LA
METRO MAGAZINE SUMMER 2020
TO PROTECT AND SERVE Community Resource Officer Joe Philippon
Page 25
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CREATING HISTORY
Harriman celebrates 150 years
FINDING THE GOOD THROUGH COVID-19
Turning adversity into opportunity
EAT OUT, STAY IN Val’s Drive-In
m o d e e r F
LET
REIGN
“Freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed – else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die.” – Dwight D. Eisenhower
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editor’s note PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICOLE RAND
The hot and humid weather that comes with this time of year is what I live for! Fun days at camp playing cornhole and horseshoes, floating in the pool, and late-night campfires with my family. What I’m most excited about this year though is seeing my beloved LA community start reopening. I’ve missed sitting in a restaurant and socializing with friends, I’ve missed being able to walk into a grocery store to pick up just a couple of items, and I’ve certainly missed the convenience of everything LA has to offer being easily accessible. My son graduated from high school this year. The most exciting day of his life so far was ruled by the regulations and guidelines that we are now having to adhere to. The apprehension was felt by thousands of graduates and their family members everywhere. But my son’s graduation was fun. More fun than I dreamed it would be. In a parking lot, people cheered and honked horns; graduates gave speeches and received diplomas. It was a creatively executed ceremony – and our graduates got their day that they worked so hard for. That creativity and outside-the-box thinking is highlighted throughout this entire issue of LA Metro Magazine. In our story, “Finding the Good through COVID-19,” we show you a business, an institution, and a person who have found ways to give back and help their community through this situation. Officer Joe Philippon, Lewiston community resource officer, has worked tirelessly with our immigrant community and integrated himself in the heart of the city. We also feature Harriman, which is celebrating 150 years in 2020. Their innovative creativity has built over 200 buildings throughout LA... many of which are still standing today. The ingenuity they have shown is what will keep LA thriving. LA Metro Magazine has been proudly standing with our essential workers and first responders as we try to navigate the new rules from day to day. We are grateful for those who have served their community in any way they can, whether it be caring for patients in a hospital, or bagging groceries at the grocery store... everyone’s work is essential. Each community member is essential. Each business is essential. I hope you are as excited to see LA reopening as I am and I look forward to being out ‘n about supporting local businesses. Together, we can Keep LA Moving Forward. Enjoy summer!
TYLA DAVIS Editor-in-Chief editor@LAMetroMagazine.com
LA Metro Magazine is proudly printed in Lewiston, Maine at
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LA METRO MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2020
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MEET THE
Contributors
BREWSTER Burns
Brewster was raised in Waterford, Maine, attended Oxford Hills High School, then graduated from Colby College. He became an English teacher at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School, where he has remained since 1988. Christmas of 2012, he received his first camera, and quickly developed a love of the lens. Brewster freelances for some Maine newspapers and local magazines. He resides in Hebron, with his wife and two children.
PEGGY
DeBlois A native of Lewiston, Peggy began writing creatively as a child growing up in a French-Catholic neighborhood. A graduate of Bowdoin College, she began her career in journalism at PC Week in Boston, where she was the ghostwriter for the industry gossip columnist, Spencer the Cat. She has also worked locally as an English teacher and public relations consultant. A resident of Auburn, she recently finished her first novel.
PHOTOGRAPHER 6
LA METRO MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2020
WRITER
toby
Haber-Giasson Toby hails from the bustling New York City media world, where she promoted live events like payper-view boxing, and published album reviews in Creem and Audio magazines. In LA, she coordinates events for First Universalist Church of Auburn, hosting the monthly Pleasant Note Open Mic, and staging their annual “Vagina Monologues” benefit against domestic violence.
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR & WRITER
DAVID Fuller
On his eighth birthday, David’s favorite aunt gave him a camera. She couldn’t have known that, from that day, photography would grow into a passion, a career, and a ticket to experiences he would otherwise only have dreamed of. Fifty years later, David is a successful filmmaker, photographer, and creative director working for national and local advertising agencies, businesses, and educational and government clients. It was, as things have turned out, the perfect gift.
PHOTOGRAPHER
CHELSEA Briggs
Chelsea’s passion for the arts began at a young age. She chased her love for digital and film photography while in high school. She decided to start her own business four years ago and has never looked back. During her career, she has freelanced for L.L. Bean, and created social media content for many household brands. Among Chelsea’s favorite things to do are create, sing, travel, and spend time with her family.
PHOTOGRAPHER
DONNA
Keene Rousseau A Maine native, Donna has dedicated much of her career to assisting families as they navigate the world of eldercare. Her philosophy is, “Create good by approaching all things with an open mind and a generous, honest heart;” it has served her well, personally and professionally. Writing is her happy place and her family is her heart.
WRITER
JOSE MICHAEL
Leiva Krapovicky
JOSE Leiva
Michael is a freelance writer and musician from Auburn. He graduated from the University of Maine at Presque Isle in 1999 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. He has submitted stories and articles for various publications, and performs throughout New England as a solo guitarist and bassist. Michael enjoys traveling, hiking, and spending leisure time with family and friends.
CASEY
Peacock Casey, originally from Tampa, Florida, moved to the Lewiston Auburn area back in 2018. Her full-time gig is slinging beers behind the bar at Side By Each Brewing Co., but spends much of her spare time creating travel itineraries for the destinations she wishes to visit and writing about the places she’s already been.
WRITER
Mayer
Jose started his photography career while in the Air Force during Vietnam. He moved to Maine in the late 1980s and retired from the Sun Journal a few years ago. He now works as a freelance photographer and exhibits his art locally. Jose lives in Lewiston, Maine, with his wife, Linda. Together they have six adult children, and four grandchildren who are a source of photographic inspiration.
PHOTOGRAPHER WRITER
LISA
Lisa is a Clio-Award winning advertising writer from New York City who moved to LA five years ago. Her work has been published in national magazines, and she is currently writing two novels set in Maine. Lisa is the wife of Rabbi Sruli Dresdner of Temple Shalom in Auburn, and their twins are in the fifth grade at the fabulous Park Avenue School.
PHOTOGRAPHER
SARA
Poulin
WRITER
NICOLE Rand
Sara is a “County” transplant enjoying life on the Androscoggin River. Most days she can’t be found, hiding away in the woods or mountains, enjoying the quiet peacefulness of the outdoors. A musician and actress, she enjoys the many diverse cultural opportunities offered in the LA area.
Nicole can’t remember a time when she did not have a camera in her hands. Her passion for photography started when she was little, working with her uncle who ran his own studio.
She writes, she runs, pats all the dogs, loves beer, and plays the ukulele...badly.
Her passion is to show the beauty that is within everyone. She is constantly learning new and inventive ways to capture moments that will last a lifetime.
WRITER
She graduated in 2015 with a degree in photography and digital workflow. Shortly afterwards, she opened her own portrait studio, Creativeones Photography.
PHOTOGRAPHER
VICTORIA Stanton
Victoria is a Lewiston resident who settled here after a nomadic childhood in a military family. She graduated from Williams College in 2009, and landed her first “real world” job at an LA nonprofit. She enjoys weaving storytelling into her work at every opportunity. Off the clock, Victoria can be found exploring Maine with her husband and young daughter, and their German Shepherd, Fraulein.
WRITER
LA METRO MAGAZINE digital edition @ LAMetroMagazine.com
7
CORE
Our
Crew
PUBLISHER & CEO
Jim Marston jim@LAMetroMagazine.com
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Jim Marston Publisher & CEO
Jim@LAMetroMagazine.com
Tyla Davis editor@LAMetroMagazine.com
ADVERTISING SALES Jim Marston Tim Rucker Steve Simard
PRODUCTION MANAGERS Tyla Davis Jim Marston
Tyla Davis
Editor-in-Chief/Graphic Design editor@LAMetroMagazine.com
Tim Rucker Sales
Tim@LAMetroMagazine.com
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Toby Haber-Giasson
WRITERS
Peggy L. DeBlois Toby Haber-Giasson Michael Krapovicky Lisa Mayer Casey Peacock Sara Poulin Donna Keene Rousseau Victoria Stanton
PROOFREADERS Keith Davis Kayla Marston
Steve Simard Sales
Steve@LAMetroMagazine.com
PHOTOGRAPHY Chelsea Briggs Brewster Burns David Fuller Jose Leiva Nicole Rand
COVER
Joe Philippon, Lewiston community resource officer Photographer: Jose Leiva
Stephanie Arsenault Bookkeeper
billing@LAMetroMagazine.com
Colby Michaud Multimedia Specialist
Colby@LAMetroMagazine.com
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LA METRO MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2020
LA Metro Magazine is published four times each year by LA Metro Magazine, LLC Editorial and subscription info: Call 207-783-7039 email: info@LAMetroMagazine.com 9 Grove Street, Auburn, ME 04210 Opinions expressed in articles or advertisements, unless otherwise noted, do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher or staff. Every effort has been made to ensure that all information presented in this issue is accurate, and neither LA Metro Magazine nor any of its staff are responsible for omissions or information that has been misrepresented to the magazine. No establishment is ever covered in this magazine because it has advertised, and no payment ever influences our stories and reviews. Copyright Š2020 LA Metro Magazine, LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission, in writing, from the publisher. Printed in Lewiston, ME, USA.
volume five • issue three
SUMMER 2020
in this issue features
quick reads
36
11
16
Social Hour: No one left behind
Val’s Drive-In Eat out, stay in
21 Finding the good through COVID-19
32
Sound Check: Tattooed Lies
42
48
Paving the road to success
56
New digs for Main Street Music Lessons
Freshen up your home with Refresh
60 Harriman celebrates 150 years
25
Nonprofit Spotlight: Dempsey Center
ON THE COVER To Protect and Serve
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Thank you to all Direct Support Professionals for your caring during this pandemic.
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LA METRO MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2020
www.jfmhomes.org
SOCIAL H UR
Highlighting great places to go and things to do in our communities.
No One
LEFT Behind:
The Lisbon Left Hand Club Written by Lisa Mayer | Photography by Chelsea Briggs
A
ccording to legend, back in 1945, George “Lefty” LaChance and four of his buddies wanted to keep in touch after the war. They created a group where they could pitch a few horseshoes, break a few Sunday laws against drinking, and maybe, just maybe, get away from the wives for a bit. They started meeting in each others’ houses, rotating around, until finally they got their own tiny shack. The Lisbon Left Hand Club was born.
One big happy family Seventy-five years later, not only are the wives welcome at The Lisbon Left Hand Club, but so are the kids, the grandkids, and the great-grandkids. The tiny shack is now a modern clubhouse, and the men cook Mother’s Day brunch for their wives. The Lisbon Left Hand Club, 100 member-owners strong, “really is like one big happy family,” according to Dan Martin, club vice president.
Gotta hand it to you The Clubhouse is a comfortable gathering place with long tables, regulation dart boards, an industrial-sized kitchen, and a large welcoming bar. Over the bar are pictures of members, past and present, and, dangling down, a stained glass piece depicting a left hand.
Dan Martin
The artwork may serve as a kind of a warning: Treat yourself to a drink, but make sure you hold it with your left hand, “or you’ll have to pay the fine.”
It used to be a nickel per offense. A quarter would pre-buy you an evening’s worth of offenses. “Now people just put down a dollar, because they know it’s going to our scholarship fund,” Martin says. The club gives out two $500 scholarships with the money, and their horseshoe league ponies up another $500 scholarship. College-bound children of the members put the money toward tuition. “Everyone in the club is a volunteer,” says member Cathy Proctor, holding her beer in her left hand, her right tucked safely in her pocket. Behind the bar is volunteer and longtime member Rene DuBois, bearded and twinkle-eyed. Proctor lights up as she describes the kids’ excitement at the club’s Christmas and Easter parties, and the gala Lobster Feed 12
LA METRO MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2020
that Martin himself organizes. The lobsters boil in giant pots right next to the 20-foot built-in barbecue, with its giant spit in a pit for the roasting pig. “We do weddings here,” she adds, “and other clubs come here to hold their big events.”
Serious fun The Lisbon Left Hand Club might be “all fun and games,” but you should know that they take fun and games seriously. The Lisbon Left Hand Club Horseshoe League (LLHCHL) boasts a few members who are genuine horseshoe champs: Marc Ritchie and Michelle Mason are both Maine State Champions, and dart player Jim Fitzsimmons is also a state champion. “They all started right here,” Martin says proudly. Is he, himself, any good at horseshoes? “I used to be atrocious.” “Well he’s pretty good, now!” says Valerie Odams, league secretary. She assesses her own skills as “average average.” Odams, herself, wasn’t volunteered, she was “voluntold,” and her web and social media skills keep everyone in the know. As secretary, she keeps the LLHCHL stats updated weekly, since it’s a handicap league. That means that the better players play with a carefully calculated handicap, so even average players have a chance to win.
It’s the pits There are generally 20 Lisbon Left Hand Club Horseshoe League teams, with a minimum of three players on each team. Each Wednesday, teams play a match of six games. The season runs from mid-April through October, including playoffs. “But THIS year,” Odams sighs about the Coronavirus, “we’re hoping to open in July.” On Wednesday evenings, members get their drinks, hot dogs,
Cathy Proctor
By Lisa Mayer | Photography by Chelsea Briggs | The Lisbon Left Hand Club
The Lisbon Left Hand Clubhouse and burgers from the clubhouse, and walk across the parking lot to the newly built horseshoe pit. There are 10 open-air pits and eight picnic tables, each under its own new tin roof. “It seems to rain every Wednesday,” Martin says ruefully. And since players play in the rain, it’s only the hot dogs and drinks that are spared from getting soggy. Team names hint to the left-leaning humor of the players. “Our name is Lefty’s Longshots because that’s what it would take for us to win,” Martin says. Odam’s team is called P3, which she laughingly declines to explain. Other fun team names include the Lisbon Pit Wits, 2 Left Feet, and Ernie and the Ring Dings.
A stake in history The game of horseshoes goes back to 200 B.C., around the time people started putting shoes on horses. Greek and Roman festivals included discus throwing, and some folks who couldn’t afford a discus started throwing some unused horseshoes at a stake in the ground.
Stained glass reminder Since the Romans occupied Britain for the first few centuries A.D., the game took off in England, where it was called quoits. That disc was round and made of rope or pounded metal. The game crossed the Atlantic to the British Colonies, and was played during the time of the American Revolutionary War. Meantime, the English kept modifying the official regulations of the game and dimensions of the disc. The Americans, figuring they won the more important war, graciously decided to play by British rules. Sometimes called a “soldier’s game,” horseshoes were also played throughout the time of the Civil War. Union soldiers used horseshoes from mules, and brought the game to their own backyards when they got home. But the biggest horseshoe game in America – at least until such time as the Lisbon Pit Wits beat Ernie and the Ring Dings – took
Valerie Odams pitches a horseshoe LA METRO MAGAZINE digital edition @ LAMetroMagazine.com
13
place in Bronson, Kansas, a town of 300, in the Summer of 1910. On that fine Saturday, 1,000 people showed up from all over to see the very best in “horse blood,” colts, and mules. And, according to the local Bronson paper, “The Horseshoe Game attracted much attention.” A certain team, comprised of one Mr. W.F. Jackson and one Mr. Lonnie Wilson, took the title and received $2.50 each.
No one left out Lefty Longshot Martin says The Lisbon Left Hand Club is proud to continue “to attract much attention” to this American horseshoe tradition. They had a 75th Anniversary float in last season’s Moxie Parade.
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LA METRO MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2020
“The Left Hand Club is a great place for families, couples, people of all ages,” Martin says. “Come for Sunday breakfast!” What’s for breakfast? “Whatever ya’ want!” laughs Proctor, the uncontested chief cook and bottle washer. “I’m cookin’, and it’s only seven bucks!” The club does have a homey and happy vibe. Good food, good drink, good times, good people, and good sportsmanship. What else is left? Lisbon Left Hand Club Wagg Road, Lisbon • www.LLHCHL.com
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Eat Out, Written by Lisa Mayer | Photography by Nicole Rand
Val’s Drive-In carhops: Veda Leclerc, Adrianna Roy, Maddy Conley, Katie Morin, Nadia Roy, Lizzy Marcotte, Kate Bilodeau, Monica Field, Abbie Marcotte, Emily Bilodeau, Paige Bourgoin, & Chloe Bilodeau
Stay In
I
f ever there were the perfect place to eat during these crazy times, it’s Val’s Drive-In. You get to eat out AND quarantine in your car – at the same time!
Of course, when Val Gregoire purchased the place back in 1974, people could still breathe on each other.
Until recently, it was mixed in three 30-gallon vats in the front of the restaurant, and stirred by hand with a big paddle. Now it’s made off-site, but it’s still the most popular item. And it pairs perfectly with the second most popular item: the hamburger.
Retro It’s the absolutely American experience of a drive-in that makes the place magical. Drive-ins had their heyday in the 1950s and early 1960s, during that clean-cut era depicted in American Graffiti and Happy Days. Nostalgia for this era captured an idealized American culture that seemed simpler and comfortably traditional. Val’s still captures that feeling now, right on Sabattus Street. Classic Car events are a natural here, a picture-perfect way to celebrate the era. Nothing says “America” like sipping root beer with your baby in a Cadillac Coupe de Ville. “We’d have the hot rodders with 150 cars from the ‘50s and ‘60s parked all over the lot, blasting Bill Haley and the Comets’ ‘Rock around the Clock,’” Gail remembers. “Sometimes we still get a call from a Classic Car club telling us to hold 20 prime spots!”
Jeannette Gregoire, Chris Lawrence, & Gail Lawrence
Three generations Val’s Drive-In is truly a Lewiston legacy. Val Gregoire started his iconic business in 1974, in what was originally an A&W Root Beer stand. His daughter, Gail Lawrence, bought it from him in 1995. And now Val’s grandson, Chris Lawrence, owns it. He bought it from his mother, Gail, when he was only 30.
Lisbon Falls oldies station WQRY106.com broadcasts direct from the drive-in throughout the season. Val’s holds their annual hamburger eating contest during a broadcast, where six contestants compete to eat six hamburgers in five minutes. Whomever finishes first is the winner. Last year’s winner, Eric Davin, ate six burgers in 2 minutes and 36 seconds. For this, he received a Val’s gift card, and his name was engraved on a trophy that is displayed at the drive-in. The Val’s team is hoping there will be a contest this year.
“Chris is extremely entrepreneurial,” his mom says. He’s also smart enough to know that if it ain’t broke, you don’t fix it. Take their root beer, for example. It’s still the original A&W formula that tastes of cherry bark, wintergreen, and a bit of anise. “It would be totally healthy,” she laughs, “except for the sugar.”
Carhop Chloe Bilodeau delivers a rootbeer and hot dog
Hopping and hula hooping Pull your car in and a cute, young carhop comes and takes your order. In the warm weather, the female carhops wear poodle skirts, and hula hoop between customers. Gail Lawrence can’t say enough good things about the carhops. “They are so lovely; we are blessed.” It’s true. Carhops come to your car window with a smile, and wait patiently while your kids, bouncing up and down in the back seat, can’t make up their minds. Your order comes back on a red tray. The carhop instructs you to raise your driver’s window about three inches, and attaches the tray. Then she is off to get the root beer and cups because, of course, you ordered that, too. Val’s homemade root beer
By Lisa Mayer | Photography by Nicole Rand | Val’s Drive-In But perhaps most extraordinary is that Val Gregoire’s beloved wife, Jeannette, still works there, too. “She is a VERY YOUNG 89,” her daughter beams. Val Gregoire met Jeannette at a dance in Lewiston in the 1950s. He was a fireman, a big-time sports enthusiast, and worked for the A&W drive-in on the weekends. “When the owner, John Wheeler, wanted to retire, he approached Dad,” explains his daughter. Val and Jeannette worked side by side for many years, until Val became ill in the early 1990s. He passed away in 2003. He had wanted to keep the business in the family, and “I was the oldest,” Lawrence says. “My husband, Jim, said, ‘Whatever you want,’ so I bought it.”
Not to toot our own horn What’s the secret to the success of a multigenerational family business?
Veda Leclerc twirls a cone Try the poutine. Try the mozzarella sticks, Chris’ innovation. Try the fried Oreos, an idea Chris got after visiting a few county fairs. Try the freshly made “hand spun” frappes. “Try the lobster rolls,” Gail urges. “Our quarter pound Clearmeat Lobster Roll is out of this world and, at $11.99, the price is one of the lowest around. We put out a lot of food from this little building!” Try the “Heart Attack,” with two beef patties, two pieces of bacon, and two pieces of cheese piled inside a hamburger bun. “That was Chris’ idea too,” his mom boasts, “as was the siren that goes off whenever you order one.” Hundreds of bravehearts order those every week!
Rearview mirror Where did the term “carhop” come from? “Back in the ‘50’s, before my time,” Lawrence explains, “a carhop would meet your car at the entrance to the drive-in, and hop up on your running board to guide you to your parking spot.” Val’s carhops come back season after season. Gail started as a carhop when she was just 14. Her four younger siblings Gene, Karen, Gina, and David, all worked there as soon as they were old enough. And when they grew up and got married, their spouses and their in-laws worked there, as did everyone’s kids, and their kids’ kids. Lawrence is grateful for her sister, Gina Field, who still works at Val’s full-time.
Adam Bilodeau takes a swing in the batting cages “I think it’s got to be in you,” Lawrence shares. “You have to grow up with it. We all grew up with it.” Her voice swells with pride again as she talks about her son, Chris, now the third generation to own Val’s. “He’s got it in him. You know, about seven years ago, he put batting cages behind the Drive-In, which have really done well. And after they bat – they come and eat!” Her voice gets a little softer. “My dad loved sports, too. Oh, I’m so glad my son was able to do this!” Val’s Drive-In 925 Sabattus Street, Lewiston • www.facebook.com/ValsDriveIn
Maddy Conley LA METRO MAGAZINE digital edition @ LAMetroMagazine.com
19
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LA METRO MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2020
Dangerous
Band
Written by Michael Krapovicky Photography by Brewster Burns
A
Tattooed Lies show epitomizes a goodtime party feel that ‘80s rock ‘n’ roll brought to the world. The band’s name comes from the Motley Crüe song “Danger,” a favorite of founding members Paul Audet and Melissa St. Pierre. The set list, ranging from tunes by AC/DC, Heart, and Twisted Sister, reflects a raucous milieu that captivates audiences at their live shows. St. Pierre effortlessly channels female superstars like Stevie Nicks and Lita Ford with her impressive vocal prowess, and the band covers songs with precision and a flair for the dramatic.
Tattooed Lies
Word on the street
Genesis
“Tattooed Lies delivers on multiple different levels,” says Christina Barcelou, owner and manager of Mixers Nightclub and Lounge in Sabattus. “We have always had a huge turnout for this band – I believe due in most part to the time and energy put into the performance part of their show.”
How did Tattooed Lies get started? Guitarist Paul Audet had played guitar since he was 16, citing Randy Rhoads, Akira Takasaki (from a Japanese band called Loudness), and Yngwie Malmsteen as influences. Audet played throughout Maine; his resume includes a Def Leppard tribute band.
Yvonne Franklin Perry, owner of the Mill House Pub in Mechanic Falls, also has high praise for Tattooed Lies.
“I wanted a side project, playing songs from different bands, especially so-called ‘80s hair metal,” says Audet. “I never had a female singer in any of the bands I played in, and I always wanted to; it opens up so many song possibilities.”
“They have a perfect high energy, an authentic ‘80s vibe that everyone loves,” Perry says. “Melissa’s vocals are so on-point. She always delivers a perfect song with her belting voice.” There are many benefits to attending a Tattooed Lies performance at The Mill House Pub, according to Perry. “Patrons can even score a seat at the bar on a busy night with Tattooed Lies, because more often than not, our dance floor is completely packed, straight through till closing time!” Perry remarks. Shelly Dubuc was an early advocate of the band, recommending them for a steady gig at the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Lewiston.
Audet recruited Melissa St. Pierre for vocals in 2015. “I had known Melissa around the music scene. After talking with her, we realized we like the same kind of music, so I asked her if she was interested in joining,” reports Audet. St. Pierre has been singing since she was two years old, with songs from the ’30s to current titles. She got involved in school musicals and community theater, as well as rock bands. She was encouraged primarily by her mother, Monique St. Pierre, who was also a local singer in bands, and Mike McClure, a local performer and Melissa’s former chorus teacher.
“Your experience with Tattooed Lies will always leave you feeling complete, and treated like family!” Dubuc exclaims. “Tattooed Lies is a quintessential ‘80s cover band,” die-hard fan Jeff Ramich attests, “with a lead singer who cannot only belt out rock anthems but also sing ballads that bring you right back to where you were when you first heard the song.” “Tattooed Lies bring a following of fans wherever they perform,” says Norman Poulin, another ardent devotee. “The lead female singer has awesome vocals. She really gets the crowd engaged and dancing.” In addition to Mixers and the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the band also enjoys playing recurring dates at the American Legion Post in Auburn, Mill House Pub, and Fast Breaks.
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LA METRO MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2020
Paul Audet
By Michael Krapovicky | Photography by Brewster Burns | Tattooed Lies
Peter Haggarty The band’s lineup has evolved over time into the group that exists today. Peter Haggarty, originally from Glasgow, Scotland, began playing drums in 1980, touring extensively all over Europe. He moved to the U.S. in 2003. When Haggarty auditioned for the vacant drummer spot in Tattooed Lies, the band all agreed his upbeat character and ability were a natural fit. He started playing drums with the band in December 2018. Glenn Mallett started playing bass for Tattooed Lies in February 2019. Originally from Massachusetts, he served at Brunswick Naval Air Station. When he married in 1990, Mallett’s strong ties here brought him back to Maine. He met St. Pierre through a mutual acquaintance. When Tattooed Lies needed a bassist, St. Pierre asked Mallett to join.
Set list Tattooed Lies considers the ‘80s “hair-band” genre their forte, but are versed in other music. The band knows the importance of constantly updating their setlist to keep their following entertained. “We want people to come back and think, ‘Oh wow, they threw a new song in there!’” St. Pierre insists. “People see us often enough, and they appreciate those changes that we make.” Songs like “God is a Bullet,” by Concrete Blonde, and “Hungry like the Wolf,” by Duran Duran, were later additions to the set list.
Glenn Mallett Melissa St. Pierre
Appreciative audiences Tattooed Lies enjoys sharing memorable times with their audiences. “Seeing dancers out on the floor and fans mouthing the lyrics of their favorite songs really helps to raise our energy,” says St. Pierre. “A group from Bates College came to one of our gigs at Pedro O’Hara’s, along with their families,” she recalls. “Moms and dads were pulling their adult children on the dance floor, to dance to the music of their era!” Tattooed Lies played at the 2019 Fourth of July Celebration in Monmouth, at the town beach. “That was a blast!” exclaims St. Pierre. “People in the lake, families dancing together – rain and all! And when I say rain, I mean downpouring sideways!” St. Pierre and her sisters dressed as the Sanderson Sisters from the movie “Hocus Pocus,” and performed “I Put A Spell on You,” with the band at Mixers on Halloween of 2019. “Tattooed Lies nailed it, right down to the coordination on costumes and choreography,” raves Barcelou. “This type of devotion to the act is what puts a band like this ahead of the curve.”
Future plans The band has volunteered to play at the 6th Annual Summer Block Party, presented by Uncle Andy’s Digest, an annual MakeA-Wish Maine fundraiser. “We are excited to be part of such a special benefit!” says St. Pierre. “It is an honor to be included.” “There’s nothing better than to help kids in need,” says Mallett. They also have scheduled gigs all over LA for the remainder of 2020. Like all going through isolation due to the global pandemic, Tattooed Lies is eager to return to normalcy.
“We are all feeling uneasy as our routines and predictable lives have been turned upside down – we want to bring music to everyone again!” concludes St. Pierre. “We look forward to seeing everyone soon...until then: rock on, love life, and appreciate every single day!” Tattooed Lies www.facebook.com/TattooedLies.Maine/
•Brewery•taproom•Café•Pinky D’s Food truck•Coffee by Design•
• Please check our website or Facebook page for current hours and offerings • / S IDEB YE ACHB REWING
W W W . S I D E B Y E AC H B R E W I N G . CO M
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7 AM - C LOSE Tuesday - Friday 8 AM - C LOSE Saturday N OON - C LOSE Sunday
1 1 1 0 M INOT A VE. A UBURN, M AINE 2 0 7. 6 8 9 . 3 0 3 0
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PROTECT and
SERVE Community Resource Officer
Joe Philippon Written by Victoria Stanton | Photography by Jose Leiva
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ew people know the ins and outs of Lewiston – its people and its potential – as well as Community Resource Officer Joseph Philippon. One of the city’s most recognizable and dedicated law enforcement officers, Philippon uses his position to dive deep into the issues and build connections across every corner of the community.
Interaction One night in 2004, a security guard at St. Mary’s Health System received a page. A man admitted to the hospital’s adult psychiatric ward had become combative and needed to be escorted off the premises. When the security guard arrived, he found several staff engaged with a man yelling about, of all things, Senator Bob Dole. It was apparent to then 18-year-old Joe Philippon, who had taken the security guard position for the experience while attending college, that force was not going to get anyone far in the situation. So he started a conversation. “I was able to sit there and talk to him about Bob Dole, and presidential politics,” recalls Philippon, “and he calmed right down. This was a guy that we should have had to handcuff, restrain, medicate, or drag out kicking and screaming. But we walked down the stairs, and he got right in an ambulance.” Today, Philippon is an officer of the Lewiston Police Department. In a way, that prescient encounter at St. Mary’s has set the tone for the last several years of his career. In his role as a community resource officer (CRO), Philippon builds relationships and gets creative in addressing some of Lewiston’s toughest community issues.
Odds are, if you have not yet met Philippon, you have seen him at any number of local events, where he is as likely to be leading a special neighborhood initiative as he is to sit in the dunk tank at the annual Summer Block Party, presented by Uncle Andy’s Digest, benefiting Make-A-Wish Maine. For Philippon, every interaction with the public is an opportunity to build a safer and healthier LA.
A different kind of beat Drop in at the B-Street Community Center in downtown Lewiston, and you might find Philippon chatting with a local resident or debriefing with fellow Community Resource Officer Charlie Weaver. More likely though, he’ll be part of any of the numerous community meetings, task forces, or special events he sits on. As Philippon describes it, “Community policing is really the foundation of policing.” The only difference, he argues, is that a community resource officer is less likely to be the one to respond to an emergent call. Instead, the role is designed to give CROs “the time to create long-lasting relationships and to get to the root causes of problems in order to develop solutions.” Visibility is essential to the role, says Lewiston Police Chief Brian O’Malley. “Officer Philippon and the rest of the Community
Joe Philippon chats with Shawn Watson & Amber Rowe while Ivori Wilson hangs out in her stroller
By Victoria Stanton | Photography by Jose Leiva | Joe Philippon
Resource Team allow people to have positive interactions with police officers on a consistent basis.” O’Malley says embedding officers in the neighborhood, and hosting activities like the popular “Coffee with a Cop” at area shelters and nursing homes, creates “a less intimidating environment” for residents to engage with law enforcement.
Hussein and Philippon have worked closely together on events recognizing World Refugee Day, a worldwide celebration held annually on June 20th, and frequently partner on educating the New Mainer community and law enforcement about each other.
And that’s where the problem-solving begins: with relationships. Whether these problems are crime, poverty, mental illness, or, increasingly, substance use disorder, Lewiston Police Chief Philippon believes comBrian O’Malley plex problems require deep collaboration with a variety of community stakeholders. And he believes law enforcement can be the bridge between groups who want to move the needle on these issues.
Cultural icebreaker
Both Philippon and Hussein stress that building meaningful connections takes effort and a willingness to be open on all sides. And as Hussein says, it is not always about “an issue.” Very often, it’s about sharing and celebrating culture. Philippon put cultural exchange on the program when he spearheaded the effort to bring the Maine State Music Theatre to Lewiston in 2017 for a performance of “The Taffetas.” The musical, whose tagline promises “A musical journey through the fabulous ‘50s,” was performed at the Gendron Franco Center, itself a testament to the enduring contributions of French Canadian immigrants who settled in Lewiston decades earlier. “And the reason we did all this,” says Philippon, “was so that we could arrange for members of our immigrant and refugee population to offer cultural performances before the show, and free cultural food during intermission. We made a cultural icebreaker.” The show sold out within 10 minutes of the box office opening.
One can’t talk about Philippon’s work in the community without considering the experiences of the first- and second-generation African immigrants and refugees who have come to call Lewiston home. Since the first New Mainers began arriving in 2001, the Community Resource Team has been part of a collaborative effort to educate and build connections between long-standing Lewiston residents and their newest neighbors.
Fatuma Hussein
She says that, when it comes to the needs of the New Mainer community, “Joe is our go-to guy. He is always available, whether it’s a school issue, a street issue, a Kennedy Park issue, or an opportunity to celebrate.”
Fatuma Hussein is the executive director of the Immigrant Resource Center of Maine, and cochairs the New Mainers Community Collaborative with Philippon.
A Lewiston son Adopted from his native Calcutta, India, at just one month old, Philippon grew up in Lewiston. As a student at St. Dominic’s Academy, serving his fellow citizens as a law enforcement officer was not his first choice of career. He planned to become a professional chef and was accepted to the esteemed College of Culinary Arts at Johnson & Wales University. That plan changed late in his senior year, when he had the opportunity to do a ride-along with local officers and see another side of his hometown firsthand. Philippon noted that the officers spent less time responding to calls than they did building a presence and starting conversations with residents. In 2005, Philippon graduated from the University of Maine at Augusta with a degree in administration of justice, and in 2006 he joined the Lewiston Police Department as a patrol officer. Becoming a part of the “thin blue line” has only reinforced his belief that community engagement and a service mindset make for the most effective policing.
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Joe Philippon chats with Erin Reed, director of the Trinity Jubilee Center He speaks earnestly on the misconceptions surrounding Lewiston, citing the city’s significantly lower crime rates compared to Portland and Bangor, which themselves have crime rates well below the national average. “This community’s reputation is worse than what it truly is.” The truth, he says, is that, “We do take care of our people and we do have services here.”
included a full-time crisis worker, had been in place for several years until the state cut its funding in 2008. Philippon was part of the team that worked to revive the initiative. Project Support You pairs Lewiston patrol officers with a counselor from Tri-County Mental Health Services, who takes part
Project Support You When people struggle with homelessness, poor access to resources, or perhaps some combination of mental illness or substance use disorder, it is only a matter of time before they have a run-in with the police. “Mental health has been an area I’ve always been drawn to. It goes all the way back to my time working as a security officer at St. Mary’s,” says Philippon, and that may be why he considers Project Support You to be one of his most impactful collaborations to date. Project Support You began in 2018, in response to the number of calls coming through the Lewiston Police Department involving people with mental illness, substance use disorder, or some combination thereof. An earlier version of the initiative, which 28
LA METRO MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2020
Catherine Ryder
By Victoria Stanton | Photography by Jose Leiva | Joe Philippon
in ride-alongs and assists with support and referral services for those in need. Catherine Ryder, CEO of Tri-County Mental Health Services (TCMHS), recalls the lengthy approval process that went into creating the memorandum of understanding between TCMHS and the City of Lewiston. Lawyers had to be consulted on both sides, and liabilities considered. She says there were times it felt easier to let it go.
police contacts within one year. Together, Philippon and TCMHS were able to connect her with services. “And that was it,” she says. “The calls to the police department stopped coming.” And that, Ryder says, has a ripple effect. “When you think about the hours that saved the police department, it’s a win-win. It was a win for that woman; it was a win for the community. It freed up time for the PD. And all for just a few hours of the officers’ and counselor’s time.”
Ryder credits Philippon and his understanding of systems for moving the needle to get Project Support You running. “It took a lot of effort and energy – and Joe’s constant advocacy,” she says. “He never let up.”
Both Ryder and Philippon would love to see Project Support You back at 40 hours a week or more, but the funding has not yet materialized. For now, TCMHS donates its staff, at a considerable cost to the organization.
Since its revival, the partnership has resulted in a decrease in the number of repeat overdoses and crisis calls. Ryder recalls a woman struggling with mental illness who was on track to log 100
For Philippon, the value of the program cannot be overstated. “It’s about supporting people who are most vulnerable in their time of need – and going to them.” He says officers can give out
Joe Philippon stands next to his caricature on the Summer Fun & Films truck
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cards and suggest services, “But those appointments don’t get answered. If we really care and want this solved, we have to carry the service to them.”
Neighborhood watch Outreach is one area where Philippon gets to add fun to his work, while fostering positive interactions between families and law enforcement. Enter one of Philippon’s most beloved projects: Summer Fun & Films. Approaching its fourth year, Summer Fun & Films is a series of midweek movie nights where family-friendly films are screened in different parks across Lewiston. Local nonprofit organizations set up tables with children’s activities, sponsors showcase their businesses, officers make public announcements and, of course, there is free popcorn. “That exchange of the popcorn is an easy thing to do,” says Philippon, who recognizes that not everyone who attends the program has always had positive interactions with law enforcement. “And what I like about the movie nights is that you can come have fun. You can hate us; you can love us. If you hate us, you still have to find something to do with your child.” Now that the movie nights have become established annual events, Philippon says he could not stop them if he wanted to. “Law enforcement helps organize them,” he says, “but they’re really part of the community. The community rallies behind these events.”
A shared vision Philippon is using his experiences on the ground in Lewiston, with efforts like Summer Fun & Films and Project Support You, to help shape a national conversation and support other police departments in their outreach efforts. He joined the Virginia Center for Policing Innovation in 2019 and is a certified trainer on community-based approaches to the prevention of terrorism and violent extremism. He also serves as an advisory board member for the center’s Reimagining the Broken Window Theory project, a national group of practitioners whose expertise will inform training and best practices in community policing for communities across the country. But when Philippon thinks about his legacy and what is next on the horizon, he keeps his sights set close to home. “I am a patrol officer,” he says, “but more importantly, I am a husband, a father, a neighbor, and a tax-payer in Lewiston.” With his wife, Katie, and two sons, Isaiah and Jackson, Philippon is determined to be part of a bright future for Lewiston, no matter what hat, or uniform, he wears. To get there, he says, “The police and the community must work together to understand and resolve issues, because the police have limited resources. Community pride and ownership is the ultimate deterrent.” Community Resource Team, Lewiston Police Department 207-650-7917
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LA METRO MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2020
Paving the road to success Written by Sara Poulin | Photography by David Fuller
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ustin Carrier strides off a Lewiston job site located in the area where he grew up. Rylee, a fluff of a dog, comes trotting out ahead of him. Carrier watches as two of his crew members work to finish a hardscape project on the other side of the driveway – a beautiful stone walkway and retaining wall that, according to Carrier, didn’t exist a day ago.
Randy Wheeler levels sand in preparation for paving
Mowing up
Moving forward
Carrier Lawn and Landscape started as a lawn mowing business when Dustin Carrier was 13 years old. His clients were all within bike riding distance of his childhood home, in the neighborhood sandwiched between The Androscoggin Bank Colisée, Lisbon Street, and Lewiston High School.
While attending college, Carrier continued with his mowing business, making enough money to purchase more equipment. Working a grounds maintenance contract for a condominium complex, he made enough to pay for his junior and senior years of college. In 2008, Carrier graduated from the University of Maine with dual degrees in landscape horticulture and business administration.
“I’d dump the grass clippings right over there,” Carrier says, gesturing toward a gully just past where three of his work trucks and trailers are lined up. Mowing all summer long and saving his earnings, he was able to buy a rusty old Toyota pickup truck, even before he had a driver’s license. The business has surely grown since then, from five or six lawn care clients to an average of 30 year-round maintenance accounts each year.
A hometown guy, Carrier returned to Lewiston after college. By working and putting his money aside, he saved enough to fund additional landscaping equipment and put all of his efforts into getting his business off the ground.
Growing up Autumn of 2008 marked the official start of Carrier Lawn and Landscape, offering mostly residential and commercial lawn care and maintenance. Currently, the company maintains 12 commercial accounts, which include mowing, lawn care, sweeping, plowing, and sanding. These accounts are based on 12-month financing terms, ensuring a steady flow of income for him and his full-time, five-man crew. In the future, he’d like to expand the business to include more accounts like these. Carrier offers, “I sleep better knowing that the payroll is covered during the winter months.” Though residential lawncare is where Carrier Lawn and Landscape started, over the course of the last ten years, Carrier has incorporated new offerings into his business model.
More than just landscaping According to Carrier, hardscapes have been a solid part of his business for years, and one of his favorite things to work on. “I love problem-solving,” Carrier says. “Viewing the end result of something is awesome.” Dustin Carrier and his constant companion, Rylee 34
LA METRO MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2020
It is easy to see what Carrier means. The retaining wall and walkway that the crew is working on have some unique challenges.
By Sara Poulin | Photography by David Fuller | Paving the road to success “That you have to call in the fall if you want work done in the spring,” he replies. “As in life, planning is the key to success.” Words of wisdom from a man who seems to have had a plan for success since the age of 13. Carrier Lawn and Landscape 587 College Road, Greene • carrierlandscape.com
Randy Wheeler and Kevin Cunningham plan a project while Dustin Carrier supervises Carrier had to “whack away” at preexisting concrete stairs, and the new hardscape has to blend in flawlessly with existing structures like curves and a porch, which it does. Carrier is also a certified contractor for the Department of Environmental Protection, which allows him to work with customers who own camps and homes on waterfront properties. “We are trained on all things excavation within 250 feet of any water, lake, or pond,” he explains, “We work with code enforcement to try and get projects approved.” That means fewer roadblocks and difficulties for Carrier’s clients. Septic services evolved from a good suggestion. Carrier’s associate, Adam Hall, said it would make sense if their heavy equipment could be used for septic work, in between hardscape projects. Carrier saw the financial benefit and added septic services to his list of offerings.
Expansion This July, Carrier Lawn and Landscape is planning to be in a new 9,600 square foot building at 587 College Road in Greene. Until now, the business has been run from Carrier’s home garage. “It will be nice to not have every employee know where I live,” Carrier laughs. “It’s the next step in growing the business.” The additional space leaves room to add more equipment and employees. With the business having expanded over the last ten years, the company is looking toward growing into their new location.
Friends and neighbors “This guy is top notch,” praised Matt Ross, one of Carrier’s clients. “Guys like Dustin – you don’t worry about. You trust them.” A high percentage of business for Carrier Lawn and Landscape is generated through word-of-mouth and personal referrals. All of those referrals add up. The company averages 15-20 estimates a week. Most days, Carrier is also on the job site, working alongside his crew. His company typically runs one or two jobs at a time, to ensure high quality work. While he is a busy man, Carrier really enjoys being on the jobs and seeing the finished product. What’s the one thing Carrier wishes people knew about preparing for a landscaping project? He cracks a wide smile.
Adam Hall secures equipment to a truck
FINDING the GOOD Turning adversity into
Volunteer Celeste Chaloux delivers meals to Emma, Gavin, & Sydney Mooney
through
C VID-19
opportunity
Written by Peggy L. DeBlois Photography by David Fuller
D
espite the heavy weight of living through the recent health pandemic of COVID-19, the Lewiston Auburn community pulled through with acts of good. There are countless examples of people stepping up and making a difference. LA Metro Magazine highlights the stories of a manufacturer, a public institution, and an individual who each found a way to pivot from “business as usual” to meeting the needs of our community.
Assembly line of hand sanitizers produced by Boston Brands of Maine (Photo courtesy of The Sazerac Company)
Boston Brands of Maine: From hospitality to hospitals
the time, but our team did a great job continuing to meet customer needs, as well as producing sanitizer to help the community.”
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, alcohol distilleries have been considered essential businesses. Local distillery Boston Brands of Maine made the decision to pivot toward making a product in much higher demand: hand sanitizer.
Although there are nearly 300 employees who work at BBM, the company hired more than 100 additional team members as temporary workers, to supplement the existing workforce. With industry connections to the hard-hit hospitality venues, Boston Brands actively sought to fill positions with displaced restaurant and bar workers.
Boston Brands of Maine has a long history here in Lewiston, originally as family-owned White Rock Distilleries. The Sazerac Company purchased the facility in 2013 and renamed it Boston Brands of Maine (BBM). The moniker honors its flagship product at the Lewiston facility: Mr. Boston Coffee Brandy. All of Sazerac’s North American facilities, including Boston Brands of Maine, began hand sanitizer production in late March for some of the world’s largest organizations in the health care, government, military, retail, airline, pharmaceutical, and banking industries. “There were no products put on hold and no production was stopped,” says Amy Preske, public relations manager at The Sazerac Company. “Actually, demand increased greatly during
“We worked with a local ‘temp’ agency to bring them in here to work on our production line, helping bottle not just hand sanitizer, but some of our regular production, too,” says Preske. While not available for direct purchase, locally-made Sazerac Hand Sanitizer is used by employees of the Maine State Police, United Ambulance Service, and other essential businesses. Employees are excited to help hospitals, homeless shelters, and many more organizations around the United States. According to Preske, BBM donated cases to the Maine Emergency Management Agency, and to Tufts School of Medicine for distribution to the homeless in Maine and Massachusetts. “Sazerac has always been a company that is nimble and able to react to change quickly,” says Preske. “We’re also a company that holds caring as one of its core cultural values. This experience has shown us that our entire workforce pulls together in times of need, to help others.” Preske says Sazerac has no plans to turn back from hand sanitizer production in the foreseeable future. “As long as hand sanitizer is needed, we’ll keep making it.”
Lewiston Public Schools: From the cafeteria to the community A donation of hand sanitizer is bound for the Maine Emergency Management Agency (Photo courtesy of The Sazerac Company) 38
LA METRO MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2020
The nutrition program at Lewiston Public Schools (LPL) offers free breakfast, lunch, and two snacks a day to every one of its roughly 5,500 students at its multiple school sites. When the scale and severity of COVID-19 signaled the inevitable school closures, the nutrition program had to find a way to distribute food to these children at home.
LPL Kitchen Staff: Mona Lessard, Terry Carver, Denise Caron, Louise Tancrede, Jen Bourgoin, Alisa Roman, & Curt Manchester with the portioned meals for the day at Montello school When the need for school closures was becoming apparent, Alisa Roman, director of nutrition and transportation for Lewiston Public Schools (LPS) was actually in Washington, D.C., at the School Nutrition Association’s annual conference. While there, she began scheming how she could use school buses to distribute food, a unique benefit of having one person manage two critical components in the system. Three days later, she was back in Maine, and that worst-case scenario of long-term school closures became a reality.
Alisa Roman
“Based on census data for each bus stop, I knew where I could bring food via buses,” explains Roman. “I still had to work through how to keep my staff safe and find volunteers to hand out the food.” Roman credits the Lewiston Education Association for finding volunteers. She also cites Peter Ouellette, terminal manager of Hudson Bus Lines, and Dawn Rancourt, transportation coordinator at LPS, as instrumental in helping her get the program up and running immediately.
Lewiston’s school system conducts its nutrition program through the summer months when students are at home, so Roman estimated based on those numbers, projecting a need for 60,000 meals in one month. In the first 11 days in March, the program nearly reached its original one-month projection, distributing 56,000 meals. By mid-April, the program had given out 267,000 meals, demonstrating the city’s tremendous need during this health crisis. Roman stresses that this entire program, even during a regular school year, comes with no cost to local taxpayers. The $4.2 million program is completely federally funded, as Lewiston qualifies for the Community Eligibility Provision.
“Since there is a high need of identified families with low income in Lewiston, our nutrition program is free to every student, regardless of income,” says Roman. She adds that LPS has the highest participation in the state, with approximately 4,500-5,000 children eating lunch, and about 3,500-4,000 children eating breakfast. At the new Robert V. Connors Elementary School, the nutrition program has 90 percent participation. The nutrition program at LPS has 80 staff balanced between seven in-school kitchens. It was imperative to Roman to keep her staff safe by keeping workers isolated, in secured buildings, and masked. “I have to manage remotely so if someone gets sick, I could close off that kitchen without the entire program going down.” Roman says she has had lots of people offering to help, and managing volunteers while staying on mission to safely feed children is a constant challenge. Corporate support of the nutrition program during COVID-19 has been crucial. “The manager at the local Walmart distribution center asked what we needed, and we needed crates to store food,” says Roman. Those crates arrived within the hour, along with plastic bags and ice packs. When a walk-in freezer holding $90,000 worth of food from the government was at risk, due to a power outage, Central Maine Power got the freezer back online almost immediately. Before Tyson Foods closed down operations, they sent 2,000 pounds of chicken; the program froze some and passed the rest to the Green Ladle, which is feeding veterans and homeless during this crisis. Peter Ouellette LA METRO MAGAZINE digital edition @ LAMetroMagazine.com
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The silver lining for Roman is the tremendous growth of her employees. “The staff has become really creative in both the meal preparation and problem-solving,” she notes. They are also taking initiative, since Roman has to work from home. “But we do miss eating lunch with the kids.” Looking ahead, Roman believes it will be a long time before we see students return to lunchrooms; even if schools reopen, new protocols for numbers of children in one space may preclude cafeteria use. The nutrition program team is hard at work devising plans for how to continue to deliver food to children, no matter the circumstances.
Richard’s masks are ready for delivery years old; it was survival,” she says. “Now, with this need, I can use my talent. If there’s something that needs to be done, especially cooking or sewing, I jump in.” To get started, Richard researched face masks online, checked out several tutorials and chose one that would be best for most people. She recruited her husband as a live mannequin to get the fit right. She decided on making the face masks reversible, since most people would be wearing them constantly. As the requests have grown, she has expanded to making some with filter pockets and some fitted for children, as well.
Nancy Richard models one of her handmade masks while she sews
Nancy Richard: From finance to face masks It’s not just corporations and institutions making a difference in this health crisis. One great example of how individuals are making a difference is Nancy Richard, a resident of Androscoggin County who has made and donated over 400 face masks. Richard started by making a few face masks for family, then friends, and soon the quality and whimsy of her face masks put her sewing skills in high demand. “My sister and a lot of my friends are nurses,” explains Richard. “Initially, I made about 10 for them, then one thing led to another, and more family, friends, and co-workers were asking me for them. It’s something I can do to give back.” Richard grew up on a farm, where she learned to sew so that the family would have clothes. “I’ve been sewing since I was nine
People request her masks mostly because of the colorful and fun fabrics. “I am a quilter, so I have a ton of fabric,” she says. Richard reached out to other quilting friends to expand her collection, and tailors the choice of fabrics to the people ordering. She produces masks in batches, cutting fabric in bulk, then continuing through the five to six steps to completion. Richard was scheduled to retire in March from her long career in banking, but she decided to continue working at Mechanics Savings to offer some continuity through the pandemic. That means she leaves home at 6:30 a.m., gets home at 3:30 p.m., then sews an hour or two at night. On weekends, she rises early and spends six to seven hours working on face masks. She delivers the masks by bagging them in plastic, labeling each with the person’s name, and leaving them in her car at work for people to pick up. The growth of Richard’s face mask effort is due to word-of-mouth. “I know a lot of people,” she laughs. “I’ve lived here 20 years, being a local banker and an active member in the LA Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Auburn-Lewiston Rotary Breakfast Club.” Another Rotarian, Joanne Preble, has also been inspired to join the face mask production effort. The two women posted photos on Facebook and started getting more calls. They recently received an order for 50 face masks from the City of Auburn and fulfilled the order in one weekend. Richard does not charge for the face masks. “It never even occurred to me that I should charge money,” says Richard. “Then I received a check from a physician who explained he was good with a surgical knife, but he was useless with a sewing machine. He insisted I keep the money and use it for postage to fill mail requests.” She says any other payments will be donated to the High Street Congregational Church Food Pantry. Richard says that the most rewarding thing about her project is how appreciative people are to get the face masks. “When I give them out, I put a little note in them saying this is a gift of life,” she explains. “I think we are in an unprecedented time; people are scared and don’t know what to do. I can give someone peace of mind by giving them a gift of life, something they can wear to protect themselves and others.”
Richard sews one ofMAGAZINE hundreds of| SUMMER 2020 METRO 40 LA masks she has made
Sharing the good Boxes of hand sanitizer ready to ship
(Photo courtesy of The Sazerac Company)
COVID-19 changed our world, but not just in negative ways. As we all find our way through our new normal, there are stories of inspiration everywhere. Look around, reader, and you will undoubtedly see several examples of good.
Troy Brisbane & Jontay Polley pick up lunch from the Lewiston volunteers
If you have more local stories to share with us, please keep this story going by sharing on our Facebook page, using the hashtag
#LAMMfindthegood
Auburn Public Works employees wearing masks made by Nancy Richard Hunter Billings, Scott Holland, Walter Reynolds, Mackenzie Heathco, Hints Gish, DJ Sjostrom, & Shawn Marston
EXILES from Main Street New digs for Main Street Music Lessons Written by Michael Krapovicky | Photography by Jose Leiva
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ain Street Music Lessons is celebrating their 11th anniversary in 2020. Owners Steve Grenier and Arthur Melendy have made 33 Dunn Street in New Auburn their new headquarters. Teaching students in the same shared space, Grenier and Melendy have been a fixture in the LA community for over 30 years – continuing to exemplify excellence in teaching, and fostering the growth of their students.
Steve Grenier & Arthur Melendy in their retail space
Key notes Steve Grenier started playing guitar very early in his life, and has an unwavering dedication to playing and teaching stringed instruments including bass guitar and violin. After a year of lessons from Denny Breau, 16-year old Grenier was offered a position teaching guitar at Carroll’s Music Center in Lewiston in 1987. Breau had made the recommendation. “They gave me two students,” recalls Grenier. “Within two or three weeks, I had 20 students on my schedule.” In addition to his teaching duties, Grenier was trained in many aspects of instrument repair at Carroll’s, both on-the-job, and at the Galloup School of Lutherie in Michigan. Grenier is now a gold-level Fender-certified acoustic and electric guitar technician. Since his childhood, Arthur Melendy was all about music, playing piano since age five and trumpet since seven, as part of jazz and concert bands. After a short stint at New York’s SUNY Potsdam as a music theory major, and as a professional musician, Melendy was approached to work at Carroll’s in the late ’80s, first as salesman, then a music teacher. “It wasn’t long before I had a full schedule of students. That was the beginning of my serious teaching career,” Melendy muses.
Exiles from Main Street After Carroll’s Music Center closed in 2009, Grenier and Melendy decided it would be better to work together than to try to teach privately on their own. “When Carroll decided to close his doors, he told us we’d have five weeks left,” says Grenier. “We found our own place on Main Street in Auburn, funded it, did the renovations necessary, and at the end of the five weeks, we started students the following week. I don’t think they missed a day of lessons.” 44
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The two brought along Rich Keene, Sumner Elwell, and Troy Hanscom from Carroll’s, to teach under the auspices of the new venture. Darren Hicks became the office manager, as well as teaching bass and guitar lessons.
New digs Since 2009, Main Street Music Lessons (MSML) has offered music lessons, repairs, and basic sales. There always was the potential for growth, but the space was limited. On their 10th anniversary, Grenier and Melendy purchased a building on Dunn Street in Auburn that afforded them ample room to feature additional instrumental lessons, and allowing teachers to address groups of students, or form ensembles and bands. “We bought the space in October 2018, renovated for a few months, and then we officially opened April 19, 2019,” Grenier states. “We’ve been fortunate to have a really good relationship with our bank, and we were able to receive a small businesses grant.” Getting the building up to code and prepared for business was mostly handled by the employees of MSML, at the expense of their free time.
Melendy teaches a piano lesson
Main Street Music’s new location at 33 Dunn Street in Auburn “This last year has been a blur,” quips Melendy. The new space employs several full-time teachers, with Rose Skilling and Pete Richard added to the roster since their move to the new digs. They offer lessons in stringed instruments, piano and keyboard, band instruments, and music theory. “I am very fortunate to have both taken lessons and worked at Main Street Music,” asserts Josh Chessey, a guitar student who eventually worked for MSML part-time while attending high school. Now a 2020 graduate, Chessey takes with him valuable work experience as a result of his tenure there. “Everyone who works there is incredibly talented and kind. There’s not a better place around to go for lessons or repairs.”
Additions The new space has brought significant growth, as well as challenges. But the ambitious duo are still working on expansion.
“Being a business owner, keeping a full complement of students, and doing repairs has been a lot of work,” says Grenier. “We are adding two new studios; one is doubling as an ensemble room.” The two new studios give Main Street Music Lessons the opportunity to provide lessons previously unavailable to students: drums and percussion, and performance and rehearsal spaces. “Josh Caron, the percussion instructor at Edward Little High School, will be coming in when our studios are ready,” Grenier avows. “We’ll also be able to have the students get together to play, show them how to put a band together, have small orchestras, and choral performances.” “We don’t have a lot of red tape involved in doing outside concerts that we had at our other location,” maintains Melendy. “For our grand opening on Dunn Street, we had a stage set up out back with live performances.”
Service-based Main Street Music Lessons describe themselves as a service-based business, providing a valuable supplement to public music education, and seeking to broaden and enrich the lives of their students and the community at large. “We really focus on the kids, giving them ways to interact and communicate,” Grenier says of the lessons they give the students. “Studies have been done proving that music enhances brain activity and neural processing.” Main Street Music Lessons also services the school departments, providing instrument rental programs for the Lewiston Public Schools, and maintaining all the school band instruments. “We’ve got the business dialed in just about where we want it,” says Grenier. “It’s been a lot of work, but this is a facility Arthur and I see staying in the community after we retire. Someday we’d like to see someone buying the building from us and carrying on, with the teaching studios and staff still here.” Main Street Music Lessons 33 Dunn Street, Auburn • www.mainstreetmusiclessons.com
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CREATING HISTORY
celebrates 150 years Written by Michael Krapovicky | Photography by Brewster Burns
H
arriman is celebrating 150 years as the premier architecture and engineering firm in LA, in 2020. It is an incredible milestone rarely met by any company - a testament to their dedication to quality and exceeding customer expectation. Harriman buildings are ubiquitous on the main streets of most Maine cities, their structures gracing the LA landscape - and beyond - with timeless elegance. On June 1, Mark Lee and Jim Fortin officially became chief executive officer and chief operations officer, respectively, and the new management team seeks to maintain Harriman’s legacy of excellence. Through innovation, ingenuity, and invention, Harriman has had an enduring influence in shaping Maine’s urban environment for the past century-and-a-half.
George M. Coombs, Harry S. Coombs, two unknown draftsmen, Eugene J. Gibbs, and Harry C. Wilkinson, circa 1894 (Photo courtesy of Harriman)
History George Coombs began architectural practice in 1870, during the Industrial Revolution. With various partners, Coombs designed and created over fifty buildings in Lewiston, Auburn, and other cities in Maine, many of which still stand strong a hundred years later. “Opportunities arose because Lewiston Auburn was a thriving area that developed a strong merchant class,” newly appointed Chief Executive Officer Mark Lee relates. “That historic period built the solid reputation of the firm.” The name of the firm changed several times with Coombs’ coventures. He passed his interest down to his sons, Harry and Fred in 1909, and Alonzo Harriman, Coombs’ great-nephew, joined as partner in 1928. When Harry Coombs died in 1939, the firm acquired Alonzo’s full name. In 1985 they became Harriman Associates – reflecting the move from a sole proprietorship to a more corporate-structured entity.
Mark Lee 50
“Alonzo Harriman was a gifted designer, and a shrewd businessman as well,” states Lee. “He
LA METRO MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2020
grew the firm through the recovery after the Great Depression, up until the 1960s, when it became a thriving practice of architects and engineers. We live in the shadow of his legacy.”
A new era Alonzo Harriman was an active fellow in the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and was instrumental in pioneering design and construction standards of educational facilities, at one time serving as chairman for the AIA Committee on School Design and Standards. He was a sought-after expert and his work earned its place in the pages of such prestigious publications as Time magazine and Progressive Architecture. Harriman led his firm into a new era, diversifying into hospitals, schools, retail outlets, libraries, government structures, and numerous other project types.
Jim Fortin
“What’s amazing is Harriman has evolved constantly as a firm, in regards to the technology and skills necessary to compete in the marketplace,” says Lee. “The ability of Harriman to evolve and stay strong sets ourselves up for the future.”
By Michael Krapovicky | Photography by Brewster Burns | Harriman celebrates 150 years The firm provides architecture and engineering services, as well as urban design, planning, and landscape architecture, allowing for an all-inclusive process for building creation. The firm currently has four offices, located in Portland; Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Boston, Massachusetts; and their flagship office in Auburn, which the company designed for itself. Their team members utilize a high-tech infrastructure in order to meet their clients’ economic, regulatory, and community needs. “Because the diversity of employees and skills have evolved, we are no longer just Maine-based – we really have a foothold in New England as well,” Lee attests.
Structures of significance Throughout 150 years in practice, Harriman has developed some of Maine’s most recognizable structures, many of which have national and state landmark designations. The Dominican Block, at 143 Lincoln Street, was designed by Coombs in 1882, his first large-scale civic project. The five-story edifice served as a church and social center for the Franco-American population of LA. In 2014, Harriman was commissioned to renovate the structure to accommodate mixed-use functionality. The Dingley Building, on Oak Street in Lewiston, was designed by Coombs in 1887. The building was originally built as the Oak Street School and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Coombs’ original drawings helped to guide Harriman through the historically-accurate renovation of the exterior in 1989. New doors and energy-efficient windows were custom-made to appear identical to the originals. Bricks from the building’s attic were repurposed to assure conformity. “Both of those illustrate buildings that were in the fashion of the time but have longevity and are still solidly with us today,” asserts Lee. “The diversity of the styles share architectural merit – built so well, the bones of those buildings haven’t needed significant updates.” Kora Shrine Temple in Lewiston is one of the most iconic of Coombs’ designs. It was built in 1908 and is also included on the National Register list. The Temple also housed the main office for Coombs and his partner Eugene J. Gibbs. Harriman was commissioned to conduct a facility assessment in 2015, and an egress study in 2016. “Part of what Harriman is known for is being contemporary with design without being trendy, and so most buildings do stand the test of time. They really capture the timeless quality that makes architecture great,” says Lee. “There’s not a signature Harriman style, we reflect a sense of where it is in time, its location, all while respecting the aspirations of the client.”
Corporate restructuring With the appointment of Mark Lee and Jim Fortin, Harriman is endeavoring to depart from its past management organization. “I am thrilled to see Mark and Jim take the helm at Harriman,” says Clif Greim, former president of Harriman. “They are respected leaders in the architectural and engineering professions who exemplify Harriman’s dedication to creating value for our clients. Their depth of experience and passion for design excellence will strengthen our practice across our offices.” “Clif Greim was president of Harriman for 10 years, and did an amazing job,” Lee acknowledges. “What’s exciting about the new structure we have in place is that while Jim can support the ongoing operations of the company, we can continue to strengthen our practice on the business side, and also the vision for the future.” Lee strives for Harriman’s continued expansion into existing markets, based on Harriman’s storied philosophy of aesthetic integration into urban environments. “We continue to play an active role in developing sustainable solutions, preserving and conserving as much of our natural resources as we can,” explains Lee. “Our fundamental principles are resiliency and sustainability within the environment, and being highly cognizant of the types and amounts of materials in our buildings.”
Core values Deeply rooted in a culture of collaboration, Harriman embraces an interdisciplinary process that employs architects, engineers, and planners to create built environments. The firm has an unwavering commitment to deliver solutions that make the communities they serve better places to live, work, and learn. “People choose Harriman because they know the product will be of the highest quality,” ventures Lee. “Attention to the relationship with the client is extremely important, from the top, the leadership, down to the individual project managers.”
Bates College, University of Southern Maine (USM) LA, and Central Maine Community College (CMCC) campuses all feature Harriman projects. The firm has designed schools in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. “We have a commitment to education,” maintains Lee. “We were involved with the replacement of the Pettengill School, the Geiger School, the Connors School, and are working on the new Edward Little High School.” Harriman is responsible for the creation of over 200 buildings in LA to date. The Lewiston Auburn region remains a vital part of Harriman’s business and culture. “The diversity and history of our practice is best represented here in LA – we take a lot of pride in our community,” Lee avows. Kora Shrine Temple
Role in community Harriman has a deep-seated tradition of community involvement, not only through their architectural work, but fostering civic institutions and charitable organizations. Members of Harriman serve on municipal planning and historical preservation boards. Harriman has a long-standing involvement with The LA Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, throughout the tenure of Clif Greim, and h is predecessor Ed Cormier. Harriman is a supporter of the education system in Maine, sponsoring various organizations such as the Lewiston Education Foundation, and the CMCC Foundation. Harriman also mentors students from elementary through collegiate level. Clif Greim Historically, Harriman has placed great value on their employees within the workplace. Three people are retiring in 2020 from Harriman, including Darryl L. Johnson, with over 50 years of service. In 2014 and ‘15, Harriman was named to the “Best Places to Work in Maine” list by The Society for Human Resource Management. Seventy-five percent of the evaluation was based on employee surveys. These factors clearly indicate Harriman’s positive working environment. “The thing I appreciate most about Harriman is that they are a family-oriented company, allowing flexible work schedules if needed, and have generous benefits,” affirms Polly-Jean Mottram, with the Harriman marketing team since January 2004. “The greatest reward for me is to see a project that I was a part of at the beginning of the process come to life.” “We couldn’t be the firm we are if we didn’t have great people,” adds Lee.
150 years Harriman has many plans to commemorate the centennialand-a-half anniversary of their company. The company has commissioned Earle G. Shettleworth Jr. – former state historian appointed by then Governor John Baldacci – to compile a book of the history of Harriman. The work will contain photography, including works by renowned architectural photographer Ezra Stoller, and carefully scanned original drawings of Harriman buildings, capturing the breadth of their work over the last 150 years. Two related exhibitions, in Portland and in Lewiston, are planned as well.
“We share with the students what a career in architecture might be like,” Lee offers. “When someone expresses an interest in the architecture or engineering field, we invite them in - we do job shadowing and offer summer internships for college students.” L/A Arts and Tree Street Youth, local nonprofit institutions, also count Harriman as a benefactor. The firm takes great pride in bolstering the artistic community of LA. “It’s been a welcome opportunity to bring our skills to the greater community and nonprofits,” says Lee. “It’s a synergistic thing – we support the community, the community thrives, and that supports all of us.”
The future Harriman and the new management team of Lee and Fortin moves to continue to grow their practice. “We will always have a strong presence in this area, but we understand that in order to prosper in the future, we need to continue to seek to diversify both our practice and our location,” says Lee. “The future for Harriman is continuing growth and integration of our various practices, building geographically into a bigger player in the Massachusetts market.” The fifth-oldest design firm in the U.S., and still growing, Harriman’s future is clearly to remain preeminent in a competitive field. One only needs to view LA’s urban horizon to see the impact of Harriman’s legacy. Harriman 46 Harriman Drive, Auburn • harriman.com
“The exhibit of our work at USM’s Osher Map Library is tentatively scheduled to open on November 5th,” reports Mottram. “We’re hopeful to also have a smaller exhibit of LA work tentatively scheduled in September. Both events will include a lecture and presentation by Shettleworth. The LA event is to be held at the Agora Grand Event Center in Lewiston.” The company is hardly letting a global pandemic put a damper on the celebrations. “We also are planning a fun internal kickoff,” says Lee. “We created care packs with the company’s new 150 year logo - snacks, glasses, and other gifts, and we did an online toast to the company on May 22nd.” A larger party is in the works for an indefinite time in the future. The Dingley Building 52
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&
THEN
The Dominican Block
The Dominican Block, at 143 Lincoln Street, was designed by founder George M. Coombs in 1882. It was Coombs’ first attempt at a large scale civic endeavor. The five-story building in its early years served as a church and social center for Lewiston’s growing Franco-American population. Harriman was commissioned to design a renovation to the building for mixeduse in 2014. (Photo on left courtesy of Harriman)
Kora Shrine Temple The Kora Shrine Temple in Lewiston is one of the most iconic of Coombs’ designs. It was built in 1908 and is also included on the National Register of Historic Places. At the time, Coombs’ and Gibbs’ office was in this building. Harriman was commissioned to conduct a facility assessment in 2015 and an egress study in 2016. (Photo on left courtesy of Harriman)
Auburn City Hall Although not an original design by the firm founders, the City of Auburn’s Auburn Hall historic renovation and addition, completed in 2003, is a project Harriman completed as both a historic restoration and new innovative design. (Photos courtesy of Harriman)
Lewiston Public Library The Lewiston Public Library was originally designed by Coombs & Gibbs in 1902. (Photo on left courtesy of Harriman)
NOW
A look at some of Harriman’s most notable building designs
PROMOTION
THE FACES OF
FAMILY-OWNED REAL ESTATE LEADERS Fontaine Family Team
336 Center Street, Auburn 432 US Route 1, Scarborough
www.brendafontaine.com Claude Fontaine, Melissa Fontaine-Field, Crystal Fontaine-Bergeron, Angie Fontaine-Larochelle, Brenda Fontaine
Trust and respect According to Fontaine President and author of The Limitless Real Estate Leader – Building a Successful Business, Family, and Legacy, Brenda Fontaine, the secret to their success is simple: trust and respect for the team and theclients alike. “Investing in team members, helping them bring value to their professional and personal lives, inspiring them to explore outside the box – I love that!” She continues, “And if you do the right thing by your agents, they will do the right thing for their clients.”
FACES of
LA
Written by Donna Keene Rousseau Photography by Jose Leiva
This approach earned the Fontaine Family recognition as Maine’s Family-Owned Business of the Year in 2019, by the Institute of Family-Owned Business in Portland.
Family involvement Since 1983, The Fontaine Family team has grown organically, in direct response to client demand. Fontaine’s husband, Claude, and their daughter, Melissa, were the first to join her team as licensed assistants, managing the office, placing signage, and taking photos. Later, daughters Crystal and Angie, and sonsin-law Bill Bergeron and Clayton Larochelle, came aboard as buyer agents. In 2019, grandson Dustin Larochelle joined the team as an agent, starting the third generation of the Fontaine Family Team. Today, Fontaine’s daughters are full partners in the business. The licensed support team offers more than 150 combined years of real estate experience.
“The atmosphere in our offices is close-knit and the sense of family is palpable. I believe that is what makes us such a great team.” Fontaine is quick to gather all her team members and clients, many of whom have a long-standing history with Fontaine, under the umbrella of family. “Even with two locations, we are one family, one team, one mission: ‘to make a positive impact in the lives of those we serve and the community we love, by delivering an extraordinary client experience and achieving the best possible outcome for each client,’” she says. “Whatever the next chapters of our clients’ stories may be, we are the guides, helping them move forward.”
Freshen up your home
h t iw
Written by Casey Peacock | Photography by Chelsea Briggs
A
s you open the door to Stefanie Mahr Damien’s workshop, she calls from across the room, “Come on in, I am just finishing up a valance!� Follow her voice through an endless maze of fabric rolls and old furniture to find her sitting at a sewing machine. Damien is the owner of Refresh. A true DIYer with an eagle eye for interior design, she is helping bring both homes and businesses in her community to the next level with her skills and passion for all things decor.
with houses that are getting ready to hit the real estate market. For a house on the market to appeal to the broadest audience, staging a home that is ready to sell helps the house sell faster and for the most amount of money. “You want the house to have character, not personality,” she says. So when getting ready to stage a house, all personal items are removed, and Damien begins working on her to-do list. She creates a color palette that flows from room to room, and throughout the home, she places items that would help the homebuyer see it as their own.
Senior move manager With strong attention to detail and her organized and calm demeanor, Damien is also a self-taught senior move manager. This means she works with senior citizens who are starting the process of downsizing their belongings or who are getting ready to move into something smaller, like assisted living or a retirement community.
Stefanie Mahr Damien
A young designer Stef’s love for design started young. She was learning how to sew at just 11 years old, and often found herself rearranging her parents’ living room. She landed her first sewing job while just a senior in high school. It wasn’t until 1989 that she was able to take her talent and turn it into a career while living in Salem, Massachusetts. With the anticipation of being a stay-at-home mother, she wanted to do something that would allow her to be home. So she started taking appointments for alterations of prom dresses and wedding dresses. While living in a town like Salem, where costumes were popular and in high demand, she began designing them and sewing them, and it wasn’t long before Damien’s business took off. “I’ve reinvented myself several times,” she says. She’s had several different storefronts and workshops throughout Massachusetts but back in 2015, she moved to the Lewiston Auburn area. That’s when she decided to open up Refresh, and it has since blossomed into what it is today.
Setting the stage Picking the right color
Refresh is much more than just stitching dresses and sewing window valances, though. Damien also works
58 LA METRO MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2020 Players stand to honor our nation’s flag
Stef got started in move management in 2018 while assisting a couple in staging their home for the market. It turned out they needed a lot more help than just selling the house and soon realized she could help them through the entire moving process. It made Damien Damien reupholsters a chair realize that there may be more people out there who are too busy or don’t have family around and who could also use her help. Now nearly 20 percent of Refresh’s business is comprised of senior move management. When Damien starts a new project, she begins by putting together a to-do list. Her list consists of organizing yard sales and doing small touch up painting. She helps to decide what household items will move to the new home, and what things can sell or be donated. She comes up with a floor plan for the new house and is even present on the move-in day to direct movers on where to place the furniture. Even the smallest of details, like picking out new bedding, is all part of Damien’s list. For a recent client, Stef had to get creative. Her client wanted a space of his own, and while moving into something much more modest than the previous home, her client wasn’t sure it would be feasible. It was important for Damien to make sure her client had his space, a spot that was just for him, and that’s how the idea came to be about transforming a walk-in closet into a “man cave!” “It’s a gratifying feeling to help those who need it,” she says. Making her clients feel as much at home as possible is a goal that Damien aims to carry through with each client. Getting creative
and understanding that no two clients’ needs are the same, and some may be challenging, but she is confident of finding a solution that works for even the most unique situations.
DIY Stef also finds the time to host several classes at her workshop throughout the week. These workshops freshen up the commodities people already have lying around the house. Damien and her partner, Karen Pelletier, offer workshops on crafts like sign making and painting furniture as well as upholstery classes with household items like dining chair covers and footstools. She hosts a BYOP/BYOB, or “Bring your own project/ bring your own beverage,” and there’s the Color Your World Wednesday event hosted at Sherwin Williams, where you can bring pictures of your current projects, and get insights to different color palettes specific to your project.
Putting the pieces together
We Need Houses to Sell! Jon Mercier Owner/Broker
Mark Turner Owner/Broker
Toni Ferraro Broker
Karen Pelletier
Refresh is a lot of things: everything from window treatments to color analysis to upholstery, and painting projects, senior downsizing, and home staging. It’s genuinely unique in itself, but what sets Refresh apart is undoubtedly Damien herself.
Brandon Caruso Associate Broker
Deb Morin Associate Broker
She no longer stitches dresses or takes on alterations. Still, when she isn’t working with senior clients or staging a house, she is sewing pillow throws and furniture slipcovers or working on repair projects like boat seating and boat coverings. “Design is like a puzzle, and you just have to find all the pieces,” Damien says.
Zach Caldwell Sales Agent
Linda Dupuis Broker
Regina Ritchie Associate Broker/ Administrator
A project favorite thus far was the opportunity to work on the reproduction of an authentic Chippendale fabric on an actual Chippendale Sofa. She’s says it was the most mathematically and physically challenging reupholstery project she’s ever had. “It was a great puzzle!” she exclaims. It’s real passion she puts into the projects she brings to life, and with her enormous desire to help others, Damien has one goal in mind: “to help you bloom wherever you are planted.” Refresh 550 Lisbon Street, Lewiston • refresh207.com
CALL NOW:
259 Minot Avenue, Auburn mainesourcehomes.com
207-333-6001
Treating people, not the disease Written by Toby Haber-Giasson | Photography by Jose Leiva
Patrick Dempsey (Photo provided by the Dempsey Center)
Highlighting the good work of nonprofit organizations in the LA community.
I
magine getting the news no one wants to hear: cancer. Modern medicine can treat the disease, but how do you live with it?
For over a decade, the Dempsey Center has offered answers.
LA METRO MAGAZINE digital edition @ LAMetroMagazine.com
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Yoga class
(Photo provided by the Dempsey Center)
Treat the person, not the disease The Dempsey Center’s mission is “to make life better for people managing the impact of cancer.” Their no-cost services support healing and symptom management by addressing the emotional, mental, and physical needs of cancer patients and survivors, their caregivers, and family members of all ages. The Dempsey Center (DC) provides a wide range of evidencebased cancer support services including massage and acupuncture, counseling and support groups, and nutrition and fitness classes. “People often say, ‘I can manage my life better now,’” relates DC Communications Manager, Nancy Audet. “What an amazing difference that makes in someone’s quality of life.”
Impetus Turner natives Patrick Dempsey and his sisters, Mary and Alicia, watched their mother, Amanda Dempsey, battle ovarian cancer on and off for 17 years.
Southern Maine, it’s easy to miss what makes Dempsey unusual, among cancer support centers. “We are fairly unique in our offerings,” says Tardif proudly. How so? Most of DC’s direct service staff have special certification or training in oncology, making them well-suited to work with this population. “For instance, our fitness specialist, who has oncology-specific training, oversees all of our movement classes,” notes Tardif. “The same is true of our registered dietitian running our nutrition program.” Providers of other services, like massage therapy, acupuncture, and counseling, also have special training in the unique needs of oncology patients. “Chemotherapy and radiation therapy have a lot of side effects,” Tardif explains. “We can help lessen those side effects. As an
“My mother never gave up,” he recollects. “She was a fighter all the way.” He turned to Central Maine Medical Center, the hospital where his mother was first treated, to create a resource for people diagnosed with cancer. “Peter Chalke, then-CEO of Central Maine Health Care (CMHC), was instrumental in the launch of the center in 2008,” says Wendy Tardif, DC’s long-time executive director. “CMHC brought its resources and know-how to the effort.” Founder Patrick Dempsey brought his famous name, and his focus on wellness, to the organization. As Dempsey often says: “We treat the person, not the disease.” Besides his prominent role in the annual Dempsey Challenge fundraiser, he also serves enthusiastically on the board of directors.
Dempsey’s difference A merger with the Cancer Community Center in 2018 gave the Dempsey Center two locations, in Lewiston and South Portland. Already fixtures in the wellness communities of Central and 62
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Wendy Tardif
year? Dedicated volunteers, from all walks of life and professional endeavors, assist staff members, so staff can support clients. Volunteer Coordinator Michelle Small has spearheaded a pathway that allows DC to incorporate committed volunteers to complement the work of staff, through a careful training program. Since 2019, 100 such volunteers have been trained. “We are looking to plug people in at all levels of the organization,” says Small, “leveraging their talents and skills.” DC also runs the Maine Cancer Mentors program. The Cancer Community Center developed this program for cancer survivors throughout the state, and brought it to DC through their 2018 merger. To date, 60 trained mentors have been matched to newly diagnosed patients, to offer peer-to-peer support. Client Program Director Lisa Balsam relaxes in a space named “Amanda’s Garden” example, side effects like nausea, pain, and neuropathy can be treated with acupuncture.” DC brings some national training and certifications in oncology onsite for its staff and other professionals the community. DC’s most requested service is one-on-one counseling, whereby licensed professionals help people adjust to their cancer diagnosis, as well as other adjustments along the way, including possible recurrence and bereavement. DC’s support groups are also professionally facilitated. Professional counseling is also offered to caregivers and family members, including youth. “Our Healing Tree program is unique because our clinical professionals help families deal with cancer’s impact,” says Tardif. “The youth we serve are impacted by a loved one’s cancer, such as a sibling, parent, or grandparent. There are few resources for this underserved population.”
Vital volunteers With a small staff, covering two physical locations and virtual services, how does DC meet the needs of over 4,000 clients each
Fundraising If services at the Dempsey Center are free to users, how is the work funded? From the start, DC established a popular fundraiser that would help the center to become self-sustaining. Since Patrick Dempsey favored promoting his interest in wellness over his actor celebrity, the first Dempsey Challenge in 2009 was a single-day run/walk/ cycle event modeled on early Livestrong challenges; it raised
Volunteer Positions at the Dempsey Center • Cancer mentors* • Client Services Assistants* • Operations & Facilities Assistants* • Reiki Practitioners* • Orientation Ambassadors*
• Wig Consultants • Workshop Volunteers • Plant Specialists • Community Garden • Operations • Knitters & Sewers
Volunteer positions are posted online at www.dempseycenter.org/volunteer-2/ *Only positions available during COVID
Judy Donnelly, RDN, LD teaches a cooking class (Photo provided by the Dempsey Center) LA METRO MAGAZINE digital edition @ LAMetroMagazine.com
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$500,000. In 2010, a two-day event raised nearly $1 million. “Our goal for the last few years has been to diversify our funding base, expanding our other pathways for raising funds,” says Tardif. The annual Dempsey Challenge provides roughly 35 percent of DC’s budget. The other 65 percent comes from individual donors, corporate partners, community fundraising events, and grants.
NOW HIRING Strong Entry Level Talent
Current circumstances should teach us that nothing is forever; this year’s Dempsey Challenge will, out of necessity, look very different. ™
•
Do you have the drive to learn technical Learn to be a trained & certified support technician skills?
• 40 hour flexible work schedule Presented By
This year, the Dempsey Center’s primary fundraising event will be held virtually! Using world-class fitness platforms Strava and Zwift, participants will log the miles they walk, run, or cycle, while raising money to support the work of the Dempsey Center. Teams and individuals can “unlock” prizes and incentives based on the miles logged and amount raised. The fundraising minimum has been waived for this year’s event in favor of a suggested voluntary donation of $20. As always, all funds raised go directly towards support services for individuals and families impacted by cancer.
FMI see DempseyChallenge.org
• Entry level paid technical training • Remote positions available for social distancing measures
Apply online: www.carbonite.com
PAIN RELIEF and relaxation through massage
Third center DC has adapted to our current reality, during the pandemic, by providing nearly all services virtually. “It was amazing to watch the team go from zero to almost our full repertoire of programs,” says Lisa Balsam, Client Program Director. DC’s online platform is delivering everything from counseling, nutrition, and fitness consultations to yoga and cooking classes. “These virtual services will not go away,” says Tardif. “We are calling it our ‘third location ’– and it’s here to stay.”
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Ironically, this has been a longtime goal for founder Dempsey, as a way to make DC’s resources available to an even greater number of people impacted by cancer, especially those in rural Maine.
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”The shift to virtual services is a silver lining,” notes Dempsey. “The pandemic got us there faster.” Dempsey Center 29 Lowell Street, Lewiston • DempseyCenter.org
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207-576-4455 maryannestherapeuticmassage.com Maryanne McNally, LMT
HOPE IS ESSENTIAL Children with critical illnesses are waiting. Wishes are still happening. So our event is still on. This year will have a big asterisk next to it. We’re in hopes they have relaxed the guidelines by then and we can have more than 50 people attend, but if not we have a plan for that, too. Stay tuned...
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