Ida has the inside scoop on everything Christmas

LEWISTON — This time, Ida LeClair is all about jingle bells and mistletoe.

The delightfully humorous lady from mythical Mahoosuc Mills, Maine, is coming to the stage of The Public Theatre on Dec. 4-6, and she's going to share all kinds of holiday stories, tips and gossip.

"A Very Ida Christmas" is Susan Poulin's new one-woman production. As Ida, whom audiences first met in the highly successful "Ida: Woman Who Runs With the Moose," Poulin has packaged another sure-fire audience pleaser.

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Music

Nov. 20: AUBURN, a teen open mic will be held at 6 p.m. at Auburn Public Library, 49 Spring St. Free 333-6640
Nov. 20: AUBURN, singer/songwriter Carole Wise will perform at 6:30 p.m. at Holly's Own Deli and Restaurant, 84 Court St. 333-3041
Nov. 20: AUBURN, Five Face North will perform at 7 p.m. at Lost Valley Ski Lodge, 200 Lost Valley Road. 784-1561

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AUBURN: "Faces of Literacy: Voices of Courage" will be featured Nov. 23 through Dec. 19 at Auburn Public Library, 49 Spring St. 333-6640
AUGUSTA: 60 photographs depicting Mainers playing and having fun at state fairs and festivals will be featured through Dec. 31 at the Maine State Museum, State House Complex. Gallery hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. 287-2301

Music-packed weekend

Rockabilly band

Looking Back on Nov. 20, 2009

100 years ago, 1909

The great provision store at 217-223 Main St., Lewiston, one of a chain of over 40 similar stores now in operation by The Mohican Co., will open to the public for business at 10 o'clock this morning with an extensive line of provisions of all kinds. The management of this new store promises goods of high quality at prices just above a living profit. The business will be conducted on a strictly cash basis; no orders will be solicited and no goods delivered.

 

50 years ago, 1959

Comedians offer contrasting styles at Fireside

AUBURN — New England favorite Tom Hayes and 2006 Boston Comedy Festival winner Dan Boulger will top a bill of comedy and contrasting styles Saturday, Nov. 21, at the Fireside Inn & Suites.

Since the Showtime cable network selected Hayes as the "Funniest Person in Boston" in 1986, he's been a staple on the New England comedy scene, working clubs, restaurants and theaters. Also an accomplished salesman and businessman, he works a steady diet of corporate shows as well, as both a corporate humorist and a motivational speaker.

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100 years ago, 1909

More than one person has been heard to express surprise that the small boys are allowed to play football on the City Park unmolested. The boys may be seen playing nearly every day and they do not keep down at the lower end which has been given over to them for a playground but prefer the good grass ground.

 

 

50 years ago, 1959

Veggies by Day will play Friday

 

Artwork on display

Murder mystery with laughs

Performance poet will appear at First Light

RUMFORD — Karin Spitfire, a performance poet, first poet laureate of Belfast and wilderness guide, will present her poetry at  2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, at First Light.

Spitfire has edited a poetry column in the Waldo Independent, taught a poetry workshop at the Belfast Free Library and hosted a poetry contest that raised $1,200 for the Waldo County Interfaith Fuel Assistance Fund. She has been on the steering committee of the Belfast Poetry Festival for four years, chairing the festival in 2008 when she introduced the first evening of performing artist and poet collaborations.

Looking Back on November 19, 2009

100 years ago, 1909

Turner is to have a new industry, which although not very extensive will make itself known by force of the merit of its products. Nicola Talarico will engage shortly in the manufacture of Italian cheese and will also carry a line of canned fruits and vegetables in the new store which is being opened near the bridge in the old Palmer and Davis market. So far as known, there is no other place in this part of the state where this variety of cheese is made.

 

50 years ago, 1959

Lobsters, nuns and the Bard's women will take center stage

BETHEL — The Western Mountains Senior College Players of Bethel will present nine comic and serious plays, including "A Merry Regiment of Women," by Rae Shirley, featuring many of Shakespeare's characters, on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 21-22, at Gould Academy.

Playing Lost Valley

Ancient ballads are among Ladies' specialities

CARTHAGE — Maine's Ladies of the Lake, which specialize in traditional Celtic instrumental music and ballad singing, will perform at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, at Skye Theatre Performing Arts Center. "Dancing Bob" McCormick of Blue Hill will conduct a step dance workshop from noon until 2 p.m. ($15 for the two-hour class; call 562-4445) and will perform Cape Breton-style step dance during the concert.

Good Theater show features Broadway star

PORTLAND — Norm Lewis, a Drama Desk Award nominee, will be this year's headliner for the annual "Broadway at Good Theater" concerts on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 3-6.

  Act one is devoted to the music of Broadway with songs from "South Pacific," "The Scarlet Pimpernel," "Chess," "Hair," "Man of LaMancha" and many others shows. Act two highlights songs of the holiday season. Besides well-known numbers like "Sleigh Ride," "What Child Is

Top-notch casting, imaginative set help OHMPAA succeed

NORWAY — Two things lead to success for the current Oxford Hills Music and Performing Arts Association first weekend production of "How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying." They are the show's excellent casting and an imaginative set.

The whole show is pure fun. Its songs and dances are lively, and every actor puts just the right spin on the part.

New resident will serenade Farmington

FARMINGTON — At noon on Friday, Nov. 20, Ariel Simpson-Johnson, one of the community's newest residents, will give a public performance titled "Here's One Way to Say..." Timed with the traditional noon hour bells of  Henderson Memorial Baptist Church, she will sing selected hymns and interact with passersby for about 45 minutes.

Mt. Valley will stage 1940s comedy

RUMFORD — Mt. Valley High School will present "Harvey," a 1940s comedy by Mary Chase, at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 19-21.

When Elwood P. Dowd returns home from playing pinochle at the Fourth Avenue Firehouse to find his sister, Veta, and niece, Myrtle, hosting a party for the Wednesday Forum, he is more than thrilled to see his friends. Much to the dismay of Veta and Myrtle, he wants to introduce Harvey, his best friend — who happens to be a 6-foot, 3½-inch tall white rabbit no one else can see.

'Alive in Lewiston' celebrates community with food, music and art

LEWISTON — "Alive in Lewiston: a Celebration of Local Food, Music and Art" pays tribute to the city we call home and Maine's bounty and beauty, while raising funds for Lots to Gardens, an urban agriculture and youth empowerment program of St. Mary's Health System.

The event will be held Friday, Nov. 20, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at St. Mary's Nutrition Center of Maine at 208 Bates St.

All that jazz

International band has roots in Farmington

FARMINGTON — The Young Republic, an internationally known band that includes a musician with Farmington roots, will perform at the University of Maine at Farmington's student center on Tuesday, Dec. 1. The show is free and open to the public.

The Young Republic has performed throughout the United Kingdom and is now touring the Midwest and East Coast to promote its new album, "Balletesque," out on End of the Road records.

'The Goodbye Girls'

"The Goodbye Girls," by Linda Britt, is the story of two sisters who reunite at their mother's deathbed to say goodbye, and to resolve some unsettled issues between the two of them. The situation is very real and, therefore, sad, but there are also many moments of humor. Above, Cheryl Reynolds and Anna Cyr, who play the sisters, react to unexpected comments from Reverend David, minister to the dying, played

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100 years ago, 1909