Happy Saturday, Lewiston!
Between the Olympics kickoff and the Super Bowl tomorrow (go Pats!), it's an exciting weekend to nestle on the couch and turn on the tube.
I've written stories of a nostalgic nature about both events, packed with clippings from our archives. One spotlights four Mainers and a trio of Auburn siblings who've competed in the Olympics over the past century.
Clearly there were many great athletes I could have included; this was merely a sampling. But since one reader told me about an Olympian from this area, I'd like to give a shoutout to Karl Anderson, an Auburn-born alpine skier who competed in the 1976 and 1980 games. He's also a member of the Maine Ski Hall of Fame.
Also, here's my story about Maine fans who've cheered on the Patriots through good times and bad the past decades. Maybe you're one of them?
See our full coverage of Mainers in the Olympics, and check out all our Super Bowl stories.
This newsletter offers several news stories, Mark LaFlamme's mini column and things to do around Lewiston. Also, you can read about Maine MILL getting a $3 million federal boost for its new $14 million location, and here's a glowing review of the Public Theatre's production of "Still."
As always, I encourage you to email me with submissions about upcoming events or other community contributions to be included in this newsletter.
Thanks for reading. Until next time, - Alex Lear |
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| LOCAL NEWS |
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Fatimah Alzamili listens to speeches last Friday afternoon in Kennedy Park in Lewiston. About 60 Lewiston High School students marched into Kennedy Park after starting at the high school and walking through downtown Lewiston. It was part of a student-led protest march against ICE. (Russ Dillingham/Staff Photographer)
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So, a bunch of Lewiston High School students were marching in protest and I was keen to hear what they had to say.
The problem? The kids were marching fast down narrow sidewalks clogged with last week's snow. To reach the little buggers, I had to run in from the street, hoping to catch enough of a tailwind to vault me over the snowbanks.
This usually worked just fine. I'd launch myself over the snowbank and land on two feet, moving quickly to keep up with the kids as they half jogged toward the downtown.
"Why, hello there," I'd babble, all red-faced and puffing after the Olympic-style high jump. "What can you tell me, my friend, about what brings you out here today?"
And so the conversation would proceed, an interview conducted at 5 mph on an icy sidewalk littered with football-sized snow chunks to trip over.
I conducted two or three interviews this way and kept my dignity largely intact. But then I spotted a tall, somber-faced young man who was marching his march and chanting his chants with particular zeal. A man on a mission. I definitely needed words from this fine chap.
In I came from the street, phone clutched in outstretched hands and feet moving fast as I approached the snowbank. I had this runway act nailed down tight, I figured, having achieved it successfully thrice before.
But something went wrong. Maybe the wind quit on me at the last second. Maybe those snow chunks conspired to trip me up.
I landed with one foot on the sidewalk and the other leg completely sunken in the snowbank, leaving me me trapped in an awkward pose and drawing titters from some nearby girls.
"Why, hello there!" I said to the stone-faced young man.
But he was gone. Long gone. And by the time I wiggled myself out of the snow, so were the rest of the marchers, and I had to go huffing off after them on one frozen leg.
I don't think I have to tell anybody here how much I hate January. February, too, and half of March. |
Send feedback to Mark | Read his columns on sunjournal.com |
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| COMMUNITY VOICES/AROUND TOWN |
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Singer-songwriter Draudiga will bring her songs to the Oasis of Music on Wednesday, Feb. 11, beginning at 12:30 p.m. Draudiga is the alias of Rebecca Theresa Burgess, a psych-folk musician from coastal Maine. The Oasis is held at Trinity Commons, 247 Bates St. in Lewiston. Admission is free, with donations accepted. Email Greg Boardman for more info.
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| THINGS TO DO IN LEWISTON |
Still," a play about lost love being rekindled decades later, takes the stage at the Public Theatre, 31 Maple St., today at 3 and 7:30 p.m. and tomorrow at 2 p.m. Learn more and get tickets. The Casco Bay Tummlers, with Sruli Dresdner and Lisa Mayer, perform at L/A Arts, 168 Lisbon St., tonight at 7 p.m. Experience selections from across the spectrum of Jewish music, and get tickets. The Lewiston Farmers' Market's winter session runs indoors at Edward Little High School, 77 Harris St. in Auburn, from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12. Get more info. The Franco Center, 46 Cedar St., will host a "Not-Your-Typical Valentine Party" in the lower level bar and lounge from 4 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13. There's no cover charge. Learn more. A contra dance will be held at Trinity Commons, 247 Bates St., from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13. A family dance runs from 6 to 7 p.m. Get more info. Volunteers who commit in advance get free admission. Email to secure a spot. The 2026 L-A Harley Davidson chili and mac cookoff takes place at 839 Main St. from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14. Registration is at 10 p.m. Reserve a spot. The Public Theatre's 28th annual Valentine Ball runs from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, at the Kora Shrine Temple, 11 Sabattus St. Treat your child, aged 4 to 12 years old, to a festive evening of dressing up and dancing. Buy tickets. The Lewiston Public Library invites all ages to 200 Lisbon St. to create Valentine's Day cards. Free supplies and crafting space will be available through Feb. 14 for adults on the second floor and children on the third. Learn more.
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| VISIT OUR EVENTS CALENDAR
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| THE WAY IT WAS IN LEWISTON |
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Feb. 7, 1976: “'Fly Rod.' 'Queen of the Anglers.' 'Maine's No. 1 Guide.' 'Most Famous Female Fisherman of the World'.
“All of these titles and more besides were used to describe Cornelia T. Crosby, a native of Phillips, a trailbreaker for future sportswomen of the field and stream and first publicity writer for Maine recreational interests.” Born in 1854, Crosby spent her final years at the Marcotte Home in Lewiston, where she died in 1946.
Click here to read more of this story from 1976. Subscribers enjoy exclusive access to search and browse our digital archives on Newspapers.com. |
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Alex Lear is a lifelong Mainer who has spent 25 years in journalism, the first 20 as a reporter for newspapers in Damariscotta and Falmouth, and the rest as Opinions section editor for the Sun Journal. His long-running “Learics” column won first place in the Maine Press Association’s 2023 Better Newspaper Contest. He and his wife Lauren are kept young by their 9-year-old daughter Alaina. Send feedback and suggestions to Alex. You can support this newsletter by encouraging friends and family to subscribe here. Read more news at sunjournal.com.
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