Archive for August 2014
Community Dinner celebrates Lots to Gardens
Over 100 people attended the annual Community Dinner at St. Mary’s Nutrition Center in Lewiston recently to celebrate the hard work and learning that was accomplished this year through the Center’s Lots to Gardens program. On hand were the program’s Youth Gardeners and their families; some of the 115 families who garden in the program’s community garden plots in downtown Lewiston and at the Meadowview and Hillview housing complexes; and others who participated in or supported the program over the year.
Rockingham Electric opens Lewiston store
Rockingham Electric recently celebrated the grand opening of its new store at 170 Summer Street in Lewiston with a Contractor Open House.
“We have been serving the Lewiston community for quite some time, so it made sense to bring a full-time staff to the area,” said Rockingham Electric President Jim Pender. “We look forward to being a strong community partner and continuing to build on our green technologies and solutions.”
The Lewiston location is led by store managers Steve Letourneau and Guy Langelier. Letourneau has worked for Rockingham Electric for two years, serving most recently as store manager in Augusta. Both have worked in the electric industry in the Lewiston area for more than two decades.
MCHP names new president
Richard E. Farmer of Yarmouth has been named president of the Maine College of Health Professions (MCHP). Farmer has some 40 years of experience as an educator, having served in roles ranging from teacher to executive leadership. Prior to beginning his work at MCHP in Lewiston, he was president of Sanford-Brown College, an allied health educational institution in Boston.
Hartt Transportation breaks ground on $6.5 million truck terminal project
One of the state’s leading over-the-road transportation companies recently broke ground on a $6.5 million state-of-the-art terminal facility in Auburn. Located in Kitty Hawk Business Park, the project will also include public roadway construction of a First Flight Drive extension near Exit 75 of the Maine Turnpike.
Hartt Transportation’s new $5.3 million terminal will consist of a 30,000-square-foot office and maintenance facility with an automated public commercial truck wash. The company is also committed to funding $1.2 million in new road construction.
Hartt will sell off the four adjacent lots with visual exposure to Interstate 95, creating a transportation-related cluster development that could include office, transportation or light manufacturing uses. The park will offer a high-speed fiber optic network, underground utilities, and tastefully lit streets.
“Unique Maine Farms” project features local connections
With stories and photos of Lewiston refugee farmers, the gardens of St. Mary’s Nutrition Center, and many farms in Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford counties, a new project called “Unique Maine Farms” is poised to showcase the vibrant local food movement gaining momentum in south-central Maine and across the state.
A volunteer effort by Maine-certified English and social studies teacher Mary Quinn Doyle, the project is capped by a 296-page book highlighting the diversity and innovation of current farming enterprises in Maine, the state that leads New England in its number of working farms.
StreetLeaders key to summer youth program
Twenty-eight local high school youth now hold jobs as StreetLeaders for summer programming at Lewiston’s Tree Street Youth. Together, they provide mentoring and support for over 150 youths in grades K-12 as they participate in innovative sports, arts, and academic activities for six weeks over the summer.
Swingin’ Bears host 50th Anniv. Dance
The big 50th Anniversary Celebration Dance of the Swingin’ Bears Square Dance Club will take place on Saturday, August 23 from 7 to 10 p.m. in the air conditioned cafeteria of Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School in South Paris. Nationally known caller Tim Marriner of Rock Hill, SC will call the square dancing and locally acclaimed cuer Carol Arsenault of Maine will cue the round dancing. Club Caller Ray Hilton will serve as the Master of Ceremonies for the event, which will also feature door prizes and refreshments.
Advance tickets are $10 per person and may be purchased from Ellen Janerico at (603) 303-6860 or sqdancer725@myfairpoint.net. Tickets may also be purchased at the door for $12.
Model Railroad Club presents Train Fest
The Great Falls Model Railroad Club will celebrate the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival this weekend with its fourth annual Train Fest, a two-day, family fun event in the Railroad Club building at 144 Mill Street in Auburn.
The two-story, wheelchair accessible building, across the street from the Barker Mill, will be decorated with model hot-air balloons, some of which will float temporarily in the blue skies of the Club’s four permanent model train layouts. Railroad enthusiasts of all ages will enjoy seeing these layouts in operation with new scenery details for this event.