This week’s edition!
Area musicians to gather for “Blowin’ in the Wind” concert
This benefit concert for Lewiston’s Pettingill Park will feature a variety of musicians performing classic folk songs from the 1960s. (Photo by Gini Haines of Haines Photography)
Local guitarist, singer and songwriter Denny Breau has assembled a group of Maine musicians to stage a Folk Fest that will benefit Pettingill School Park in Lewiston. This “Blowin’ in the Wind” concert on Sunday, March 5 from 1 to 4 p.m. will take place at the Franco Center and will feature the music of Simon & Garfunkle, Bob Dylan, the Mama’s and Papa’s, Peter, Paul and Mary, and other popular folkies from that era.
“Music got us through those turbulent ’60s,” explains Breau. “With the current divisions we are witnessing today, I thought it would be a good time to pull out some of those old songs.”
Valentines for Veterans
Rep. Bettyann Sheats, D-Auburn, delivers Valentine’s Day cards to Charlie Ellis, who served in the Air Force, and Natalie Crosby, an ammunitions factory worker, at Schooner Estates. The cards were made by children at Auburn Public Library and were also delivered to residents of Clover Health Care and the Odd Fellows & Rebekah Home.
Only Steps Forward: Transition at Norway Savings Bank arena bodes well for Auburn
By Jonathan P. LaBonte
Mayor of Auburn
As we hit a high point in the hockey season here in Auburn, and with the Lion’s Tournament, America’s longest-running youth hockey tournament, kicking off this weekend, an update on the status of the city’s Norway Savings Bank Arena (NSBA) is warranted.
For anyone who follows city developments, or local hockey, you’ve likely heard that the general manager of NSBA has given his notice and will be moving on.
Marc Gosselin, who has served as GM of the arena and executive director of sports tourism for a little less than two years, announced last week he had accepted a front office position with the NHL franchise in Columbus, Ohio.
Enough is Enough: Influx of out-of-state liberal ideas threatens Lewiston
By Robert E. Macdonald
Mayor of Lewiston
Over the past five-plus years, I have repeatedly warned readers of one of the biggest threats facing Maine and now Lewiston. It is the steady influx of out-of-state staunch liberals, especially from the state my brother and I fled from: Massachusetts.
Fleeing the liberal tyranny of what once was my beloved Massachusetts, I sought and was granted citizenship in Lewiston. The fact that New Hampshire stood as a buffer between Maine and Massachusetts provided me with a great comfort. But that was 40 years ago.
Since then this liberal enemy has slowly and deliberately secreted themselves into Maine’s First Congressional District. They are currently in the process of trying to turn Maine into, as Governor Paul R. LePage eloquently stated, “a socialist utopia.”
Maine Family Snow Tube Park opens at Lost Valley
Representatives from LAEGC, the L-A Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Lost Valley and Maine Family FCU cut the ribbon to officially open the new park.
Officials from Maine Family Federal Credit Union and Lost Valley Ski Area in Auburn have announced that the credit union has signed a five-year commitment for naming rights of the three-lane, 600’ long snow tubing park, which is completing construction and slated to open this week at Lost Valley Ski Area in Auburn. The park, to be named the Maine Family Snow Tube Park, will serve individuals, families, large groups, corporate outings and birthday parties. For additional information, including open hours and pricing, see LostValleySki.com or visit the Lost Valley Facebook Page.
Auburn Fire Chief earns professional designation
Chief Geoffrey Low
The City of Auburn has announced that Fire Chief Geoffrey Low has earned the professional designation of “Chief Fire Officer (CFO).” The CFO credential, which was awarded by the Center for Public Safety Excellence, is a significant professional achievement, requiring a strong educational background, diverse participation in emergency services at the local, state, and national level, and demonstrated involvement in the broader community, all validated by emergency services peers.
Historical society publishes Edward Little biography
Those who would like a unique peek into Edward Little’s life while purchasing a copy of the book may do so at a special signing event at the Edward Little House in Auburn.
Androscoggin Historical Society has published a new book about Edward Little (1773-1849), one of the “founding fathers” of Auburn and Lewiston and the namesake of Edward Little High School. “Dear Parent: A Biography and Letters of Edward Little” was researched and written by Douglas I Hodgkin, who has written several works on local history.
While Little is best known for having founded Lewiston Falls Academy, which became Edward Little High School, less well known is the role of the Little Family in founding what became High Street Congregational Church, as well as bridges, railroads, and the mills at the falls, until the latter were taken over by Boston-based investors.
Auburn parish gets act(s) together for Cabaret Night
The committee organizing the event includes (l. to r., from front) Jeannine Peyser, Production Coordinator Carol DeRoy, Gladys Galarneau, Diane Dennis, Ron Peyser, Stage Manager Pam Vaillancourt, Roland Bergeron, and Bonnie Stone.
Talented performers from Auburn’s Immaculate Heart of Mary community will shine on Saturday, February 18 at 7 p.m. as the parish presents a fun-filled “Cabaret Night” of music and laughter to raise funds for its pipe organ project.
A parade of talented performers from the parish will grace the stage for a show that host and guest entertainer Louis Philippe says will be “reminiscent of the old days, when parish halls were the center of social and family life, and talent and variety shows were regular events.”
Only Steps Forward: Create a regional economic engine, not just one city
By Jonathan P. LaBonte
Mayor of Auburn
As the drum beat for and against a merger of the cities Lewiston and Auburn continues, it is likely key themes will emerge in both camps to make their case.
What I have heard and read from the Joint Charter Commission to date is a message about the economic stagnation of the two cities over the last generation or more and that an aging and declining workforce requires us to make a bold new move. In their pitch, of course, that’s to merge the cities.
One data point that is used is the GDP, or gross domestic product, of the Lewiston-Auburn metro area. This number is a measure of the size of the economy across a series of sectors, and the most recent data from 2015 shows the Lewiston-Auburn economy shrinking by 2.5%.
Enough is Enough: What has been taught for decades is now changing
By Robert E. Macdonald
Mayor of Lewiston
A few weeks ago, Governor Paul R. LePage in his weekly call into Bangor’s WVOM radio station, was asked about Georgia Congressman John Lewis’s boycotting of President of Donald Trump’s Inauguration. It was Lewis’s personal opinion that duly elected Republican President Trump is not “a legitimate President.”
Governor LePage went on to express his dismay with Congressman Lewis, pointing out that President Lincoln freed the slaves and Presidents Hayes and Grant were opposed to Jim Crowe laws. This created a firestorm.
Progressive history college professors rushed to defend Lewis’s action, belittling Governor LePage’s understanding of American history. The press immediately piled onto the criticism taking the side of their cohorts in academia.
Connect with Us on...
