Jeanne Raymond:
In this very chaotic world, there is a place of peace and beauty in Lewiston where one can go to “play” or just sit and unwind from the daily stresses of life. It provides life, sustenance, and a home for many “critters.” It also provides many forms of recreation for residents of all ages. No Name Pond belongs to everyone.

Russell A. Clark:
Lake Auburn is most definitely a gem. How many cities can boast they have a lake this size within city limits? Often we take for granted what we grow up with. I grew up in Auburn, headed off to college and moved away for many years. I lived in the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania for 10 years and in New Hampshire for many more years. Both areas are nice places to live, but not quite like home. After being away, I appreciate “L/A” all the more. I now live in Buckfield and work in Auburn. I drive the back way into North Auburn by way of the Holbrook Road. I usually take Lake Shore Drive into town. In either direction, any season, any time of day the drive is beautiful. The old Spring Road is also a gem within our city. The nature trails offer views we don’t see from our vehicles, not to mention a traffic free road for joggers, bicyclists or a walk with the dog.

No name provided:
Lewiston Public Library and all that it holds

Bates College and LAC and all that they give the community.

Jeannine R. Michaud:
The Falls after a heavy rain.

On the turnpike, the view at mile 1- 1/2 to Lewiston or Auburn – the town spread at your feet – you know you’re coming home.

M. Jones:
Lewiston Public Library

No name provided:
Definitely – “Jim Bennett”

Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence A. Nadeau:
Thorncrag

L/A Public Theater

Lewiston Public Library

Thorncrag Sanctuary (Stanton Bird Club)

Public Theater

Joanna Walsh-Ward:
Lewiston Public Library

Polly, Paul, and Jason – US Post Office on Lisbon Street

Celebration of Mass at the Basilica (Scott V. and the music ministry, the rector, Father Robert D. Lariviere)

The staff at St. Mary’s Hospital, especially Campus Cuisine

The Sun Journal – editors, columnists, photographers

Fernand E. St. Hilaire:
Basilica, Bates College, view from Mt. Davis, Kora Temple, Great Falls, Franco-American Center, Androscoggin River, Lake Auburn, Maison Marcotte Building, Androscoggin Bank Colisee, City Building, Kennedy Park, Lost Valley, Veterans’ Memorial

Janelle Mathieu:
Bates College – great walking place all year around – always pretty, peaceful and serene around the pond and the church.

Tabors is nice in the summer to get ice cream and sit and relax.

Starbucks – great place to meet a friend for coffee. Nice atmosphere. Lacks a little more privacy but still a good place to go.

No name provided:

Cafe Bon-Bon, Main and Park streets, Lewiston

Riverview Cafe, Lincoln Street, Lewiston

Patricia Marshall:
I have lived in Auburn-Lewiston all my life and have many special gems, but to me the best in my church, the Court Street Baptist Church at 129 Court St. in Auburn. Its steeple is a beacon to all. Each Sunday it guides us right to it all the way. We have been greatly blessed recently as after a big restoration, once again our bell rings out to gather our flock. We have a wonderful new minister, Rev. Dr. David Clark now, and all are welcome to attend.

I do have to mention our river. It is so beautiful, high or low. The falls are very special and the quiet spots like the North River Road in Auburn and the South River Road in Lewiston are so picturesque.

I also have to mention St. Peter and Paul’s Church, it too lends its height and beauty all around. The night lights are so impressing.

Jane B. Theriault:
It’s an honor to have the Basilica in our city where my husband and I were the first couple to marry in the upper church 60 years ago.

Bates campus is an asset to Lewiston.

Parish Holy Cross is a treasure to me.

What made the city of Lewiston are the mills, this is the gem of Lewiston.

Mrs. W.O. Stevens:
So many streets have lovely trees alongside them in both cities.

Donna Simpson:
Farmer Whitings on outer Summer Street in Auburn is a real gem! In the summer, the Whiting brothers grow and sell the best flowers and vegetables, and at Christmastime, beautiful flowers, greens and trees. Visits to the Whiting farm will get you back to nature. These local farmers are literally “the salt of the earth,” honest, friendly and hard-working.

Al’s Sports at 1818 Lisbon Rd. is another family-run business. The customer gets personal, friendly service from Mike, Kathy and Sean Simpson, who will come in early or stay late to accommodate customers. Al and Flo Simpson (parents of Mike, Donna and Steve) opened the business in 1964.

No name provided:
Edward’s Restaurant on Main Street, Lewiston

CVS on East Avenue, Lewiston

Mr. Paperback Book Store

Lewiston Library

Holy Family Church on Sabattus Street

No name provided:
Auburn Community Band – Milt Simon

L-AYSA

Park Avenue Methodist Bell Ringers (Auburn)

Auburn Superintendent Barbara Eretzian

Lewiston Auburn Community Forest Board

Fish Bones

No name provided:
Auburn Land Lab

Reichard:

CMMC’s Arbor House

L/A Arts

Androscoggin Chorale

Hospice House

The People of L/A

Irene Zarina White – author of “Fire Burn World War II Diaries,” she lives locally

Auburn Art Club

No name provided:
Orphan Annies

Cafe Bon-Bon

Bates College pond area

Community Little Theater

Bates Mill transitions

David Mtn.

Better cuisine! Espos/Fishbones/Gritty’s in town

Marion Flint Brooks:
Mt. David

Pauline P. Taylor:
L/A Arts – passionate about its importance to a community

Hannaford – a place where they know you by your first name. Friendly store.

No name provided:
Rick Whiting

Ernie David Ashton:
Mount David – Bates College – Great place to go get a “birds eye” view of the twin cities on a clear day. You see the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Nice rewards for a quick climb.

No name provided:
Farmer Whiting’s

Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute

Wallingford Fruit

Lost Valley

St. Dominic’s

Beatrice Jackson:
Wisdom’s Center, 97 Blake St., Lewiston. A “drop in” center for women and their children. A wonderful gem in the Lewiston area.

No name provided:
The Great Falls and Androscoggin River

Thorncrag Nature Preserve

The Greater Androscoggin Humane Society – new and old!

Garcelon Bog

Irene M. Milligan:
If you’re looking for a great deal you should visit Republic’s.

Republic Jewelry is a great place to shop. Very pleasant people to do business with. You have no pressure put on you. They will go out of their way to help you and answer any questions you may have. They have one of the largest selections of estate jewelry I have ever seen and much, much more.

Lewiston Pawn Shop is another favorite place of mine. They have many different things to look at. But of course jewelry is my thing. Why pay jewelry stores’ big prices when you can get great deals new and used at Lewiston Pawn Shop? Looking for a beautiful diamond ring, sapphire, ruby, anniversary bands you may want to check out on Lisbon Street, Lewiston Pawn Shop. The guys there treat you like family.

Marie Condon:
The Basilica

The Falls

Veterans Park

Balloon Festival

Franco-American Center

Bates College

L/A Arts

Community Little Theater

Longhorn Restaurant

St. Dom’s High School

Lincoln Street in springtime

The Colisee

Karin MacDonald:
I would like to take this opportunity to tell the public about a company that I recently worked for called Faith Works.

This company is located in the midst of the inner city of Lewiston on Canal Street. It is a company that gives everyone a chance to work regardless of their disabilities or work history. They treat their employees with such high regard, always showing appreciation for their work being done. I have many personal work experiences from supervisory jobs and I have never been treated so kind.

The employees take pride in their work and are always helping one another. It is a place with a family atmosphere.

It would be such a shame if the place were to close due to funding being cut. I believe having a place as such really contributes to people feeling good about what they do as well as feeling like they belong in the community.

I hope the people who keep the program running and all its employees know they have left a positive impression on me that will not soon be forgotten.

The community needs a place like Faith Works, to continue to give people the chance to feel the way I do. It’s a wonder feeling!

Carol Provencher:
No Name Pond – Lewiston!

No name provided:

When the snowshoers would came in on the train that stopped at the Lincoln Street depot, where they would form a line and start their drum and bugle groups, then march up to St. Mary’s Church. Later they would participate with the City Park and its ice castles.

Carol A. Proteau:
When I think of our “gems,” I think of many – our many beautiful churches and one basilica. Lisbon Street lined with old architecture. Auburn’s Spring Street and Elm Street (where the literary building is) are beautiful structures. I grew up here. I was born here as well as my dad, 84 years ago, for Dad is still doing very well.

The old stuff is intriguing, how did they do it? The big smoke stack on Lincoln Street, always noticed at the balloon festival as balloons go by. I have many pictures with the balloons and smoke stack.

Our big flag on top of the Five County Credit Union.

The autumn ride around Lake Auburn.

The apple orchards.

St. Peter’s, all lit up every night. Love that.

Also, we are getting more culture. There is a lot of interest with L/A Arts. You seem to write about that theater more than CLT. I love and prefer Community Little Theatre. The sets are awesome. I’ve been a season ticket holder for five or six years, front row seats with me, my 81-year-old mom and 36-year-old daughter. I love watching our local talent. The building is pretty used up, but the performances are top-notch.

We need to support our arts. We aren’t like Portland, but why not? I am very proud of Lewiston-Auburn!! I’m proud to live and work here.

Robert Poisson:
Without a doubt it is the river. Without it there would be no L.A. as we know it.

Even at high flood it was awe-inspiring. Think of all the work it created.

I’ve seen it through the flood in the ‘30s, the stink in the summer and the peace at other times. With just a little more clean-up, it could be a source of pleasure for everyone.

That’s my river.

Irene Pomerleau:
Many many things. I was born here and will die here. I love Lewiston.

I belong to the Basilica. For a while I had belonged to St. Mary’s Church, but after their closing I returned to the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul.

The transformation from St. Mary’s Church to the now Franco-American Heritage Center has become a great asset to our city. The monthly “La Rencontre,” which attracts over 300 people, has been to me the greatest asset in Lewiston. We have to praise Rita and Paul Dube and many others for their big success. It allows all of us francos to meet and reacquaint ourselves with each other. I simply love that place. They have many great volunteers who give their time and energy, and are rewarded by the success.

I have to name one volunteer in particular, who is so, so involved and works so hard. It is none other than Lou Jordan. She deserves to be acknowledged. No offense to all the other great volunteers and workers. It has become my favorite place in Lewiston.

L&A has a lot to offer and it is constantly growing. We all need to be very proud.

I belong to the Basilica. I live close to Bates College and Thorncrag. And, of course, I am a season ticket holder of the Maineiacs. Lewiston is the place to be.

Margaret Craven:
The Lewiston Public Library is a true community.

When I was young with two small children, we spent hours at the children’s room to be entertained and educated. To have adult resources and socializing in one spot for young moms was priceless and free for families who had few finances.

The revitalization of the Pillsbury Building makes the library a treasure and historical destination.

The Marsden Hartley oil is a treasure to be proud of, as is our (Robert) Indiana.

Jim Fawcett:
Androscoggin River and all its wildlife that it attracts: trout, bass, pike, gulls, ducks, eagles, mink, beaver, deer, moose, multitudes of song birds, on and on. The “Andy” is so precious, we must never mistreat her anymore. Politics aside, let’s treat her like a rare gem and let her shine in all her beauty.

Brian A. Pelletier:
I would like to tell you about Republic Jewelers, where they sell more than just jewelry.

Their clerks are very good people. They go out of their way to tell you about anything you ask about. If there is a sale coming up, they go into detail about the gem or gems in the ring, etc. Besides good people to deal with, there’s no pressure about anything.

The Lewiston Pawn shop is the same. Great people to do business with, attitude wise. The help is no pressure; they treat you like an old friend.

Luiggi’s, George’s Pizza, Day’s Jewelers, Dostie’s Jewelers, Silver Feather. There are many shops, some with more reasonable prices than others, but it always comes down to personnel and service after the sale as well!

Ruth Tucker:
I am 90, but I have very nice memories of Lisbon Street: 5 and 10 cent stores, banana splits, lunches and many other things.

Pecks, the train station, the string of theaters. It’s all different now. Me too.

Auburn has Great Falls, of course, and Lake Auburn. It hasn’t changed, yet. Still nice to look at.

There has been a great change since my day.

These are some of the things I miss today.

NEF:
The roads. You can feel like you’re four-wheeling on any street without having to go very far.

All the restaurants. You really never have to cook again.

Jim Bennett. He can make you laugh, cry and angry all at the same time. What a genius!

Mark Laflamme. Precocious pundit and purveyor of (fill in the blank).