LEWISTON — The Great Falls Forum lecture series at the Lewiston Public Library kicks off a new season with two opening-week events. On Tuesday, Sept. 15, former Sen. George J. Mitchell will be talking about his recently-published memoir, “The Negotiator,” and on Thursday, Sept. 17, Kevin Lewis, CEO of Community Health Options, will speak on “Moving Beyond Coverage Towards Reducing the Total Cost of Care.” Both of these talks will take place from noon to 1 p.m. in Lewiston Public Library’s Callahan Hall.

Mitchell served in the U.S. Senate from 1980 to 1995 and was the Senate’s Majority Leader for the last six of those years. Following his Senate career, Mitchell served as a U.S. Special Envoy under presidents Clinton and Obama, and among the many accomplishments, he was the primary architect of the Good Friday Agreement, bringing peace to Northern Ireland.

“The Negotiator” is a classic tale of the American dream, covering the Senator’s life from humble beginnings in Waterville, through Bowdoin College, to the highest levels of the world stage. Throughout the memoir, Mitchell offers hilarious stories and valuable insights into the last half century of business, history and politics. Copies of the book will be available for sale at the event, and Mitchell will be signing books following his presentation.

The Forum series will continue with Kevin Lewis from Community Health Options, a new Lewiston-based non-profit offering coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Lewis will be reviewing the gains that have been made to date under the Affordable Care Act and will discuss the efforts currently underway to improve health care outcomes while also reducing the total costs of care.

Prior to starting Health Options, Lewis was the CEO of the Maine Primary Care Association, the statewide organization of Federally Qualified Health Centers from 2002 to 2012. Kevin earned his bachelor’s from Dartmouth College in 1991 and a master’s in public policy from the University of Michigan in 1995.

Admission is free to all Forum events, and no reservations are required. The programs are a bring-your-own brown-bag lunch event. Coffee, tea and bottled water will be available on site at the library.

The Lewiston Public Library is located downtown at 200 Lisbon Street at the corner of Pine Street.

FMI: 207-513-3135, www.LPLonline.org.