This week’s edition!
Events
A “Celtic Christmas Extravaganza” at Franco Center
The critically acclaimed Boston String Quartet brings a Celtic Christmas Extravaganza to the Franco-American Heritage Center on Tuesday, December 20 at 7:30 p.m. This year’s featured vocalist is Pan Morigan.
For the second year, The Boston String Quartet returns to its New England roots to thrill audiences with their signature mix of music and movement, original storytelling and holiday joy. Be prepared for a thrilling concert of soaring Irish melodies, thumping rhythmic patterns, and Celtic flavor. With their engaging and refreshing take on beloved holiday favorites, the quartet incorporates the vocal stylings of Pan Morigan into their repertoire.
First Festival of Art and Lights is Saturday in Downtown Lewiston
On Saturday, December 10 from noon to 5 p.m. Downtown Lisbon Street will be filled with holiday cheer! The first Festival of Art & Lights will feature 14 downtown locations with 38 high-quality artisans selling wonderful gifts such as jewelry, scarves, pottery, wood working, fine art, lamps, photography, wreaths, poinsettias and more!
Mellow jazz, an afternoon wine tasting and chair massages will be offered for adult shoppers. The festival will also include activities for children, such as snow painting (weather permitting), snowflake making and photos with jolly ol’ St. Nick.
Winter Farmers Market offers Holiday Extravaganza
While “Buy Local” campaigns seem to be gaining momentum around the country this year, Mainers have long valued locally made products. The Lewiston-Auburn area has a wealth of small owner/operated businesses for holiday shoppers to choose from.
The Lewiston Winter Farmers Market brings 25 vendors together in one location on Thursday, December 15, making it easy for residents to shop for a home-grown Christmas.
The December Winter Market will be transformed into a Holiday Extravaganza where shoppers can find hand-crafted unique foods, gifts and even gift certificates. Stock up on Maine-grown and Maine-made products, including fresh fruits and veggies, pasture-raised meats, eggs, seafood, fresh milk and artisan cheeses.
Bah humbug! “A Christmas Carol” returns to Public Theatre
“A Christmas Carol” and “Silent Night.” The Public Theatre’s own version of Dickens’ classic has become a favorite holiday tradition in Lewiston-Auburn. Friday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Dec 10 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec 11 at 2 p.m. $18 for adults; $5 for children under 12.For tickets, call the Box Office at 782-3200. The Public Theatre, Downtown Lewiston. FMI: see www.thepublictheatre.org.
Twin Cities Holiday Celebration is November 30
The 5th Annual Twin Cities Holiday Celebration is on tap for November 30, beginning at 6 p.m. featuring the Parade of Lights and numerous holiday activities. Oxford Networks is once again the event’s premiere sponsor, and company employees will lead the parade.
As the parade assembles on Lisbon Street, Lewiston, at approximately 5:30 p.m., refreshments will be available compliments of the Salvation Army. The rain date for the event is December 1.
Following the lighting of the Lewiston Christmas tree by Mayor Laurent F. Gilbert Sr. and Auburn Mayor Richard Gleason at 6 p.m. in Dufresne Plaza, the parade will step-off from Lisbon Street, turn left onto Main Street, cross the Longley Bridge, proceed by the Auburn Hilton, turn left onto Auburn’s Turner Street, proceed down Mechanic’s Row, turn left onto Auburn’s Main Street and arrive at Festival Plaza.
Pathway Vineyard Church presents “Nativity 2011!”
Pathway Vineyard Church, located at 12 Foss Road in Lewiston, will present its fifteenth annual community Christmas event, “Nativity 2011,” beginning on Thursday, Dec. 8.
The church will open its Lewiston campus for a presentation of a new look at the familiar Nativity story. This year’s event, which has become a yearly holiday tradition for thousands of Central Maine residents, is filled with cultural music and drumming, drama, dance, and, as always, live animals.
Following the unique half-hour presentation, complimentary cider and cookies, caroling and an exhibit demonstrating “Christmas Around the World” await guests in the festively lit foyer. Draft horse wagon rides around the lighted Lewiston campus will also be featured along with a live petting zoo and an outdoor Christmas village.
Local firefighters open Fire House Grille
For 25 years, co-owner of the Fire House Grille Victor Mathieu has fought fires throughout the Lewiston-Auburn area. Today he answers a new call as he reaches for the telephone to answer another curious customer’s question. “Yes, the dart league will be back” he says with a smile. “Andy’s baked beans too.”
In the works for over a year, former Auburn Battalion Chief Victor Mathieu and John Roy, a current lieutenant with the Auburn fire department, celebrated their November 3 ribbon cutting with fanfare and smiles as they officially opened the doors to Lewiston-Auburn’s newest restaurant and pub at 47 Broad Street in Auburn, the former home of Andy’s Baked Beans.
Roy said the new restaurant, which will serve lunch and dinner, will have a few differences from the previous eatery, but feature many of the dishes familiar to longtime customers of the famed establishment.
“Andy’s was here for over 30 years,” said Roy. “At lunch or dinner, people knew they could come to this location to get good food at the right price. I think once the public sees the lights on again, that dedicated client base will be back.”
Kora Shriners FEZtival of Trees opens Saturday
Featuring over 70 decorated Christmas trees, the 6th Annual Kora Shriners FEZtival of Trees kicks off the holiday season on Saturday, Nov. 19 and will run through the following Saturday, Nov. 26.
In addition to over 70 decorated trees, the FEZtival will offer a silent auction room, craft fair and food court. There will also be plenty of musical entertainment for your listening pleasure, as well as special visits from Mr. and Mrs. Claus.
Every day is kid’s day at the FEZtival! Santa will be there every day the FEZtival is open. Come and get your pictures with Santa and take a turn in the fishing pond.
Tribute to Veterans is Friday
The L & A Veterans Council invites the public to participate at the Musical Tribute to Veterans on Friday, November 11 at the Lewiston Armory on College Street.
Starting at 10 a.m., this event is free. Everyone is welcome to come and show thanks to our veterans for their service. The program includes the Edward Little High School Band, the Just Us entertainers, the National Anthem, an invocation by Pastor Bruce Tynes of the Baptist Church in West Paris, speeches, a Pass in Review by military branches, several veterans, fraternal and youth color guards, and two special presentations, one to Collette Monument Inc. of Lewiston and one to Cote Crane Inc. of Auburn. For more information please contact Willie Danforth777-4759.
Volunteers needed for Androscoggin Greenway Walking Assessments
The Androscoggin Land Trust, through its LA Trails program, has secured grant funding from the Environmental Funders Network’s Quality of Place Initiative to expand on the planning for an Androscoggin Greenway, a continuous land and water based trail network through Lewiston and Auburn.
With support from both cities and the National Park Service, ALT has leveraged its grant funding to hire Wright-Pierce, an engineering consulting firm, to complete the technical components of this planning.
The first phase, now complete, was an inventory of all existing trails, open spaces and public lands along the river corridor from Gulf Island Pond south towards the Maine Turnpike overpass of the Androscoggin.
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