and support the families impacted by the tragic Oct. 25 mass shooting in Lewiston. Your attendance means making a difference as all proceeds from this event will directly benefit the victims’ families, aiding them in time of need.

Event Details:

WHAT:      Battle of the Badges

WHO:       Lewiston Police Department vs Boston Fire

WHEN:     Friday, January 19, 2024 – puck drops at 7 PM

WHERE: The Colisée, 190 Birch St., Lewiston

COST:      Free, or your generous donation as admission

The excitement doesn’t stop with the game! Get ready for thrilling activities: participate in the chuck-a-puck, get your one-of-a-kind commemorative tee-shirt, grab your chance at the 50/50 raffle, and explore an array of awesome raffle items available for purchase.

Let’s rally together, show our support, and stand strong with those affected by the tragic events of Oct. 25. Visit the LPD Facebook page for more information and updates. Mark your calendars and be part of an evening that unites the community in support, honor, and unity. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of something truly impactful.