Five vocal groups, a new greenhouse and your Valley week
Battle of the Blends, Edward Little’s open house, Bates–Bowdoin football and useful community connections.
Sandy Smith
Nov 3, 2026
| November 3–9, 2026|Issue #2|Androscoggin Valley, Maine |
Battle of the Blends · Five Groups, One Stage A cappella puts the voices out front, and this Saturday Lewiston gets a whole evening of them. Maine Music Society’s 31st annual Battle of the Blends comes to the Franco Center, 46 Cedar Street, on November 7, 7–9 p.m. Five groups share the stage, with Dr. Richard Nickerson as emcee. The program ranges across jazz, barbershop, rock and Renaissance vocal music, making the changes in style part of the fun. It is a local concert with a long history—and an easy reason to make plans with someone who enjoys hearing what a group of voices can do together. Use the ticket page to select admission and confirm availability. The venue box office is 207-689-2000. Concert details · Tickets |
Valley Trivia Which Auburn park is known for its old quarries and mineral discoveries? A. Mount Apatite Park B. Kennedy Park C. Deering Oaks D. Bass Park The answer is at the very end. |
From Our Readers What deserves a closer look in your part of the Valley? We welcome public events, business openings and moves, volunteer projects and people making a useful difference. Send the town, date, location and a public source to sandy@mainethrive.org. Photos you own or have permission to share are welcome, too. From Lewiston–Auburn to Jay, Rumford and Bethel, small local stories belong here. — Sandy |
From Sandy Good morning, neighbors. Welcome to our second edition. This week brings voices together in Lewiston, opens a new learning space in Auburn and offers a concert farther up the Valley in Bethel. There are practical things here, too: jobs, food and heating resources, shorter November market hours and animals waiting for the right home. Today is Election Day. If you haven’t cast your ballot, please make time before the polls close at 8 p.m. Opening times vary, so confirm your local arrangements. I’m grateful to the readers helping this newsletter reach more of the Valley. Keep sending the small announcements as well as the big ones. A useful story doesn’t have to happen in the largest town. — Sandy We use AI-generated illustrations when actual photographs are unavailable. Adoptable-animal photographs are real. |
Weather Around the Valley · November 3–9 Lewiston–Auburn outlook · High / Low, °F Tuesday: Some sunshine · 62° / 45° Wednesday: Clouds and sunshine, warm · 70° / 48° Thursday: Some sun, then clouds · 68° / 54° Friday: Cloudy, rain possible · 64° / 49° Saturday: Cloudy, rain possible · 57° / 51° Sunday: Partly sunny · 57° / 42° Monday: Mostly cloudy · 54° / 41° Forecast checked November 2. Upper-Valley towns and higher elevations can be cooler; recheck the local forecast before a longer drive or trail outing. |
Know Before You Go Election Day · Tuesday, November 3 Maine polls close at 8 p.m. Opening times and polling locations vary. Find your local voting information. Rumford winter parking The town’s winter parking ban took effect November 1 and runs through April 15. Read the current restrictions before leaving a vehicle overnight. Town notice. Lewiston market hours Sunday’s market runs 11 a.m.–1 p.m. this week. Don’t carry the summer opening time into November. Before driving up the Valley Use Maine road conditions and the event’s dated notice, particularly when evening weather changes. |
Hidden Gem · Mount Apatite Park Wooded trails and old quarries give an Auburn walk a local history connection. Our guide explains what to know before exploring Mount Apatite. Read the full Hidden Gem article · City map and collecting guidance |
Make room for a little movement. A short brisk walk or an indoor activity break can help you build toward the CDC’s weekly goal of 150 minutes of moderate activity for adults. You can spread that time across the week in smaller chunks. Choose an activity that fits your abilities; at moderate intensity, you can talk but not sing. CDC activity guidance |
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Give your smoke alarms a November check. Press each alarm’s test button and check its manufacture date. NFPA recommends monthly testing and replacing smoke alarms 10 years after manufacture. Follow your model’s instructions for battery replacement. NFPA smoke-alarm guidance |
Featured Events Edward Little greenhouse ribbon cutting · Auburn Friday, November 6, 4–6 p.m. · Edward Little High School, 77 Harris Street. See a new space for hands-on student learning and hear from people involved in the project. The greenhouse sits on the south side of the parking lot near the early-childhood playground. Light refreshments are listed. The Green Ladle open house starts at 4:30 p.m., with food prepared by Edward Little culinary students. Food tickets are sold separately at the door. Organizer’s event details. Daniel Tiger’s Grriffic Literacy Tour · Lewiston Saturday, November 7, 10:30–11:30 a.m. · Callahan Hall, Lewiston Public Library, 200 Lisbon Street. Maine Public’s family event features author Charlotte Agell, stories, book giveaways and a photo opportunity. It is free, but registration is required; confirm current ticket availability. Library event and registration. Sarah McQuaid at The Gem · Bethel Friday, November 6, 7 p.m. · The Gem, 48 Cross Street. BAAM presents an intimate concert with the singer and multi-instrumentalist. It is a good option for readers farther up the Valley—and a reason for an evening trip from other towns. Venue program and tickets. Ray Harrington · Auburn Saturday, November 7, 7:30–9 p.m.; seating 7 p.m. · Great Falls Comedy Club, inside Craft Brew Underground, 34 Court Street. Ages 18+. Show and ticket details. |
Things To Do Lewiston library · A weekday with the kids Baby Storytime is Tuesday, November 3, at 10:15 a.m.; Baby Sensory Playtime is Thursday, November 5, at 10 a.m. Both are at Lewiston Public Library, 200 Lisbon Street. Library program details. Auburn library · Wednesday, November 4 At 49 Spring Street, the Local History Room is listed open 9–11 a.m.; Preschool Story Time runs 10–10:30 a.m., suited to ages 3–5, with siblings welcome and no prior registration. Library calendar. Teen time · Lewiston Video Games meets Tuesday, November 3, at 3:30 p.m.; Teen & Friends Magic: the Gathering is Thursday, November 5, at 3:30 p.m. Read the individual listing for age and participation guidance. Teen program details. Comedy for a Cause · Auburn Friday, November 6, 7:30–9 p.m. · Great Falls Comedy Club. The benefit supports the local Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Presenter’s calendar and ticket link. Science story and STEAM activity · Buckfield Wednesday, November 4, 3–4 p.m. · Zadoc Long Free Library, 5 Turner Street. Maine Mineral & Gem Museum brings a read-aloud about Mars and a chance for children to design an alien spacecraft. Program and registration information. Frank Santos Jr. · Rumford Saturday, November 7, 7 p.m. · 49 Franklin’s Mystic Theater, 49 Franklin Street. The performer lists this comedy-hypnosis show for ages 18+. Performer’s schedule and ticket link. YWCA community conversation · Lewiston Friday, November 6, 9:30–10:30 a.m. · Vachon Room, YWCA Central Maine, 130 East Avenue. Meet the leadership team, ask questions and hear about upcoming programs. Coffee and doughnuts are listed. YWCA event notice. |
Municipal Meetings · November 3–9 Turner Planning Board workshop · Wednesday, November 4, 6–8 p.m. Town Office, 11 Turner Center Road. Official calendar and notices. Bethel Select Board public hearing · Wednesday, November 4, 6 p.m. Town Office Meeting Room, 19 Main Street. The hearing concerns a liquor-license application for Mountain Social, 43 Main Street. Official notice. Rumford Planning Board · Wednesday, November 4, 6 p.m. Rumford Falls Auditorium. The town has posted a dated agenda. Read the meeting notice. Lewiston Finance Committee · Monday, November 9, 5:30 p.m. The city’s dated notice lists 103 Adams Avenue, Lewiston. Official meeting notice. Jay Special Town Meeting vote · Tuesday, November 3, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. Jay Community Building, alongside the state election. This is a ballot vote, rather than an evening floor meeting. Town warrant and voting notice. |
Business & Networking LA Metro Chamber Member Open House · Today, November 3 8:30–9:30 a.m. · 415 Lisbon Street, Suite 100, Lewiston. Free and open to current, new and prospective members, with coffee and a light breakfast. Open-house information. Hiring Your First Employee · Today, November 3 5–6:30 p.m. · Same Chamber address. Virginia Keel and Patrick Penley lead a free Start Up Session covering HR and payroll setup. Open to all. Session and registration. Business & Innovation: Allison Byers · Wednesday, November 4 7–8:30 p.m. · Olin Arts Center, 75 Russell Street, Lewiston. Free, registration required, with a focus on entrepreneurship, leadership and access to capital. Event registration. Brewing Better Business with BBB · Monday, November 9 9–11 a.m. · Chamber, 415 Lisbon Street, Suite 100, Lewiston. Coffee, conversation and business connections; reserve through the organizer’s event link. Details and reservation. Jay–Livermore–Livermore Falls Chamber breakfast · Thursday, November 5 7–9 a.m. · St. Rose Community Center, 2 Church Street, Jay. Townsquare Media is the named November program; registration is $15. Breakfast registration. BNI in the Valley · November 4–6 Androscoggin Network Builders · Wednesday, November 4, 7 a.m. Auburn Senior Center, 48 Pettengill Park Road, Auburn. In person. Request a visitor invitation. Growth Partners · Thursday, November 5, 7:30 a.m. The Brunswick, 4 Noble Street, Brunswick. In person. Chapter information and visitor contact. LA Metro BNI · Friday, November 6, 8:30 a.m. Central Maine Community College, 1250 Turner Street, Auburn. In person; request the campus meeting-room instructions with your invitation. Chapter and visitor registration. Days, times and venues were checked against BNI’s current chapter listings. Register before attending so the host can provide access details and any late changes. |
Business Pulse Crouse House plans a Lewiston café The coffee roaster is developing a café at 291 Lisbon Street. October coverage describes plans for the space and a $20,000 Kickstarter goal. The café is a planned opening; an operating date has not been confirmed for this issue. Project update. Harvest Moon Deli plans an Auburn location Reported plans place the new shop at 245 Center Street, with about 1,450 square feet and 32 seats. The target is late 2026 or early 2027, rather than a confirmed November opening. Expansion report. Know of an opening, closing, move or ownership change in Jay, Livermore Falls, Rumford, Mexico, Dixfield or Bethel? Send the business name, address and announcement to Sandy. |
Farmers’ Markets · November Hours Lewiston · Sunday, November 8, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. 2 Oxford Street, Lewiston, as linked in the operator’s current directions. The market operator has announced shorter November hours. Bring a bag for local produce, baked goods and other seasonal offerings, and use its current directions before leaving home. SNAP/EBT shoppers can ask about Maine Harvest Bucks for eligible produce purchases. The market staff can explain the current process and benefits. Current Lewiston market notice and directions. Shop with the season A winter market can have a different location, opening date and vendor mix from its summer counterpart. Before driving to a familiar stop farther up or down the Valley, use the organizer’s November notice rather than an old summer listing. |
Helping Hands Trinity Jubilee Center · Lewiston 123 Bates Street · 207-782-5700. The food pantry’s standing hours are Wednesdays, 7:45–10:45 a.m.; this week’s date is November 4. Day shelter, resource and employment services are listed Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–3 p.m. Access details and current services. Gather to Grow · Lewiston The state food-assistance directory lists the Bates/Walnut Streets location, Tuesdays 1–6 p.m. and Fridays 9 a.m.–noon. Call 207-513-3848 about the distribution process. State food-resource directory. Heating help · Androscoggin and Oxford counties Community Concepts handles HEAP applications for both counties, reaching households well beyond Lewiston–Auburn. Appointment numbers: 207-795-4065 or 207-743-7716. Eligible renters as well as homeowners may apply; program benefits go to the fuel vendor. Program and application information. Low fuel can become urgent. MaineHousing’s emergency fuel program season opened November 1. Contact your local agency about eligibility and next steps; the newsletter cannot promise a payment or delivery. State energy-assistance information. If you can lend a hand, ask a local pantry or community organization what it needs this week. A reliable volunteer shift or ride can matter as much as a donated item. Tri-town food help · Jay, Livermore and Livermore Falls The Food Cupboard at St. Rose Community Center, 2 Church Street, Jay, serves tri-town residents experiencing food insecurity. Published hours are Tuesday 2–4 p.m. and 6–8 p.m., and Wednesday–Thursday 2–4 p.m. Call 207-897-2441. Food cupboard information. |
Furry Friends Meet one currently adoptable animal from each of two organizations serving the Valley: Tonka at Greater Androscoggin Humane Society and Jasper through Fairy Tails Rescue. These are real photographs. Their needs and personalities differ, so start with the adoption team’s matching process and confirm availability before planning a visit. |
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Tonka is a young shepherd-type mix at GAHS in Lewiston.
He needs patient training and meet-and-greets with children and resident dogs. Read More... |
Greater Androscoggin Humane Society 55 Strawberry Avenue, Lewiston · 207-783-2311. Tonka’s ID is 61924659. Meet-and-greets with children and resident dogs are required. Current profile and adoption information. |
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Curious, independent Jasper is available through Fairy Tails Rescue.
Household matching matters, especially with other cats and young children. Read More... |
Fairy Tails Rescue Jasper’s listing places him in Rumford; arrange the actual meeting location with the rescue. Review requirements and complete the rescue’s application. |
One packet, two cans, three pounds of beef.
This classic oven supper turns a short shopping list into tender beef and rich gravy.
Serve it over noodles, rice or mashed potatoes. Read More... |
Looking Ahead November 11 · Veterans Day Confirm municipal, library and other service hours before making plans. November 12 · Maine Hire-A-Vet in Norway 11 a.m.–3 p.m. · Norway Armory, 23 Elm Street. The hiring and resource event welcomes all jobseekers, not only veterans. State event information. November 13–14 · Lisbon Falls holiday fair Friday 5–7 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.–2 p.m. · 14 School Street. Public fair details. November 14 · Lewiston Fall Artisan & Craft Fair 10 a.m.–3 p.m. · Memorial Armory gymnasium, 65 Central Avenue. Recreation department listing. November 14 · Dueling Pianos 7 p.m. · Franco Center, Lewiston. Program and ticket information. Organizers throughout the Valley: send public holiday fairs, hunters’ breakfasts, cookie swaps and community meals to Sandy. Include hours, address, admission and any reservation deadline. |
Episode 16: Living the Life I Choose — Jennifer Goddard
Jennifer Goddard of Bangor’s Thriving Proof joins Sandy on Maine Thrive Voices. Their conversation follows her move to Maine to be closer to her grandchildren, her experience becoming USOA Mrs. Maine 2025, and the story behind her business and book.
The 38-minute episode is now available on Spotify and other podcast platforms.
Listen to Jennifer’s episode on Amazon Music · Choose Spotify, Apple Podcasts or another platform |
Who’s Hiring? Lewiston · Temporary Highway Workers, winter season Posted October 29; applications close November 29 at 4 p.m. Lewiston · Highway Worker, Municipal Garage Shop Assistant and Water/Sewer Worker These city positions are listed open until filled. Review each posting’s duties, license requirements and application instructions. Lewiston openings. Lisbon · Customer Services Specialist / Collections Clerk The town lists this position open until filled. Lisbon · Full-Time Patrol Officer Listed open until filled. Town job descriptions and applications. Lisbon schools · Ed Tech II/III District-wide positions, 35 hours weekly for 36 weeks. Published hourly ranges: Ed Tech II, $18.44–$24.59; Ed Tech III, $20.99–$28.77, depending on experience. Authorization, fingerprinting and certification requirements apply. Lisbon schools · Part-time bus driver Published range $21.65–$28.87 per hour; CDL with S/P endorsements required. School application details. Apply directly through the employer. Openings can close as hiring proceeds. |
Italian comfort food in Lewiston’s Bates Mill: DaVinci’s Eatery is this week’s Valley dining stop. Read the full DaVinci’s article · Menu and restaurant information |
CMCC men’s basketball · Today, November 3, 7 p.m. The Auburn Mustangs visit the University of Maine at Farmington. UMF’s official schedule lists the game on its Farmington campus. Host’s schedule. Bates football · Saturday, November 7, 1 p.m. Bowdoin visits Garcelon Field in Lewiston for Senior Day. Bring a layer for the outdoor stands; Bates’ schedule provides live coverage links if you are following from home. Football schedule and coverage Basketball: mark the opening dates Bates women open at home Friday, November 13, at 7 p.m. against Pomona-Pitzer at Underhill Arena. The men open Saturday, November 14, at 3 p.m. at Western Connecticut in Danbury. Both are look-ahead dates, outside this issue’s November 3–9 window. Women’s basketball · Men’s basketball |
High School Sports · Valley Playoff Watch Soccer · Tuesday, November 3 4 p.m. · Telstar vs. Pine Tree Academy · Eight-player boys’ South regional final at Gardiner Area High School. 4 p.m. · Mount Abram vs. Hall-Dale · Class C boys’ South regional final at Edward Little High School, Auburn. 6:30 p.m. · Mount Abram vs. Maranacook · Class C girls’ South regional final at Edward Little High School. MPA matchup and broadcast listings. Football · Friday, November 6, 6 p.m. Dirigo travels to Freeport for a Class D South semifinal. It is an upper-Valley team to follow as the bracket narrows. Game listing. Field hockey · Two Valley teams advance Spruce Mountain defeated Lisbon 2–1 in the Class C South semifinal; Leavitt defeated Gardiner 3–1 in Class B North. Their regional-final opponents are Winthrop and Nokomis, respectively. Tournament bracket and updates. Championship weekend · Saturday, November 7 Soccer regional winners move on to state finals, including Class C at Lewiston High School. The MPA lists field-hockey state championships at Edward Little High School. Matchups follow this week’s regional results. Field-hockey championship information. Winter next: The projected general first winter practice date is November 16. Basketball and boys’ hockey games follow later in the season. All listed game times are Eastern. |
Runner Spotlight The October 31 state cross-country meet has passed, but the championship season is not quite over. Maine hosts the New England meet on Saturday, November 14. Qualifying runners and families should use the official meet information for entry, course and travel arrangements. MPA championship information. |
Sandy’s Maine Minute There is a lot of work behind an ordinary community invitation. Someone opened the building, arranged the chairs, made the coffee or answered the questions. If you attend something this week, thank one of those people. And if you know someone who would enjoy the outing, invite them along. A new greenhouse, a concert or a library storytime can give neighbors a reason to meet. That is worth making room for. — Sandy |
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Nancy Marshall, The PR Maven® — Public Relations, Strategic Communications & Visibility. Maine Based, Globally Connected. |
Marshall Communications |
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Subscribe, Share & Support Local Coverage Know someone who would enjoy Androscoggin Valley Voice? Forward this issue and invite them to subscribe free. We welcome events, business news and story suggestions from the whole Valley. Send them to sandy@mainethrive.org. Thank you to Marshall Communications for supporting this edition. Interested in introducing your business to local readers? Reply to Sandy about sponsorship opportunities. |
See You Next Tuesday! Your next Androscoggin Valley Voice arrives November 10. Thanks for being part of the Valley. — Sandy |
Trivia Answer · A. Mount Apatite Park Auburn’s Mount Apatite Park is known for its quarry and mineral history, with woodland trails to explore. Read the city’s visitor and collecting guidance before heading out. Park information. |