Mystery Photo for August 7, 2016

There were several dozen people call to identify the locks on the fence along the Riverwalk in Auburn, overlooking the Androscoggin River. Several noted that they had placed one there themselves. A love lock or love padlock is a padlock which sweethearts lock to a bridge, fence, gate or similar public fixture to symbolize their love. Typically the sweethearts’ names or initials are inscribed on the padlock and its key is thrown away to symbolize unbreakable love. Chosen in a random drawing, the winner, Michael Allarie of Auburn, walks past the locks almost every day, so he had no trouble identifying where the photo was taken. When notified that he was the winner, he admitted that “I quit smoking and put on some weight, so I have been walking a lot along the river and go past them every time, so I knew just where they were.” Allarie is the winner of a $20 gift card from Hannaford Supermarkets.