For the past several weekends, I have been fortunate to take in the many opportunities in the communities of Lewiston and Auburn to listen, watch, laugh and relax from the negativity that abounds all around us.

The Franco-American Heritage Center, Bates College, L/A Arts, Public Theatre, Community Little Theater, and now the Center Stage Ensemble have all brought me to a place of peace and joy.

If you missed seeing our young thespians/artists of the voice perform March 22 to 24th, it was a great loss for you. I was astounded by the performance of men and women ranging in age of freshmen to senior students in “13,” a current Broadway production, produced here and directed by Richard Martin. It is critically important for us to support the young as they search for themselves through the arts.

Bravo to all who witnessed this performance, to the director, the support staff and musicians; and, most important, to the young people who gave me such a terrific opportunity to get away from the rhetoric of these chaotic times.

Bette J. Swett-Thibeault, Lewiston