This week’s edition!
Events
Judith Ivey directs Public Theatre’s “Ladies Foursome”
Ivey has won Tony and Drama Desk Awards for her Broadway performances in “Steaming” and “Hurlyburly.”
The Public Theatre will have audiences forgetting those winter blues when it presents the New England premiere of the smart and sassy play “The Ladies Foursome” January 22 through 31. Written by Canada’s most produced playwright, Norm Foster, this fast-paced comedy juxtaposes belly laughs and touching moments to appeal to anyone who appreciates the joys and sorrows of friendship.
Mechanics Savings Bank to award $17,000 in scholarships
Mechanics Savings Bank has announced that it will continue its long-standing tradition of offering Banking on the Future scholarships to local high school graduates pursuing their higher education goals. In 2016, a total of $17,000 will be awarded to graduates of participating high schools, including Edward Little, Lewiston, Gray-New Gloucester, Poland Regional, Brunswick, Mt. Ararat, Saint Dominic Academy, Leavitt, Lisbon, Oak Hill, and Windham.
Students are selected by their high school guidance department based upon their accomplishments in and out of the classroom. Candidates must demonstrate academic success, service to school, community and/or family, and involvement in extracurricular activities.
Agora Grand Event Center to host Dempsey Challenge event
The Champions for Hope celebration, a special event to honor top Dempsey Challenge fundraisers, will take place at the new event center, scheduled to open in May in the former St. Patrick’s Church of Lewiston.
The Dempsey Challenge has announced that its annual Champions for Hope celebration, a moving and special part of the annual Dempsey Challenge weekend, will take place for the first time this year in the all-new Agora Grand Event Center, scheduled to open in May in the former St. Patrick’s Church on Bates Street in Lewiston.
Woodlands opens Memory Care of Lewiston, Phase II
Maine-based Woodlands Senior Living is preparing to open Phase II of Woodlands Memory Care of Lewiston, the family-owned company’s 11th Senior Living Facility in Maine and its sixth purpose-built memory care community in the state. Phase I opened in October of 2015, when half of the 64-bed community became available for residents. With Phase I already at capacity, the 32 additional beds of Phase II will be a welcome opportunity for potential residents in need of memory care.
CNA grads complete state exam
Here on Aloha Day at Clover Manor with “Santa Bones” and course instructor Evawn Young, R.N., B.S.N. (r.) are MCHP Nursing Assistant course graduates (l. to r.) Jennifer Blais, Lindsay Monaghan, Bernadette Burks and Casey Trip.
Four recent graduates of the Maine College of Health Professions Nursing Assistant course have passed the Maine competency examination. Completing the training program were Jennifer Blais of Winthrop, Bernadette Burks of Saco, and Lindsay Monaghan and Casey Trip, both of Auburn.
MainStreet announces fourth quarter grants
Androscoggin Bank’s MainStreet Foundation has announced the recipients of its quarterly awards for the fourth quarter of 2015. Recognizing a need for at-risk kids in Maine to be safe, healthy, active, happy, educated and nourished, the MainStreet Foundation awards impact grants four times each year to organizations actively working to help kids thrive. The grants vary based upon the need and are awarded in amounts of up to $5,000. In November, a total of $12,500 was awarded to the following four nonprofit organizations.
Junior Achievement of Maine. $5,000 was awarded to this Portland-based organization focused on reaching and educating Maine school children about entrepreneurship, work readiness and financial literacy. The funds will allow JAME to bring Education, Career & Financial Skills programming to 160 Lewiston-Auburn third and fourth graders. The teachers and schools provide access to their classroom while businesses and professionals volunteer as presenters.
Viles Arboretum offers annual Table Tour
Food tables along the course allow participants to sample culinary delights from a variety of Capital City eateries.
Viles Arboretum in Augusta will present its popular annual Table Tour on Sunday, February 7. Last year, over three hundred participants gathered to snowshoe, ski or hike on the groomed trails while sampling culinary delights supplied by a variety of restaurants and food providers from the Capital City area.
After enjoying delicious fare from hearty chowder to fresh baked breads, no one leaves the event with an appetite, especially after ending with a dessert and a cup of freshly brewed coffee or other warm beverage. It’s a great way to get some fun outdoor activity before settling down to watch the big game. Trails will open at 11 a.m., trail foods will be served until 1 p.m., and desserts, coffee and hot beverages will be served at the main building, located at the end of the course, until 2 p.m.
Warden Service urges snowmobilers to ride responsibly
The Maine Warden Service and the Maine Snowmobile Association are reminding snowmobilers to operate their snowmobiles safely and responsibly this winter. The most common contributing factors associated with snowmobile incidents in Maine are operating too fast for conditions, driving beyond the effectiveness of headlights, driving beyond operator abilities, and operating on unfamiliar bodies of water. Also, they encourage operators to be especially aware of thin ice, trip preparation, and landowner relations.
Thin Ice: Be mindful of early season and mild weather hazards, specifically thin ice and open water, especially when operating on unfamiliar rivers, ponds, or lakes. Be sure to respect warning signs, especially near hydropower facilities.
Poland Spring employees spread holiday cheer
Delivering gifts to Poland Community School guidance counselor Lexie Triggiani and school nurse Louise Robinson were Poland Spring employees (in their Santa hats) Adam Keach, Keith Proteau, Clint Bivens, Shelly Pittman and Jessica Tanguay.
Employees from the Poland Spring bottling plant donned Santa hats and went out into the community recently to make two special holiday deliveries. Their first stop was at the Poland Community Church Food Bank, where they presented a check for $1,800 to Rose Frost, director of the Mannafed program, which provides backpacks of food to RSU 16 students to bring home on weekends and during school vacations. Their second visit was to Poland Community School, where they unloaded gifts of toys, books and clothing to benefit three local families in need.
Spaghetti Supper & Raffle for Shayna Newton
Shayna is battling Rasmussen encephalitis, a rare disorder of the central nervous system; proceeds from the event will assist with her medical expenses and monthly travel to Boston Children’s Hospital.
Family members are organizing a Spaghetti Supper & Raffle to benefit Shayna Newton on Saturday, January 23. Shayna is battling Rasmussen encephalitis, a rare disorder of the central nervous system; proceeds from the event will assist with her medical expenses and monthly travel to the Boston Children’s Hospital.
The supper will be served from 4:30 to 6 p.m. and the raffle will be drawn at 6:30; you need not be present to win. The meal will include spaghetti & meatballs, macaroni & cheese, casseroles, salad, sides, dessert and beverages. A cash bar and take-out will be available. Tickets are $7 for adults and $4 for children. They may be purchased at the door. The event will take place at VFW Post 1603 at 588 Minot Avenue in Auburn.
