LA Metro Magazine - Winter 2023

Where the most advanced technology, a healing environment, and world class medicine meet. Visit cmhc.org/cancercare for more information. 17 High Street, Lewiston, Maine 04240

PHOTOGRAPHY BY LINDSAY TIERNEY

Family can be complicated, but family is everything. Sometimes I can lose sight of that with my busy schedule. Sometimes, I just know that my family will be there and I don’t make them the priority that I should. Work, schedules, events... often seem to be the priority in my life. I know I’m not alone in this behavior.

Though I’m not a resolutions person, I find the start of a new year a good time to reflect on the prior year and where I can improve, both personally and professionally. Each year, I always challenge myself to make more time for family... each year I fail at that goal. This year, I am determined to be successful – writing it here for thousands to see will help keep me accountable!

While working on this issue of LA Metro Magazine, I noticed that so many of our stories have a family aspect to them. Our cover story, “Steve Roop, The man of many cheers,” delves into the impact that he had on this community, while being driven by family support and encouragement. This impact is vividly apparent with the multitude of business tribute advertisements remembering Steve. After Steve’s unexpected passing in September of this past year, Roopers is staying a family business.

We also feature Bedard Pharmacy & Medical Supplies celebrating 125 years in business in 2023. This family business is transitioning to the next generation of leadership and has managed to stay thriving and growing, despite several large box store pharmacies being available.

We also highlight The Village Pizzeria, Springworks, and JT Woodworks, which are all family owned businesses.

In 2023, I challenge everyone to make more time for family. Whether it is blood family or chosen family – make your people your everything.

Happy New Year! Be kind and well, everyone.

TYLA DAVIS Editor-in-Chief

Pam is officially 100% back. Deciding not to go back to the hopping streets of Dallas (sometimes the hopping isn’t all it’s cracked up to be), she has made her seat at Uncle Andy’s Digest and LA Metro Magazine as Publisher and Editorial Director full time. The magazines feel like home and she is excited to be working with everyone here and those in the community. When Pam isn’t working you can find her walking her dog, hiking, visiting friends and family, or at her favorite restaurants and watering holes.

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.

CONTRIBUTORS

T.S. is a native of Lewiston who first aspired to become a writer during her sophomore year at Lewiston High School. She has written for a variety of local Maine newspapers and publications since 2006.

Community and growth are of particular interest to this local music aficionado, and she enjoys fitness, beachcombing, whiskey and wine tastings, as well as travel and time with family and friends.

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, educational, and government clients. It was, as things have turned out, the perfect gift.

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.

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.

A Pennsylvania native, Jillian moved to Maine from Dallas, Texas, with her husband and two toddler daughters in August of 2020.

Her lifelong love of the written word began with writing short stories and poems at the age of six, eventually leading to the creation of her own company, EleGrant Writing Services. Jillian is a Major Gifts Specialist at the Center for Grieving Children by day and enjoys live music, books, and creative writing.

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.

She writes, she runs, pats all the dogs, loves beer, and plays the ukulele... badly.

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 graduated in 2015 with a degree in photography and digital workflow. Shortly afterwards, she opened her own portrait studio, Creativeones Photography.

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.

Mark has called Lewiston home since he was 14. He grew up marveling at the images in Sports Illustrated and graduated from the University of MaineAugusta with an Associate of Arts Degree in Photography. As a freelancer, he’s had over 100 photos published in the Sun Journal and was the staff photographer for the LA Forecaster, Oxford Plains Speedway, and CMCC basketball. Mark is the morning show host on 105.5 WIGY and a decade into performing and producing standup comedy.

PAM ASHBY editorial director/writer BREWSTER BURNS photographer T.S. CHAMBERLAND writer

DAVID FULLER photographer

MICHAEL KRAPOVICKY writer

SARA POULIN writer

JOSE LEIVA photographer

NICOLE RAND photographer

JILLIAN NETHERLAND writer

MARK TURCOTTE photographer

PROS who KNOW

HOSTING AN ELABORATE WEDDING WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK

Jaclyn Berry, Director of Sales & Marketing copy written by Natalie Pollock, General Manager

The Hilton Garden Inn Auburn Riverwatch is located on the Auburn Riverwalk with a vista of the roaring falls. The g orgeous scenery is best enjoyed from the panoramic view that the Riverwatch Grand Ballroom offers, with over 4,000 square feet of private event space.

Jaclyn Berry has been integral in assisting brides to plan their perfect day, from hosting their wedding ceremony and reception to ensuring that every detail is considered and planned thoughtfully Jaclyn and her team ensure you receive the opportunity to choose the season that best reflects your wedding. Whether you envision a summer or fall outdoor wedding with the falls as your backdrop or a grand ballroom style ceremony in the winter or spring, every vision can accommodate up to 280 guests.

Why choose to have your wedding at the Hilton Garden Inn Auburn Riverwatch? Jaclyn says, “You can host a lavish r ehearsal dinner, ceremony, reception, and farewell brunch for under $15,000! Your guests can stay comfortably in the hotel, so no need to shop for shuttles. In fact, the happy couple receives their suite for free when you host your event with us! We have a built-in dance floor, our own full service restaurant, is situated within walking distance to local Auburn restaurants, and we are pleased to assist with our preferred vendors for anything else

you may need. In short, we take all of the stress out of planning and allow the couple to simply make their choices. We take it from there! Our banquet coordinator is on-site all day on the big day to ensure that every detail is taken care of.”

Jaclyn’s team has a special list of preferred vendors to assist with customizing your day, such as Jonathan Morris, Owner & Lead Photographer for JMORR Photography, who shared, “Through my experience, I can ensure that whether you choose to host a large event or intimate ceremony, the setting at the Hilton Garden Inn Auburn Riverwatch provides ample space for beautiful photography. I love the availability for indoor and outdoor creativity to capture the best moments with your bridal party and wedding guests. JMORR Photography is proud to work with diligent and caring people like Jackie, who make sure every wedding is perfect!”

One of the other special features that the Hilton Garden Inn Auburn Riverwatch offers is the ability to customize. J aclyn and the catering team work together with each couple individually to choose the perfect arrangements. Infinite options range from upscale passed hors d’oeuvres, chef attended carving stations, elegant customized linen colors, and upscale liquor choices to casual buffet style entrees, cash bar, and plenty of dancing!

ABOUT THE PRO

JACLYN BERRY was recently promoted to the role of Director of Sales & Marketing from her prior role at the hotel as the Catering Sales Manager. Her leadership roles in the hospitality industry began in Philadelphia, where she detailed and led large scale marketing events for up to 10,000 people, managed elegant catered weddings, and constructed personalized menus and floor plans for clients. Jaclyn’s love for her hometown of Auburn brought her home to Maine where she has been able to apply all of her high-end skills to the Hilton Garden Inn Auburn Riverwatch.

Lewah_DS@hilton.com 207-514-2211

Photo courtesy of JMORR Photography

Garage to Grocer, the Freshest Lettuce

It may be hard to imagine that the largest aquaponics greenhouse in the Northeast, producing just slightly less than two million heads of lettuce each year, began with a horse trough and some PVC piping in a garage in Montana; however, that’s exactly how Springworks was born.

Written by Jillian Netherland | Photography by David Fuller

Big Sky Goals

“Trevor always had an entrepreneurial spirit,” says Sierra Kenkel, Vice President of Springworks and sister of Springworks President, Trevor Kenkel. “Our parents held a Christmas party each year, and he would sell baked goods to raise money or simply ask guests for donations in support of different environmental organizations.”

This natural, deep care for the environment led Trevor to his mission of finding a better way to grow produce. While fishing at a local creek, Trevor noticed the water was discolored, and the fish had become less prevalent. Upon further investigation, he learned these changes resulted from chemical runoff from a canola farm, eventually killing the creek’s frogs and fish and ultimately inspiring Trevor to research and experiment with alternative approaches to growing and farming produce.

“Keeping our produce organic to prevent damaging the nutritional value of the plants was important from the start; however, Montana weather is harsh, with only a few months out of the year to grow with soil,” explains Sierra. Undeterred, Trevor took matters to the family garage, building their first horse trough and PVC piping aquaponics system. “It was a lot of trial and error to get to that point, but eventually, it worked so well that we had heads of lettuce, tomatoes, herbs, peppers, and even a lemon tree growing in the garage.”

Out of the garage, into the greenhouse

Trevor was a 19-year-old freshman at Bowdoin College when Springworks was officially founded. When an injury led Trevor to take a gap year from school, he put his energy into bringing the original idea of Springworks to life – pitching to investors, finding land, and working out logistics, including easy trucking access, and a regional approach to localizing lettuce with a focus on serving broader New England.

“Growing organic, local lettuce for our region means we offset lettuce that would have been shipped thousands of miles across the country,” shares Trevor. “This reduces emissions and food waste and means fresher greens for our customers.”

Not your average fish bowl

How exactly does Springworks produce lettuce year-round without the use of soil? The surprising but simple answer is fish, specifically tilapia. These fish become the driver of nutrients by making fertilizer for the lettuce, which then recirculates the water back to the fish with the support of a UV filter and mechanical and bio-filtration systems. This method of production, known as aquaponics, requires all parameters to be in check through a detailed control system managing humidity and temperature, proving invaluable when resulting in a consistent product, regard-

Sierra and Trevor Kenkel

less of weather, time of year, and other variables that cannot be controlled.

“We grow lettuce using an ecosystem approach, where organisms work together to create the best growing conditions for organic lettuce,” Trevor explains. Not only is this method efficient, it’s also conservation-friendly, resulting in a 95% decrease in water and a 20-times increase in productivity from conventional farming.

“Agriculture accounts for 70% of the world’s freshwater consumption and the largest use of land,” shares Emily Donaldson, Director of Business Development at Springworks, adding, “Creating such a productive system by utilizing so much less creates huge potential to change the status quo.”

Like all decisions made by the Springworks team, choosing tilapia was intentional. In addition to the large volume of research conducted to understand the fish, tilapia is a staple in many households, with local options for consumers mindful of traceability and supporting local foods.

“We are currently working on retail-specific options for tilapia,” shares Sierra. “We are looking into selling them as fillets in local seafood cases, and we should see this on the market very soon.”

At a grocer near you

Although tilapia fillets won’t be for sale in local retailers until early 2023, Springworks lettuce can be found at several local

establishments throughout the LA area, including Blackie’s Farm Fresh Produce, Axis Natural Foods, and the Lewiston and Auburn Hannaford locations.

“We have been able to step in as a consistent grower of a consistent product for retailers,” states Sierra. “For example, we can replace conventional greens like romaine that are subject to massive recalls because we grow in a clean and sustainable way.”

What began as a teenager’s experiment in a garage halfway across the country is now a 66,000 square-foot farm spanning three facilities, with plans to grow by half a million square feet over the next six years.

The sky is still the limit

“As we look to add our fourth and largest greenhouse next summer, we are excited to bring about 40 new jobs to Maine and our community,” says Trevor. This addition of a fourth greenhouse will significantly impact Springworks’ output, allowing them to produce 5 million heads of lettuce and 315,000 pounds of tilapia each year – all from Lisbon, Maine.

“We are so lucky to be in the community we are,” adds Emily. “Maine is known for local craft foods and produce, and we can really help bring quality food identity to leafy greens in Maine.”

Springworks 347 Lisbon Street, Lisbon • springworksfarm.webflow.io

Tilapia tanks

(Photo courtesy of Springworks)

By Jillian Netherland | Photography by David Fuller | Springworks

There’s More in the Woodworks

Written by Michael Krapovicky | Photography by Jose Leiva

Providing ‘handcrafted custom products for your home, office or commercial space’ is the slogan of Jeremy and Amparo Randall, a Lewiston couple with an artisanal hand and entrepreneurial spirit.

From shelving to board games – all customizable to their customer’s specifications – the Randalls have cultivated a lifelong hobby into a successful Maine business.

Starting point

Jeremy Randall learned the woodworking trade from his father, who built their childhood home in Waterboro, Maine. Finish carpentry really piqued Jeremy’s interest.

“My dad showed me how to use tools and build things properly,” says Jeremy. “As an adult, I made things for around the house –toy boxes, armoires, and such.”

He attended the University of Maine at Farmington, studying mathematics and computer science, becoming a software and web developer by trade. Yet woodworking always brought him significant gratification. Serendipitously, Jeremy sold a wooden craft he’d created on eBay, sparking the idea that would become JT Woodworks.

Partners

Jeremy met California native Amparo Maldonado-Pacheco online. Amparo holds a Bachelors Degree in Communicative Disorders from California State University – and was in the process of obtaining a Master’s in Speech Pathology – until the couple decided to marry, eventually settling in Lewiston.

“It was a very difficult move – I had never seen snow, being from California!” recalls Amparo. “It took a while to acclimate.”

Similar to her future husband, Amparo was intrigued by woodworking at a young age, and was imparted knowledge and skills from family members. Jeremy shared his passion for woodcraft with Amparo, and gradually, the two began moving more seriously into monetizing their products.

“I passed on my knowledge to Amparo over the years, and now she’s really surpassed me, with her own way of doing things,”

Amparo rips a board to make a sampling flight.

says Jeremy. “We’ve been to seminars on woodworking techniques, but most of our learning has been hands-on.”

Amparo began to take more responsibility for the operation of the corporation. She was able to research how to grow their business, and how to develop an online presence.

Wares

JT Woodworks has a shelving line – where one can choose the dimensions, paint or stain color, and the type of wood – for their shelves. They also have diversified into branded bar-ware for food presentation or preparation, flights, cutting boards, coasters, and the like. Their newest line of products are games: cribbage boards, puzzles, and things that can be made simply and provide entertainment.

“At the Lewiston Craft Fair last spring, we offered cribbage boards shaped as Pac-Man or the Millennium Falcon,” says Jeremy. “The interest in the games was off the charts, and we knew we were on to something when we completely sold out.”

That led the Randalls to search for popular games in the 1800s and the turn of the century.

Jeremy & Amparo Randall

“People were going crazy over them,” says Jeremy. “We enjoy seeing people have fun with things we’ve created.”

Personally engraved

Most of the Randall’s customers, such as Allagash Brewing Company and Odd Alewives Farm Brewery, are requesting customizable products.

“If they are reaching out to us, they want something specific – a certain shape, logos displayed – they want that collaboration with us,” asserts Jeremy. “A lot of times they don’t know exactly what they want – we send them examples, and they may say ‘something between these two would fit our needs.’”

JT Woodworks customization options give their customers an opportunity to display their products in a unique way, to be compet itive in their respective markets. They had partnered with a laser engraver who left the business, so the Randalls acquired one.

“The fact that they have an idea, and it comes to life, makes it an even more special gift,” Jeremy explains. “They can buy flights and things for much cheaper online, but we allow them to have something really tailored for their restaurant.”

Jeremy drills the wells for glassware.

By Michael Krapovicky | Photography by Jose Leiva |

Trade shows can be a place for inspiration.

“We have found craft fairs have been very valuable,” says Jeremy. “Someone will ask for a certain product – a game we may not

have heard of; whatever idea they have, we’ll come back to the workshop and experiment.”

According to the Randalls, sometimes the product is a one-off, and other times it becomes a very popular item.

“We have a good niche,” says Amparo. “When we attended Bonny Eagle’s craft fair, there was nothing like what we were making.”

The Future

Now that they’ve developed a more directed product line, JT Woodworks’ focus for the coming year will be more outreach.

“We are a small artisanal business from Lewiston, that’s all we’re trying to be, yet there’s a worldwide client base for us,” Amparo says. “The Maine brand helps, having the ‘Lewiston’ stamp.”

Expansion plans are also on the horizon.

“We’d love to move our base of operation into a mill building, and in the coming year, we plan to contact local Realtors and see what options we have in the area to move into,” says Jeremy. “We’ve proven stuff is working, so we feel the risk is low enough that it makes sense.”

Being a more invested part of LA business initiatives is imperative for JT Woodworks, especially to Amparo as a Mexican-American female woodworker.

“I want to put on workshops in our local schools, a woodworking class for young women in the community,” Amparo affirms. “I would love to find people of my gender and cultural background who have this interest, and show that there are options in this field.”

JT Woodworks jtwoodworksme.com • www.facebook.com/jtwoodworksme

Customers can play cribbage on a custom JT Woodworks board at Craft Brew Underground in Auburn.

SPONSORED BY Evergreen Subaru, Mechanics Savings, Twin City Times

by Yussef El Guindi by The Goodale Brothers

Written by T.S. Chamberland | Photography by David Fuller

When you’ve been around for 125 years, numerous defining moments are bound to mark that timeline. In Lewiston Auburn, Bedard Pharmacy & Medical Supplies have repeatedly set themselves apart from their competition. From expanding the business to adding technological aspects, the Nadeau family and their staff are always finding ways to solidify their place as the last remaining independent pharmacy in the area. The latest notable event –consolidating the retail pharmacy on College Street in Lewiston to the Minot Avenue location in Auburn – occurred on November 23rd, bringing all three divisions of the company under one roof.

The life of a local pharmacy

Bedard’s history goes back to 1898 and has evolved over the past 12-and-a-half decades. That’s a business life that spans three centuries. The Nadeau family started their journey when Alcide Nadeau, Michael Nadeau’s father, bought the pharmacy in 1967. In 1997, Michael and his wife Annette purchased the business from his father. And in 2001, there was a division of the business into pharmacy and medical supplies. A year later, the Senior Care Pharmacy (formerly Long-term Care Pharmacy) was added, giving Bedard a three-tiered approach to meeting the community’s health and wellness needs.

“As Annette and I were growing the business, we wanted to expand our corner store pharmacy,” says Michael.

The company has seen its share of milestones from a pharmacy and classic soda shop to a thriving business with three divisions designed to assist customers and patients along life’s medical needs journey. And if the Nadeau family has anything to say about it, they’re just getting started.

“I remember when we first bought the business, I had put up some signs across the street, Channel 6 had come to do a story,

and I was talking with the reporter,” Michael shares. “I said we’re going to make it to 100 years and then some.”

“There have been so many changes and advancements in the past 125 years,” says Chris Nadeau, Director of Pharmacy. “It will be interesting to see what the next 125 years bring.”

Having lived in the Lewiston area his whole life – from childhood and school years to raising his own kids in the community –Michael has long been in touch with the community’s needs. The company provides the unique understanding and compassion that only a local business can extend, and that connection with the community is essential to continuing to do business as part of it. It also impacted the decision to consolidate the pharmacy from College Street to the Bedard building on Minot Avenue in Auburn on November 23, 2022.

By having all three divisions of the business under one roof, the company is also better poised to provide the service they are known for, all while continuing to strategically grow each area of focus and bring that neighborhood pharmacy and medical supplies culture to even more people across New England.

“One of the things we heard the most was there was no parking,” says Chris of the Lewiston location. “Moving the pharmacy records to Auburn just made sense for a lot of reasons.”

When considering the Minot Avenue location, there were several out-of-town and out-of-state options that were explored, but ultimately, Michael says it was important to him to remain in Lewiston Auburn to continue providing top-notch care and service to the community he loves. With a majority of the medication being delivered these days, particularly since the pandemic, it made even more sense to consolidate the pharmacy to the Auburn location since all deliveries are filled at that building.

“Sometimes, the only person that some of our patients see is one of our delivery drivers or a representative from one of my companies,” explains Michael. “How could I pull that away from the community?”

Bedard has also chosen to keep their delivery service free to ensure they don’t eliminate this vital aspect from any customer

Front: Annette Nadeau and Mike Nadeau

Back: Matt Nadeau, Chris Nadeau, Sean Andrews, Ben Nadeau

Merrill Nadeau, Mike Nadeau’s step-grandfather, was the first generation Nadeau pharmacist.

By T.S. Chamberland | Photography by David Fuller | Bedard Pharmacy

demographic. While Michael says it has been a challenge to maintain no charge for that service, they’ve been doing it for a long time and will continue to offer it for as long as they can.

At the heart of why people continue to choose Bedard for their medicinal and medical equipment needs are the employees. There are numerous industry designations and certifications held by Bedard staff members, and through the Bedard Give Back program employees are encouraged to donate to a local charity that means something to them. Bedard matches these donations, and according to Bedard’s marketing manager, Mariah Belanger, in 2022 $1,636 was donated, demonstrating their commitment to the community.

“The atmosphere is just a good culture,” describes Michael. “And that spreads over to our customers, our patients, and everybody – they feel it as well.”

Specializing in meeting customers’ medical needs

The three divisions that make up the company, Bedard Pharmacy, Bedard Medical Supplies, and Bedard Senior Care, make it possible for the business to service and assist their customers from beginning to end of life. And their extensive experience means they know what works and when to make improvements.

The neighborhood pharmacy, while traditional for a local business, expanded its delivery service to a 25-mile radius and increased the staff – two important aspects that help them meet the needs of the customers they serve.

“We continue to provide that local feel,” Ben Nadeau, CEO, adds. “Also, we are exploring ways to help people care at home through multi-dose medication packaging.”

“We offer more than pharmaceuticals,” Michael states.

Bedard Medical Supplies handles home health needs with equipment rentals, equipment repair, free delivery, education on how to use medical equipment, and certified fitters. They supply breast pumps, specialized beds and accessories, diabetic supplies, compression wear, and much more. Bedard Medical is one of the few remaining medical equipment providers that still sets equipment up and explains how to use it, something Michael and Ben agree is a big focus for the company.

“The medical supplies area focuses more on the refillable items like incontinence, urological, and ostomy supplies; things customers and patients need regularly,” explains Ben.

Sean Andrews, Finance Director, says that the company’s referral sources like having access to a local company that is able to handle supplies and equipment for their patients and customers. And this area is one they are continuing to grow across multiple states, not just in Maine, according to Ben.

Bedard Senior Care is a closed shop pharmacy, meaning they work specifically with nursing homes and residential care facilities to meet the needs of their patients. Once the Minot Avenue location was built, Senior Care moved to the new building to accommodate deliveries and has since grown substantially from the few nursing homes they served initially.

“Now our senior care pharmacy services well over 300 facilities in the state and is rapidly still growing,” says Belanger.

Through the Years

1898 – The beginning.

1967 – Nadeau family buys the business (originally 4 partners).

1980s – The pharmacy goes digital.

1990s – The first website for Bedard launches.

1997 – Mike and his wife Annette buy the business from his father.

2001 – The business splits into two divisions: Bedard Pharmacy and Bedard Medical Supplies.

2002 – A third division is added: Bedard Senior Care (formerly Long-term Care Pharmacy).

2004 – A robot for prescription filling is added.

2022 – Bedard Medical makes Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Independent Business list and Bedard Pharmacy relocates solely to Minot Avenue, Auburn.

2023

Celebrating 125 years of being a Maine neighborhood pharmacy.

Bedard pharmacy offers multi-medication packaging options for those living independently and those in care facilities, making consistent, correct dosage easier to maintain for patients with cognitive impairments, Mariah explains. Bedard Senior Care offers a variety of medication packaging options with flexible fill cycles, medication take back and disposal, a secure portal, transitional care services to support independent living, and multiple channels to submit refills.

“Despite the branding, our Senior Care pharmacy serves more than just the senior population,” explains Chris.

A number of facilities utilize this division, according to Chris. And the size of those facilities varies greatly, which makes meeting their needs and providing the right level of care something that can’t be done with a one-size fits all solution.

“We service assisted living, nursing homes, behavioral health, and supported housing programs,” explains Ben. “We are continuing to grow and adapt to the needs of that industry through the different types of medication packaging – a type of concierge service to help these facilities be able to care for their patients.”

Strategic growth is key

As chain pharmacies were moving into the area, other independent pharmacies were struggling or closing. Michael and Annette knew they needed to diversify if their business was going to survive. Their standing as the last independent pharmacy operating in Lewiston Auburn is evidence that the decision to diversify paid off.

“We had to set ourselves apart from everybody else,” explains Michael. “That’s when we decided to form those other entities.”

While making sure Bedard would stay in business and grow were key reasons for adding Bedard Medical and Bedard Senior Care, the Nadeau’s other focus was on their community and how it would benefit from all the business has to offer. Providing services that meet a full spectrum of needs, Bedard is able to help patients, as well as caregivers, parents, children, and care facilities, meet the needs of the patient consistently and effectively.

“I want to be able to service my customer, my patient, whomever, from birth to end of life,” Michael says. “Our motto is ‘we care for the communities we serve,’ whether that’s internal or external.”

Bedard Medical Supplies has experienced the most growth of all divisions. One of the reasons can be attributed to Michael and

Annette’s vision and where they saw the need to grow and diversify. That growth is one of the company’s strategies to broaden the number of customers served throughout the area. This year, Bedard Medical Supplies ranked number 3,521 in the annual Inc. 5000 list, the prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in the country.

“We’re growing because of our customer service,” says Michael. “We get orders out the door faster than other companies, and though we’re not perfect, we’re always trying to improve and do things better.”

According to Sean, having the next generation involved has given this family-owned business the ability to focus on multi-area growth while maintaining the kind of customer interaction and service they’ve long been known for.

Incorporating technology

In the late 80s, Michael urged his father to digitize their business. While his father was apprehensive, he took classes, and the pharmacy entered the computer age. Two decades later, they added a robot to help free up manpower and increase efficiency.

“In 2004, we were one of the first in the state to get a robot called the Parata,” Michael details. “The robot dispensed medications, put it in vials, and labeled it.”

Though focused on growth in all three divisions, Bedard remains committed to providing reliable service with the same welcoming atmosphere they’re known for. To handle the increase in calls, they’ve set up a service with McKesson VerbalCare, an app that connects customers with the Bedard team right from a mobile device for quick and reliable answers. The app can also be used to place orders and ask questions related to medical equipment. Part of the growth includes adapting to the technology of the day and adding digitized avenues that allow customers to still communicate with a live and local person.

“We are figuring out how to digitize that process so that people still feel cared for, and if they have a question, they’ll get an answer instead of being stuck in a robotic loop or wait days or weeks for a generic response,” Michael explains.

They’ve added another app – MobileRx – that makes it even easier to refill prescriptions for those on-the-go. Customers can elect to receive an SMS/text option for refill reminders, are able to choose from a variety of packaging options, and even add medication therapy management to their list of services. All ways Bedard has evolved to better meet the needs of each customer.

“Technology makes it easier for customers to refill and track medications and get what they need,” Ben says.

Business with a heart

With a mission statement focused on community, it’s no surprise Bedard puts time and consideration into the organizations they sponsor and partner with. A few such organizations are Safe Voices, Tri-County Mental Health, Alzheimer’s Association of Maine, Honor Flight Maine, Seniors Plus, and Volunteers of America Northern New England.

“We try to select organizations that align with our business,” explains Mariah. “For example, the Walk to End Alzheimer’s is near and dear to us because we service patients with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, as well as their caregivers and loved ones.”

Melissa Wescott organizes electronic prescriptions at Bedard Senior Care

Michael says that the caring culture of the business, the knowledge and expertise of the staff, the genuine care and interest their employees have, and their ability to handle any issues that may arise immediately, without the slough of corporate red tape are what truly sets Bedard apart from big box, chain competitors.

“We do care about our patients and customers, whether they are a minute down the road or in a completely different state,” expounds Ben. “We want to make sure they are getting that top-tier service that people have expected from Bedard for the last hundred and twenty-five years.”

While there are no specific plans for a big celebration of their 125th year yet, both Ben and Michael say there are a few things to look out for in 2023 to commemorate this impressive milestone of the business.

“I really love what I do, and I love my companies,” Michael shares. “These milestones that we hit are just awesome.”

Bedard Pharmacy 359 Minot Avenue, Auburn • www.mybedard.com

Caring for the community since 1888.

Behavioral and Mental Health Services

Cancer Care

Cardiovascular Care

Community Clinical Services

Diagnostic Imaging Services

Digestive Health

Emergency Department

Ear, Nose, and Throat Surgery

General Surgery

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Call today to schedule an appointment 207-777-8100 or visit www.stmarysmaine.com to learn more about the services we offer.

Fueled by our legacy and mission, St. Mary’s offers a combination of talented and compassionate caregivers and state-of-the-art medical technology to meet Androscoggin County’s evolving health care needs. Our services

The crew at Bedard’s Retail Pharmacy: Jake Chabot, Rene Emmert, Christina Hodsdon and Samantha Williams

By T.S. Chamberland | Photography by David Fuller | Bedard Pharmacy & Medical Supplies

Support, Buy, and Grow Local Business

Written by T.S. Chamberland | Photography by Nicole Rand

Does the idea of supporting a local business while simultaneously earning reward points appeal to you? What if, as a consumer, you could do that and have access to a growing network of local businesses across Maine and New Hampshire without incurring fees? If you haven’t already heard, there’s a rewards card that can help you do just that. It’s easy for consumers and businesses to sign up and even easier to use.

Supporting and shopping local just got easier

Originally a Portland-based startup, Buoy Local was founded by Sean Sullivan and Kai Smith, and in 2016 was purchased by Bangor Savings Bank. What began solely as a gift card program that included 250 businesses in the Portland area has become a rewards card program usable at over 1500 local Maine and New Hampshire businesses – complete with an app, and funded by Bangor Savings Bank. The bank has been around for 170 years, which means that Buoy Local has the backing of one of the OGs (original) of local business.

“The program’s mission is to help create a strong local economy with vibrant downtowns by supporting all of our diverse and independent businesses,” Kate Frey, Buoy Local Brand Ambassador, with Bangor Savings Bank, says.

Frey adds that since the bank services Maine and New Hampshire consumers and business owners, Buoy Local was the perfect program to add to their list of offerings.

“The bank’s mission is to support the communities we live and work in; this just dovetails perfectly into that overall mission,” Frey explains. “It makes sense with our entire portfolio.”

There’s more incentive than ever to shop local and do it through Buoy Local As a consumer you’ll get $5 in rewards as a thank you for signing up and earn rewards on every dollar you spend at participating, local businesses. You can also redeem those rewards with no fees! Frey says that she often explains how the program can be free to consumers by equating it to their free ATMs around the world for the bank’s consumers. Keeping their ATMs free of fees creates brand loyalty and recognition, and the no-fee rewards card program is a version of that same practice.

Why local businesses should join

Matt Manson, owner of Blackie’s Farm Fresh Produce in Auburn, was approached about Buoy Local by a friend who works for Bangor Savings. After hearing about the program and what steps he needed to take, Manson says it seemed like a good fit.

“I think that the biggest benefit is just connecting local folks with local shops,” says Manson. “Incentivizing shoppers to frequent businesses that are owned by local folks, carrying local products.”

As a retailer, there’s no need for additional equipment and it takes 5 minutes to register your business with the program online. Manson encourages other local businesses to check Buoy Local out, because programs like this help their businesses flourish, and helps them continue to be able to be part of and do business in their communities.

“It’s super easy,” Manson emphasizes. “I’d encourage anybody to be a partner.”

When it comes to shopping and our communities, the numbers don’t lie. According to Frey, studies show that when we shop locally, 73 cents of every dollar stays in our community, and supports our local workforce and businesses. When people shop at big box stores, she says that it’s only about 25 cents on the dollar that remains in the community. By shifting our behavior to shop at local businesses, we can actually help everyone in the community.

“Shopping local has a ripple effect,” Frey says.

Frey also points out that the program and its card have one of the lowest interchanges than any other card on the market today. Similar to the fees a business incurs for accepting credit and debit card payments, reward cards often come with higher fees. A cost the business would be responsible for paying. Other reward cards have interchange rates that range from 3.5 - 4%, but because Bangor Savings picks up the portion on the consumer side, the Buoy Local card interchange is just around 2%. Meaning the bottom line is savings overall for partnering businesses.

Does shopping locally really make a difference?

Jessica Field (holding son Jayden Andrews) shops at Blackie’s Farm Fresh Produce using her Buoy Local card.

Sign-up is easy

Consumers interested in signing up for Buoy Local can walk into any Bangor Savings Bank location to get a free card. After receiving their card, they can enroll on the Buoy Local website or app and complete an enrollment, linking their new card to an existing banking account. Plus, don’t forget that $5 in rewards you will get as a thank you for signing up, which is good for use with any Buoy Local business, like Aroma Joes, Sea40 Japanese Cuisine, or Blackie’s Farm Fresh Produce. And just like with becoming a retailer, banking with Bangor Savings isn’t a requirement, so you can choose any account you want to fund your Buoy Local card.

“Once they have downloaded the app and added their funding source, consumers are able to start earning reward points,” explains Frey.

Maine and New Hampshire local retailers can go to the Buoy Local website and set up their business profile in roughly five minutes. Quick and easy signup, and the dashboard is customizable, meaning a business can create a Buoy Local experience that meets their needs.

“There’s no downside,” says Manson. “I don’t see why anyone wouldn’t want to be a part of it.”

Bryce Strout gives his Buoy Local card to Kathleen Godin to pay after dining at Sea40 Japanese Cuisine.

By T.S. Chamberland | Photography by Nicole Rand | Buoy Local

PROS who KNOW

YOUR LOCAL REAL ESTATE RESOURCE GUIDE

Brian DuBois, Broker/Owner/Partner, DuBois Realty Group

“crazy market!” how did we get here?

There are a multitude of factors that converge to create this market. Among the most notable include:

• The lack of new construction.

• An influx of out-of-state buyers to more rural settings like Maine.

• A pent-up rush of Millennials entering the market.

The National Association of Realtors recently presented their report where NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun, PhD shared news of a MASSIVE UNDERPRODUCTION of new homes from 2008-2020.

While many states saw a mass exodus during the pandemic, Maine grew in population. Many “from away” purchased waterfront or other specialty properties (views, acreage, luxury).

Many millennials rented or lived at home longer, entering the market at age 33-36, creating an influx of more buyers when the supply was incredibly low.

Also noteworthy are the differences between now and after the 2008 housing crash. Distressed Home Sales in 2010 were 37% compared to today’s 1%. According to the Federal Reserve, mortgage delinquency is not a factor, and home equity is highly favorable. It’s a market driven by shortages in supply, not subprime loans or lack of equity.

where are we now?

Danielle Hale, Chief Economist from Realtor.com, suggests that properties may

sit on the market longer as buyers grapple with market factors and need more time to make decisions. It is expected that fewer buyers will participate in bidding wars. Movers are also coming to grips with the market. Where they were more apt to sit on the sidelines, more are inclined to leverage their newfound equity in their homes to help them make their next pur chase.

what can we expect

The National Association of Home Build ers projects a 14% increase in construc tion material costs. Combine this with the lack of skilled workers, and the result is a projected 25% DECREASE in new home builds in 2023. In fact, supply is not likely to rebound until sometime in the 2030s.

Interest rates lacked some consensus. Yun believes rates will stabilize at about 5.75% sometime in Q3 of 2023, while oth ers are less optimistic. Some experts have even predicted that we’ll see 8% or more.

If you’re a seller, this is still a very good time to sell. The sales cycle may take lon ger than that of your neighbor, and your buyer may be more cautious, yet the price point should remain attractive to sell. On the other hand, if you’re a buyer waiting for things to improve, your best oppor tunity from a pricing standpoint is now. Existing homes are still more affordable than new construction, and prices are pro jected to increase.

THE HEALING IMPACT OF A WISH

A wish is much more than just a nice thing. And its reach extends far beyond a single event, or moment in time. Wish kids, parents, medical professionals, volunteers, and others say that wish experiences can change the lives of everyone involved, forever.

LA Metro Magazine is a proud supporter of Make-A-Wish Maine.

Wish Kid Sawyer (aka Sonic Spider Boy)

Steve Roop The man of many cheers

Written by Pam Ashby | Edited by Michael Krapovicky

Most of us meet someone in our lives that radiates an energy we desire to be around. For the many of us privileged to know Steve Roop, he was one of those people, and we were always left feeling lighter than before.

Cheerleader

I attended St. Dominic Regional High School, and some of my favorite memories of that time were on the basketball court. I still hear the sounds of sneakers squeaking across the floor, a swish of the net as a three-pointer was drained, whistles of the referees, and of course, cheers from the crowd. One particular chant, ‘Roop, Roop, Roop, Roop’… always lit something up in me when I heard it. It didn’t matter that the cheer was for my teammate, Stephanie Roop.

For many years, every time I saw Stephanie (now St. Laurent), the chant echoed; it was started by none other than Steve Roop. Now, louder than ever, when I pass a Roopers Beverage, I hear that chant ‘Roop, Roop, Roop, Roop!’ He was an exemplary leader for his employees, but he was also a cheerleader for all he came across.

What you might not know

As many of you know, Steve unexpectedly passed away on Tuesday, September 21st, 2022. LA Metro Magazine wanted to spotlight who Steve was to those who knew him. As I interviewed each person, I wondered if words could ever encapsulate this one man’s effect not only on the lives of so many individuals, but also entire communities.

The passion and love Roop radiated to everyone was deeply appreciated by those closest to him. Roop grew up in Lisbon Falls with his parents, Marty and Mary Jane, and his three siblings: Kathy, Marty, and Larry.

“As a little fella, he was just lovable,” Roop’s father, Marty, attests. “He liked to get close to you at night watching T.V.”

Mary Jane, Roop’s mom, agreed and added how she remembered how hungry he was growing up. Once Steve and his three siblings were in school, Mary Jane went to work. She spoke of how she would come home to Steve cooking in the kitchen, and recalled the time he whipped up an upside-down cake.

“He made the best Toll House cookies,” added Mary Jane.

He was loud, rambunctious, fun, and energetic – but also soft, touching, and contemplative. “Everyone saw him as this big, gregarious person, big personality, but he was also somebody who would reflect and take the time to be quiet,” described his daughter, Stephanie.

“My most memorable times with Steve are when he would come over, and have the best conversations, just he and I,” Mary Jane recollects of the most recent years with her son.

His daughters Stephanie and Sherri were born in Panama where Steve was stationed, with his then-wife,

Stephanie (Roop) St. Laurent with Dad, Steve

Roop with daughter Sherri who passed away in 2005.

while serving in the Army. Stephanie shares how they didn’t have much, lived in a minimalistic home with fabric laid on the uneven floors, pulled tight, held down with furniture, to cover holes.

I watched Stephanie and her son Eli reminisce, and although they reenacted the tale of the anaconda he came across in Panama – with bright eyes and smiles on their faces – it was evident they would have preferred hearing Pappi tell the story. It didn’t matter that they had heard it numerous times before.

“He was always telling stories about being in the jungle in Panama,” Stephanie smiled.

Stephen Roop

Jesse St. Laurent (son-in-law), Mary Jane Roop, Marty Roop, & Stephanie St. Laurent (Photo courtesy of Jose Leiva)

On the roster

There were many things those I interviewed agreed about regarding Roop, and one was how athletic he was. Growing up, he played sports, including basketball, baseball, and football.

“I remember Steve being a standout first baseman,” recounts a classmate of Roop, Norm Smith. “He was also a strong left-handed hitter.”

His athleticism continued after high school. He started up men’s two-hand touch football, and basketball leagues. He was also described as a phenomenal skier and entertaining golf partner. Good athletes are risk takers – but also great teammates – and Roop seemed to know the importance of those traits.

Roopers and love

In the early 90’s, Roop was thriving as a sales representative for Central Distributors when he erroneously met Elaine Bartholomew. Elaine was returning a phone call to Roop’s roommate at the time, and Roop answered the phone instead. After speaking on the phone a few times, Roop took a chance and asked Elaine out for a drink.

“Our story, by all that’s right and holy, should never have happened,” jokes

Steve & Elaine Roop

Elaine. “I was thirteen years older than Steve… I am the original cougar and wasn’t looking for a puppy.”

Once she had spoken to Roop a few times over the phone, she agreed to meet him for a drink.

“From that moment on, we saw each other every day,” Elaine remembers fondly.

There’s no doubt people enjoyed Roop’s company. Everyone who knew him from ‘the business’ mentioned how he would come in and sit at the bar and chat with everyone around within minutes.

“Steve was one of the most popular guys, and everyone loved being around him,” remembers Smith as far back as high school.

Elaine went on sales calls with Roop during his time at Central Distributors and talks about how good he was with his customers and how receptive they were of him.

“I marveled at how people just loved him,” boasted Elaine. She saw him sell from the heart, knowing his efforts, ultimately, were going to help their business.

During Roop’s time at Central Distributors, he identified a need for a redemption center in the Lewiston Auburn area. After seeing him work with people first-hand, Elaine encouraged him to open his own store. At first, Roop was hesitant. At the time, he had two young daughters and wasn’t sure about the risk it took to start a business. Nevertheless, he kept an eye out for a property for his store – finally deciding on a run-down Sabattus Street building. In 1992 Roopers was born, and Roop’s hard work was about to begin.

All in the family

Roop saw the potential in what a Sabattus Street shack could be with a little bit (okay, maybe a lot) of hard work, a testament to his foresight.

“He saw good in everything,” states Bert Cote, owner of Thatcher’s, when asked how he thought he was affected by Roop.

Long-time friend Bill Welch tells of a time when he was a police officer, and Roop was early into being a business owner. The police department had put together a kids summer basketball program, and Roop went down one day to visit Welch and watch the kids play. Roop noticed that some of them were playing barefoot. Within a week, Roop had supplied them with new sneakers, at his own expense.

“That’s back when Steve didn’t own six stores, he only owned maybe one or two, but it didn’t matter to him,” Welch remarks.

In the opinion of Cat Tardie, Chief Financial Officer of Roopers, you couldn’t ask for a better boss.

“He was just so kind and generous,” Tardie reminisced. “He cost the company a little bit of money, but he enabled people to see a medical doctor without the fear that they would end up in debt.”

Some people have been successful because Roop believed in them when

Elaine Roop with goldendoodle, Charlie

no one else did. According to Tardie, current and past employees still talk about how much they appreciate what Roop has done for them. He believed in people, had a heart that you never saw jaded, and thought that everyone has something in them worth helping. Roop did things to help if he could, even if it wasn’t the best business decision, but because it helped his ‘family.’

Jesse St. Laurent, Stephanie’s husband and general manager of Roopers, knows firsthand the “builder” Roop was, for the business, but also for people.

“We were a great team and he never put himself first. One step at a time, we continually kept growing financially, but the best lesson was personal growth – which sometimes you don’t see until you really look,” affirms St. Laurent of his father-in-law, and boss. “That was Steve’s best quality – being a presence in your life for good and growth.”

Elaine and Tardie both agree that Roop sought to help those who maybe needed it more than others and that he always viewed people in a positive light. Both mentioned that he would give employees one, two, and even three chances to prove themselves.

Roop believed in hard work; at times he could be found tossing bottles when it was needed. He always had a soft spot for those who worked in the bottle redemption.

“That was the forgotten group,” Elaine speaks of the bottle redemption employees, “but they were never forgotten by Steve,” continuing on how Roop would buy them lunch, hand them a twenty-dollar bill, or even co-sign a loan if they needed it. Buying an employee dentures, paying to get their G.E.D., and treating his grandson Eli’s friend’s entire family to dinner at Pat’s Pizza were other generous acts that Stephanie attributed to her father. Everyone was family to Roop, and his philanthropy knew no bounds.

“He did more for this community than people even know,” Cote boasts of Roop. “And he did it quietly.”

The Roop effect

While standing in the multi-hour wait at Roop’s wake at the Franco Center, I was awestruck by the stories being told around me. People from all aspects of Roop’s life were chronicling their memories and experiences with him. None of us knew each other, but all had the same feelings from the positive energy he left behind. Those that spent any time with him know the Roop effect.

“My favorite memories of him are when he would come in here and sit right in that chair, and we would be just chilling, and this house would just go crazy when he left,” Roop’s grandson Eli reminisced. “It was awesome; even my friends loved him!”

The titles he held of husband, father, son, brother, Pappi, and boss, held such pride for him, yet he never boasted or bragged. Roop knew he was blessed, but remained humble, even after the growth of his business.

“He always asked me if he was a good dad; I always told him ‘of course!’” Stephanie maintained, her voice trailing off with emotion. “He was the best dad.”

Stephanie shared other memories as a child of her dad and how special their relationship was; how special he was.

“Dad used to take me hiking up Mt. Katahdin – we climbed it three times together,” Stephanie shares. “He wanted me to experience that feeling of accomplishment, to challenge myself physically and mentally and to overcome that.”

John Williams, Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, reminisces of his friendship with Roop.

“I was one of those lucky people, and when he would greet me with a hug and leave me with ‘Love you, Amigo,’ I never, ever doubted that sincerity.”

Softer side

Bruce Marshall, Steve and Elaine’s neighbor at the camp they have in Embden, was always impressed by the person who knocked on his door some 21 years ago.

“One thing that amazed me about Steve is he was always the same person,” Marshall says of Roop. “He could be with the governor – he could be with anybody… what you saw is what you got.”

“When you spoke to Steve, you thought you were his only friend – his listening skills were second to none,” agrees Welch. “I think Steve just had that knack; he could gravitate to anybody.”

Sherri, his youngest child, passed away in 2005. His love ran deep for his daughters, and losing one at such a young age would affect anyone. Both Roop’s parents, Marty and Mary Jane, spoke of how he had such fond memories of her.

“He never really got over losing Sherri, just like I’ll never get over losing him,” Mary Jane says gently.

“He reserved his most thoughtful moments talking about his daughter Sherri, whom he loved and lost,” shares Williams.

Love you for free

“Love you for free,” Roop was heard saying openly, and helping those who may need it – just a little more than most – is how he lived his life. When Roop gave, he gave his all. It didn’t matter if sometimes it was just a listening ear. He made sure each person he was around felt at ease and heard.

“That is something we have lost in society today that would do well to remember when Steve comes to mind,” observes Williams.

Those who knew him can agree that the least we can do is pass on his torch of kindness and candor. It may not bring the gregarious personality we knew and loved back, but it will certainly allow his legacy to live on.

EDITOR’S NOTE: A special thank you to Stephanie St. Laurent, Elaine Roop, and Jennifer Grace for submissions of photos of Steve Roop and his family.

Bringing

Written by Michael Krapovicky | Photography by Brewster Burns

M

aine-based band, The Goods defies a clear delineation between genres – the line between rock, Americana, and amplified bluegrass is purposefully blurred within their music. Their style draws inspiration from disparate sources like The Rolling Stones, James Brown, and Del McCoury, yet the melding of their influences make The Goods a musical entity that is one-of-a-kind.

The Goods play to a packed house at Gritty McDuff’s.

Eight stringer

In the seventh grade, Rob Neilson bought a guitar at Friendly River Music, which he still owns. Seeking an inroads to playing in a fledgling bluegrass group, Neilson switched to mandolin. He was a longtime member of the Portland troupe, the Grassholes, then later co-founded The Intergalactic Yurt Band, known for creating bluegrass versions of popular rock songs, which he still performs with over 20 years later.

Peter Wiggly, photographer for The Intergalactic Yurt Band, encouraged a collaboration between Neilson and Chris Henry, a guitarist and songwriter with a unique worldview and voice.

“My father played guitar and keyboards in a top 40 band, so there was always music in the house,” says Henry. “My early influences were heavy blues players like Jimi Hendrix, Van Halen, and Jimmy Page, but my tastes moved towards Frank Zappa and Grateful Dead over time – bands that felt more free.”

With bassist Chris Michaud and drummer Scott Hopkins, Henry formed a progressive rock band Bad Apple, that covered Queen, Frank Zappa, Rush, and other progressive acts. He later started Dirty Deeds, an AC/DC tribute band in the 90s.

“We were really trying to replicate AC/DC as closely as possible, to capture the power of their live show,” says Henry.

Chris Henry, lead vocalist & guitar Rob Neilson, multi-instrumentalist

Todd Owens, bass

Josh Caron, drums

“It was fun to dress up like Angus Young and really try to act out the part onstage.”

Also, in the 90s, Henry started writing his own songs, and began the process of forming an original band. He found a willing partner in Neilson.

Evolution

In 2010, the two began crafting Henry’s songs with Neilson’s mandolin accompaniment.

“As someone who played mostly hillbilly bluegrass, Chris’s songs were so out of my comfort zone,” Neilson concedes. “Having this kind of folk-metal edge to them, with unfamiliar chords I’d have to transpose to my instrument; it was a great learning experience.”

The evolution of the band was gradual as Neilson and Henry became more familiar with each other’s strengths and musical goals. Over time, Neilson’s instrumental pieces found their way into the setlist to add to Henry’s songs.

The new Goods

Neilson and Henry called their band “The Goods” – as in “bringing the goods.” The two discovered the name described their growing audience as well as their unique musical presence.

“Our audience is really ‘the goods’ for us,” says Henry. “They bring the intangibles that drive us to perform better.”

Their itinerant lineup began to solidify as they added bassist Todd Owens in 2012. Owens brought a foundational sensibility birthed out of years in the Maine blues jam scene.

“I started playing strictly blues, music with a solid structure,” Owens asserts. “Once I joined The Goods, I was free to explore

more genres – bluegrass, off-beat funk – stuff I never thought I would be into playing.”

“Once Todd joined, it made my job simpler, as I didn’t have to fill the role of bass player, and I moved to playing electric guitar,” affirms Henry. “We got a drummer, Tate Gale from the Yurt Band, and recorded an album of original music.”

Gale had a long stint with The Goods, and upon his departure, the band recruited Josh Caron to play drums in July 2020. Caron began drumming in the 90s, enamored early on by music of the grunge era, such as Rage Against The Machine. Later, Caron was drawn towards theater productions, playing in pit orchestras.

“Because it’s all story-driven, there is a vast diversity of styles –key and time-signature changes – in theater music, which makes it really fascinating.” Caron says.

Good chemistry

The new rhythm section brought a new fervor and funkiness to The Goods.

“Josh was a breath of fresh air,” claims Neilson. “Josh and Todd play so well together, bring a funk element, and vocally, we’re really developing a strong three-part harmony.”

In addition to highly compatible musicianship, the personality of each member accounts for their positive chemistry.

“We are all really comfortable with each other and foster each others’ silly nature,” says Caron.

“When we all get together, we have the freedom to be ridiculous, and it just makes things fun.”

Goods groove

A performance by The Goods aims to create a positive shared environment with their audience, blending their originals with songs folks may be more accustomed to hearing.

“We like to get an audience who might not be familiar with us warmed up with recognizable covers,” Henry acknowledges. “They become more receptive to your own music over time.”

The synergy between the band members creates a signature stamp on the music that populates their set.

Pam and Tracy Stone try to catch all The Goods’ performances.

By Michael Krapovicky | Photography by Brewster Burns | The Goods

“There’s a pretty distinctive, organic sound that the four of us create, a ‘Goods groove,’” avows Owens. “It is fun to transfer that vibe to other material,” says Owens.

The band’s wide variety of originals, paired with funky, danceable covers, allows for an unpredictable mix.

“Having a solid rhythm section like Josh and Todd really frees up Chris to roar,” claims Neilson. “We can get a heavier sound with an almost metal edge, or change to clean and pretty, and do some pretty funky, in-the-pocket grooving.”

The Goods are adept at improvisation and spontaneity due to having an acute awareness and trust for one another.

“We have a good foundation,” maintains Henry. “That foundation allows a musical conversation to happen between the four of us.”

Selective booking

Neilson and Owens are local luthiers employed by Bourgeois Guitars. Henry is an educator in the Lewiston school system, and Caron is a personal banker at KeyBank. Barring special events, The Goods cap their performances to every other month, playing approximately 10 shows a year.

“We all have lives and day jobs, so we try to spread out gigs, reserving the time to make each show special,” states Neilson. “This gives us the time to continually be working on new songs, and new presentation, like going back to our acoustic roots for a set.”

“It’s a great feeling to get the opportunity to play our style of music in our local community,” agrees Henry. “It’s very fulfilling.”

The Goods www.reverbnation.com/thegoodsofmaine

A Family Affair

Written by Jillian Netherland | Photography by Brewster Burns

It’s not easy keeping a business alive and successful in a small town, but there’s no doubt that one couple has found a way to attract locals and out-of-towners alike to their restaurant. Love for food, family, and community are the perfect ingredients for success at Village Pizzeria in Mechanic Falls.

Photo courtesy of Pam Ashby

Big city flavor, small town flare

“I first met my husband when I was in nursing school,” tells Lori Nikas, co-owner of Village Pizzeria Restaurant & Lounge with her husband, Stan. “I went to the restaurant where he worked making all the crust and sauce for the pizza. It was amazing! I kept going back.”

It was at this restaurant in Nashua, New Hampshire, Stan learned and perfected his recipes, some of which would become customer favorites at Village Pizzeria. This initial love for Stan’s pizza soon became a love for each other, and Lori joined Stan in his lifelong dream of owning his own restaurant.

“We had been working with a stockbroker, and the gentleman advising us mentioned he knew someone selling a restaurant in Mechanic Falls, Maine,” Lori recalls. “We visited to check it out and ended up purchasing it.”

On December 7, 2002, Lori and Stan officially opened Village Pizzeria in an old antique building in Mechanic Falls, but always had their eye on a building around the corner where a pharmacy was held.

“We absolutely adored the building the pharmacy was in,” Lori recalls. “I remember walking in together and telling the pharma-

cist that we would love to own the building one day when he was finished with it.”

Five years later, the Nikases got their wish and transformed the pharmacy into the new Village Pizzeria Restaurant & Lounge. December 2022 marked 20 years in business and 15 years in their dream building.

While Stan’s homemade pizza is renowned throughout New England, calling the restaurant a pizzeria may be slightly deceiving.

A pizzeria and so much more

“The pizza is our claim to fame, but our menu offers so much more,” Lori shares, stating that their fresh Maine seafood options, such as the baked haddock and seafood platter, are two of their most popular dishes. “Customers love the soups and chowders that Stan makes daily, as well as his famous twice-baked potatoes.”

Other fan favorites include the House White Pizza, topped with fresh tomatoes, garlic, feta, broccoli, and mozzarella, the traditional chicken parmesan, and anything including steak tips –dinner, salad, or sub. These customer go-to’s all arrive in generous portions – even children’s (or adult) favorites, such as chicken fingers – ensuring no customer ever leaves hungry.

Village Pizzeria also proudly boasts freshly baked rolls, daily soup specials such as chicken lemon rice, rotating entrees, an array of delectable desserts that change with the seasons, such as peanut butter balls and the occasional chocolate mousse. A fully stocked bar, for guests aged 21 and over, is available – make sure you ask about the drink special.

Big city recipes with small town heart

While it’s undeniable that Mechanic Falls is vastly different from the cities where Stan and Lori previously were acquainted, owning a restaurant in a small town versus a larger city has its charms and benefits, particularly when it comes to family – those with and without blood relation.

“The locals are wonderful,” Lori says, with affection in her voice. “We have regulars that I see every day – some more often than my own family.”

Time with family is the biggest reason Lori left the nursing career trajectory to join her husband on the path to business ownership.

“We had to do it together,” she explains. “If I had stayed in nursing, our schedules would have never allowed us to see each other. It was important to him, his dream, so I joined that route with him.”

Twenty years later, Lori and Stan run the business like a welloiled machine. Each day, Lori preps the pizza dough and handles the schedule while Stan orders and cooks his recipes – some of which, like the twice-baked potatoes, can only be prepared by him. The one difference in the family work dynamic from the

Lori & Stan Nikas

early days of the business, though, is that the Nikases daughter, Athina, now joins them two days each week.

“Athina started helping out after school when COVID hit,” Lori explains. “We had to send our employees home to keep them safe, but we were still answering take-out orders the entire time. She loves the family business, and having her there with us has been a huge help.”

The power of community

Between their close-knit family dynamic and strong rapport with their customer base, it comes as no surprise that Village Pizzeria is heavily involved with their community as a whole, between sponsoring local sports teams, donating to fundraisers, and providing for hungry families where they can. Hosting birthday and holiday parties to supporting school fundraisers and the local fire association, Village Pizzeria is truly immersed in all aspects of their community. Perhaps their strongest relationship is with Short Folks for Hope Foundation, an organization Lori says will always help in any way.

“We’ve co-hosted several events with Short Folks for Hope, like a Princess Party at the Pizzeria,” Lori shares. “My favorite event was during COVID when they were looking for a way to help locals combat feelings of isolation while keeping them safe. We shut down the pizzeria to hold a private lasagna dinner so they could feel like they were out in public again, but without the risks.”

As the Nikas family looks towards the future with Village Pizzeria, their hope is not much to change.

“It’s a hard job, for certain. There’s nothing easy about it,” Lori confides. “However, it’s also an amazing job. I love working with my family and seeing our regulars, even during stressful times. I hope to be here for as long as we can.”

Village Pizzeria Restaurant & Lounge 16 Pleasant Street, Mechanic Falls

Three generations of serving at the Village Pizzeria: Laurie Bunnell, Emily Champagne, and Jessica Sibley

Athina Nikas takes a phone order

By Jillian Netherland | Photography by Brewster Burns | Village Pizzeria

STANDING T H E

T E ST OF TIME

Written by Jillian Netherland | Photography by Jose Leiva

Any drive through Main Street in Lewiston will take you past one of LA’s greatest not-so-hidden gems, the Kora Shrine Temple. Originally constructed in 1908, this historic building was crafted by the Ancient Arabic Order, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and proudly stands today at the three-way junction of Blake, Main, and Sabattus Streets, hosting events for local Shriners as well as the general public.

A century and then some

“The original Kora building was on Lisbon Street, beginning in the 1890s,” shares Barry Gates, President of the Kora Foundation and past Potentate. “Shriners International was founded in 1872 and made its way to Lewiston in 1892. Membership was growing so fast, and the building could no longer meet the demand.”

A fraternal organization associated with Freemasonry, Shriners are well-known for their charitable works. Their temples serve as a ceremonial space and clubhouse for members.

To construct a building capable of accommodating the Shriners’ growing membership that was state-of-the-art in both function and aesthetic, the early 20th century Lewiston Shriners knew there was only one person for the job: George Coombs. “Coombs was incredibly prolific in a lot of architecture in the Lewiston Auburn area at the time – the growing industrial center, storefronts throughout Lewiston, and even notable residential structures in the area were all designed by George Coombs,”

explains Mark Lee, Principal and Chief Executive Officer of Harriman Associates, the present-day architecture firm that was once George Coombs’ company, Coombs & Gibbs. In bringing the Shriners’ vision to life, Coombs was tasked with the goal of designing a facility that was visually striking both externally and internally, that could withstand the test of time – literally.

“All of the details of the building are beautiful and intentional, but what is truly remarkable is the integrity of the building, now 114 years old with so much of the original construction intact, something incredibly unusual for a building of that age,” says Lee. “The Temple was constructed with steel framing and masonry –brick walls, steel columns, and steel floor and roof framing. This is incredibly cutting-edge design for the era, and a true testament to the Shriners of the time who made the investment.”

In fact, Lewiston’s Kora Shrine Temple was the first building designed in the United States to incorporate both steel and wood. Standing as a three-story brick building, the Temple boasts a flat roof topped by a pair of onion domes. The main facade is ornate, with groups of pointed arch windows trimmed in terra cotta filigree predominating. At the main entrance, visitors are greeted under a rounded arch with a band of smaller, similarly arched windows on the third floor above. The building cornice consists of vaulted sections interspersed with pointed-arch niches, similar in shape to the windows. The awe-inspiring interior is ornately decorated with floor-to-ceiling murals, gold filigree and Tiffany chandeliers.

Upon completion of construction in 1909, a dedication as grand as the building itself was in order, with Shriners from all over New England traveling to Lewiston to be a part of the celebration.

“The dining hall can seat 400 people, but attendance was closer to 800, so they had to have two separate dinner seatings,” Gates shares. “Guests enjoyed a lobster dinner in the room we still use as a banquet hall today.”

Over the decades that followed, murals, details, and other ornate décor continued to be added to the Temple’s breathtaking aesthetic. In 1927, acclaimed mural decorator, Maine native, and fellow Shriner, Harry Cochrane completed decoration of the Temple, something many regarded as his most spectacular mural project, depicting scenes from Islamic and Arabic history in the Temple’s dining hall. In 1975, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places for its distinctive Moorish-inspired architecture.

The more things change, the more they stay the same

While it may be hard to imagine parallels between life in 1909 and 2023, much of the space inside the Kora Temple has continued to be used for the same purposes over the last century. The dining hall, assembly spaces, and refreshment areas are all used for the same purposes today as they were originally built, with only the addition of smaller “support” spaces such as bathrooms, offices, and elevators, as well as safety features, including exit signs and emergency lighting.

“Everyone has been incredibly careful about how they’ve supported and protected the building over time – it isn’t common to see this degree of care and conservation,” remarks Lee, adding, “part of it is it’s impossible to step foot in the building without being impressed by the level of construction and detail – I think everyone has felt a sense of pride and stewardship because of that.”

Mark Lee

Fun, fellowship, and more

Initially built as a Shrine Temple, the building is now more commonly known as the Shrine Center, but don’t let the name change confuse you – just as the internal space of the building has remained consistent through the years, so has the intent of those who utilize it.

“Shriners International was founded to have fun and fellowship in a public way, and that is still what we’re all about,” explains Gates. “The organization has always been about raising money, specifically for children’s hospitals, with a common meeting place for business and fun, such as dances, plays, and other productions.

For LA residents, the most well-known public production at the Kora Temple is the Feztival of Trees, held annually during the week of Thanskgiving. Trees are sponsored, decorated, and put on display by local businesses and nonprofit organizations to raise money for the Shriners. Attendees purchase tickets to attend the event and enter raffles to win items on and beneath the trees.

“The Feztival is our biggest fundraiser, for sure,” says Rob McKinley, 2022 Potentate. “2022 was our 17th year hosting the event, and we have never reused a theme to ensure it’s something enjoyable that people will want to keep coming back to each year.”

While the Feztival of Trees may be the Shriners’ largest fundraiser, it isn’t the only one. Heading into its third year in April 2023 is the Annual Kora Shriners Sportsmen Expo. Aiming to share the love of the outdoors while providing opportunities for education and exposure to the Shrine, the expo features vendors promoting

outdoor activities for the entire family, including skiing, fishing, hunting, and camping, as well as ATV riding, kayaking, and backyard game enjoyment.

“We also hold team meetings at the Temple for each year’s Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl Classic,” shares Gates. Keeping true to the Shriners’ historic support of children’s hospitals, funds raised through the Lobster Bowl Classic benefit Shriners Hospitals for Children pediatric healthcare system, which provides free medical care to children. These funds are raised by local football players and cheerleaders who have been nominated by their coaches and agree to raising a certain amount of money to participate.

“Each year, a child patient will speak with the football teams and cheerleading squads so they can learn where the money is going and why raising it is so important,” says Gates. Known as the premiere sporting event in Maine, Lewiston High School’s football field has served as the Lobster Bowl Classic’s venue for the past two years, with Thornton Academy and Biddeford High School hosting in years past.

The new Shriners statue in front of the Temple

The dining hall of the Kora Temple has intricate artistic detailing.

Beautiful paintings adorn the walls of the Kora Temple.

By Jillian Netherland | Photography by

It takes a village

Each year’s Potentate project is outside the realm of typical fundraising events. With terms lasting for one calendar year, each Potentate, similar to a club President, has the honor of selecting a fundraising project to spearhead and bring to fruition.

“In 1970, at a fair in Indiana, a Shriner was carrying a disabled child from spot to spot, ensuring she got to enjoy the fair as much as anyone else. Someone snapped a photo which has since become a statue at Shriner temples across the country called the ‘Silent Messenger.’”

For McKinley’s Potentate project, he chose to have a statue of the Silent Messenger installed at the Kora Temple, but he took his fundraising aspirations one step farther than the statue installation: enough funds were raised to have the little girl depicted in the statue, Bobbi Jo Wright of Evansville, Indiana, now 58 years old, flown to Maine to be a part of the statue’s unveiling on December 3, 2022.

It takes a village to keep a historic building – and the organization that calls it home – in optimal working order for more than a century. The secret to success for the Kora Shriners is a combination of diversification in unity through three distinct corporations under one overarching umbrella: the Kora Association, the Kora Foundation, and the Kora Fraternity, each with their specific role in support of the organization.

“Our primary responsibility is to own and manage the building,” states Dan Labrie, President of the Kora Association. “We have a board of trustees elected for membership who vote on where to spend money in the best interest of the building.”

One of the first things the board did was request an evaluation of the condition of the building and prioritized investments to protect the building, starting in 2016. Funds for these investments come from none other than the Kora Foundation.

“The Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit that began in 2012 with the sole purpose of raising money for the Kora building,” explains Gates. In addition to community events, like the Feztival of Trees and Sportsmen Expo, the Kora Foundation raises funds through annual mailings and planned giving through wills and bequests. Its next major fundraising campaign will be geared towards replacing the Temple’s HVAC system.

“The Foundation was started in the spirit of preserving the building,” shares Lee, who is not a Shriner himself, but is a part of the Foundation. “The building itself is a beautiful landmark in our community, and I have a great interest in being a part of its preservation.”

If the Foundation and Association support the pursuit of fun and fellowship, the Kora Fraternity is the fun and fellowship brought to life. Comprised of 22 units, six clubs, and special interest groups such as a brewers’ club, Kora Klown unit, a band, and different parade units, the Fraternity oversees the many subgroups of Kora, led by the year’s Potentate.

The next 100 years and beyond

In looking to the future, a collective goal in preserving the Temple for another century and beyond is sharing it more with the public – including its history.

Shrine Temple

“A lot of people walk past and have no idea what the building is, making it something of a mystery at first glance,” tells Lee. “Through changing and adding more function to the building itself, we hope the community can enjoy how precious and wonderful the building is – it’s great to see it being shared more and we encourage everyone to enjoy the fact that this is such a special building in our community.”

Kora Temple Shrine 11 Sabattus Street, Lewiston • korashriners.org

The Craftmanship

Jose Leiva | Kora

All Are Welcome Here

Written by Jillian Netherland | Photography by Mark Turcotte

For those seeking a coed competitive soccer experience, Auburn Rec Ingersoll Turf Arena is the place to be Thursday nights from September through May. Attracting players from Poland to Augusta, Auburn’s coed league is a rare gem among adult soccer leagues in Maine.

Mike Picard and Hamza Dabar fight for the ball.

Shelter from the cold – a league is born

Those native to Lewiston Auburn may recall when the Rec department’s ice arena building was renovated into what is now known as the Ingersoll Turf Arena. Having the perfect facility in place for indoor sports shined a light on the lack of options for adult soccer teams in the area, particularly during the winter months. Previously working as General Manager of a sports complex in Portland, Jeremy Gatcomb, Auburn Rec Director, was familiar with the soccer league format and identified the need to offer a sport for adults who did not play basketball or hockey.

“The winter season here is so long, and at times, can be brutal,” says Gatcomb. “Not everyone is a skier, snowboarder, or snowmobiler. Indoor sports provide an alternative option for getting out and doing something.”

Almost as an experiment, the first adult coed soccer league season was held in 2015 with the help of fellow Auburn Rec employee Heath Crocker, who was part of the beginning days of the Ingersoll Turf Arena. An experiment that proved successful and has continued into its eighth season. This success is due, in part, to its coed status – something that is not found in many areas throughout Maine.

“Many areas host men’s soccer leagues, a few have women’s leagues, but coed leagues are hard to find,” shares Crocker, who continues to run the Rec’s soccer program. “The coed league has more of a family type of atmosphere to it – significant others playing together, older players mixed with younger players. It’s more of a slow-paced recreational experience versus competitive.”

For sport or for glory – you decide

That doesn’t mean the league is void of competition, though. The Auburn Rec coed soccer league runs over the course of four eight-week sessions, with game requirements of having seven players on the field at all times, three females, and four males – while some teams are there purely for the social aspect, other players are there to win.

“Some teams are ultra-competitive, while others are made up of groups of friends just looking to do something active and different,” explains Gatcomb. “It can be a delicate balance between the competitive and social teams, but we make it work to ensure everyone has the best experience.”

This social aspect has extended beyond the Ingersoll Turf Arena and into the community at large, as many players travel to be part of Auburn’s coveted coed league. Players make a night of it, going out with teammates to celebrate and enjoy each other’s company at local establishments following their weekly games.

“Allowing males and females to play together in a laid back, fun, but also competitive atmosphere has brought back that feeling of team camaraderie,” states Crocker.

Team standings are tracked through the regular season, ending with one night of playoffs. This culmination of each season occurs in an abbreviated style of games. Each game played for a shortened duration of time, ensuring that all games conclude by 10:30 pm.

Heath Crocker

Kaitlyn Baker protects the ball.

By

Room for everyone

The process is simple for those interested in starting or joining a team: go to Crocker.

“My email is everywhere: in the brochures, on the website, our Facebook page,” shares Crocker. “I’m always happy to discuss the schedule, pricing, rules, or connect individuals looking to join a team who do not already have their own.”

“Ninety-nine percent of the time, the teams form on their own before coming to us,” adds Gatcomb. “Every once in a while, we’ll have an individual reach out that we try to connect with other teams to ensure everyone who wants to play gets to play.”

Those interested in starting or joining a team are encouraged to reach out to Crocker in August once the Turf Arena’s schedule has been set for the following year. Each year’s first session begins in September, with playoffs occurring in April or May, depending on the season.

More than a game

The Auburn Recreation Parks Department takes pride in offering exceptional recreational programming, athletic fields, and public facilities for all ages and abilities, ranging from summer camps for school-aged children to yoga classes for seniors. Its biggest programs, though, are its youth and adult sports leagues.

“It’s definitely a challenge balancing two completely different philosophies,” Gatcomb shares. “There are different aspects to consider when running a league for adults versus youth, but in both, it mostly all comes down to being fair, staying honest, and keeping an open line of communication.”

This standard of integrity speaks to ensuring equal playing time among leagues, maintaining ideal playing conditions on the fields, and high-quality gameplay. Between the high volume of original players from 2015 returning season after season, coupled with the growth of new teams and players, it’s safe to say these standards continue to be met.

“It’s a massive juggling act to keep everyone happy, keep it competitive, and keep it fair,” Gatcomb confides. “Short of Portland, we have one of the biggest adult leagues in the state between men’s, women’s, coed, and senior leagues. I’m hoping to continue to grow as we get more fields in the next five plus years and see our numbers grow even larger.”

Auburn Recreation Parks Department 48 Pettengill Park • Auburn www.auburnmaine.gov/Pages/ Government/Parks-and-Recreation

Jillian Netherland | Photography by Mark Turcotte | Auburn Rec Coed Soccer League

SOCIAL HOUR

Highlighting great places to go and things to do in our communities.

Dinner is served with a side of mystery! Mystery for Hire (MFH), one of Maine’s premier murder-mystery dinner theater companies, is serving up serious entertainment and delicious adventure. They’ve been delighting their audiences for over two decades with thrilling evenings of good food, mystery, and intrigue. A fun time for all, guests of MFH bear witness to and participate in solving a crime, but must be cautious; they could be dining with a killer.

LA Metro Magazine sat down with Dan and his performers to talk about their success and the game of “murder.”

Written by Sara Poulin

Photography by Mark Turcotte

The usual suspects

Dan and Denise Marois began their “sleuthing” careers as actors with Mystery Café, a Boston-based mystery theater company that later moved to Maine in 1991. They started their own entertainment company in 1995, and Mystery for Hire was born. In their 27 years in business, with the exception of a two-year hiatus during COVID, they have produced over 1,000 shows, performing for over 250 different clients, large and small businesses, colleges, and more.

Having performed in about 900 murder mystery shows, Marois, along with his wife, who has appeared in approximately 500 shows herself, brings much experience and expertise to MFH. Actors are cast depending on the show script and whether they are suitable for the available roles. Some MFH actors have been with the troupe since day one, including Kathleen Nason and Julie Poulin. Marois believes there have been as many as 40 actors involved with MFH.

According to Marois, the best performers for his mystery shows are people familiar with improvisation. He says, “They need to be able to think quickly on their feet.” Most MFH performances occur during a meal, and the actors are expected to remain in character from start to finish. That can be a difficult task,” Marois admits.

“Some for mally trained actors haven’t been comfortable with our free-flowing performances,” he adds. “We have gotten some of our best performances from people who just have a knack for being creative and working an audience.”

A veteran actor, Greg Simpson, who has been working with MFH for ten years, has recently taken on writing new scripts. He’s written a popular pirate-themed show, as well as a golf-themed show. Simpson estimates he’s played dozens of characters over his decade-long career with MFH, but his favorite is the Irish priest from the BINGO-themed mystery, Father John Patrick Xavier.

What makes the character so fun? “Getting to do my dialogue in an Irish accent all night,” admits Simpson.

Another memorable event for Simpson was perfor ming at a fundraiser for the nonprofit organization, Make-A-Wish. The theme was “The Roaring 20s,” and the guests were dressed in amazing costumes.

By Sara Poulin | Photography by Mark Turcotte | Mystery for Hire

Julie Poulin, another long-time actor with MFH whose career spans two decades, loves the audience participation as well as the crowd being in character and costume.

“They come ready to play with us,” Poulin exclaims.

Her favorite character over the years was her first role, a bride named Rachel with “secrets.”

Poulin enjoys acting and improv, but she appreciates something else. “The lifelong friendships I have made with my fellow castmates, they’re crazy, and I consider them family,” Poulin boasts.

Murder by numbers

Over the years, Marois estimates that MFH has done about 20 different mystery themes. Although they perform shows written by other playwrights, Marois has written most of the shows performed by MFH. With enough advanced notice, shows can even be customized for different audiences. “We once wrote a show called ‘Construction Can Be Murder’ for a group of women who work in the construction industry,” Marois shares.

W ith more than 1,000 shows, there have been many memorable moments. Like Simpson, performing for fundraisers and nonprofits is among Marois’ favorite shows. Others were shows done under more unusual circumstances. Marois recounts a time when a crucial prop, a voodoo doll, went missing during a mystery dinner.

“We couldn’t find it where it was usually hidden,” recalls Marois. However, he reveals that an older woman eventually admitted to having the doll and wanted to take it home for her dog. While in character as a British detective, Marois continued the show, dramatically ‘frisking’ her until the doll was found.

Dan & Denise Marois

(Photo courtesy of Dan Marois)

Dan Marois, Kathleen Nason, and Greg Simpson in “Lights, Camera, Murder.” (Photo courtesy of Dan Marois)

For Marois, the highlight of each show is when the Super Sleuth is awarded. The “Super Sleuth” is a member of the audience who comes the closest to guessing the murderer or crime. According to Marois, the same script can have a different murderer at each performance – it depends on the mood of the show or what the audience contributes to the solving of the crime.

Crimes of passion

Because MFH is primarily an improv-based performance, there is a plot and a loose script the actors follow, and they occasionally encounter the unexpected. For a show at Springfield College in Massachusetts, the client expected around 100 guests, 500 attended.

Marois admits, “It was a challenge to play to such a large group that we weren’t expecting.” Like any good improv troupe, they have had to roll with the punches.

The purpose of MFH is light entertainment and to walk into an immersive and engaging story that connects with the audience. The content and venue play a big part in keeping the audience’s attention. Over the years, MFH has performed in almost 200 different venues

from every part of the state, locally at Marco’s in Lewiston and in Litchfield, Maine, at Doolin’s Pub.

Accomplices

Even with more than 1,000 shows under their belt, MFH shares unique performances every time. MFH uses different actors for roles from show to show, and each actor brings their voice to their character. Every audience is diverse, contributing other insights and adding new twists to the plot; you’ll never see the same show twice.

When asked about the success of MFH, “We could not have done so many shows if not for the talent that many actors shared with us,” says Marois.

Marois and his wife have recently moved to New Hampshire to be closer to their family. However, it is their hope that Mystery for Hire will continue as they have turned the casting and production over to a few long-term actors with the troupe. Marois will still appear in shows as needed as an actor, but hopes to make room for new actors to get involved with mystery dinner theater.

Mystery for Hire

www.mysteryforhire.net

Nic Dufault in “Murder at the Last Dance Disco” performed at Doolin’s Pub in Litchfield

Amanda Eaton and Amanda Kinsey in “Murder at the Last Dance Disco.”

Audience member Andy DuPont gets disco fever during the show.

Bonnie Iwans