LEWISTON — It took nine minutes for thousands of people to stream across the starting line early Saturday morning under brightening skies for the start of the fifth annual Dempsey Challenge. From a nearby stage, actor Patrick Dempsey cheered, waved and declared it “good to be home.” While the fundraising total won’t be announced until […]
Patrick Dempsey
Thousands turn out to walk, run fifth annual Dempsey Challenge
LEWISTON — Jolene Schatz had a double mastectomy 18 months ago, just in case. Doctors had warned her: Breast cancer was so common in her family, it was probably just a matter of time. “They said she would get cancer if she didn’t do anything about it,” said her husband, Jonathan. The Old Orchard Beach […]
Dempsey fundraising total hits $1 million before start of weekend Challenge
LEWISTON — Before the first participants walked, ran or cycled at this weekend’s Dempsey Challenge, the annual event had already raised more than $1 million, organizers said Friday. “This is the second year that we have actually raised $1 million before the weekend had even started,” event manager Aimee Arsenault said. “That’s really, really encouraging.” […]
Dempsey stops by the ‘Ellen DeGeneres Show’ before the Challenge
Patrick Dempsey appeared on the “Ellen DeGeneres Show” on Thursday to drum up support for breast cancer research ahead of the Dempsey Challenge this weekend. Dempsey began the show by plugging the 200th episode of “Grey’s Anatomy” before appearing on stage wearing a pink bathrobe. Two members of the group Fall Out Boy, who performed […]
Dempsey Challenge kicks off with marketplace fundraiser
LEWISTON — Here’s what it sounded like when the Dempsey Challenge Weekend got off the ground. “Oh, that’s tasty,” cooed a woman sampling a sushi roll from Sea 40. “Oh, that’s just delicious.” “Well, there,” declared a woman who just bought a big heap of jams and jellies. “I guess my Christmas shopping is officially […]
Dempsey Challenge tightens security
LEWISTON — Officials plan tighter security for this weekend’s fifth annual Dempsey Challenge — scheduled to include about 3,800 participants and crowds of spectators likely to surpass 3,000 — but don’t expect bomb-sniffing dogs, Jersey barriers or metal detectors. “The phrase we’re using is ‘intelligent vigilance,’” said Aimee Arsenault, the challenge’s event manager. “We have […]
Organizers hoping for ‘hugely successful’ Dempsey Challenge
LEWISTON — More than 3,000 people have registered to walk, ride and cycle in the 2013 Dempsey Challenge, scheduled for Oct. 12 and 13. And the crowd is getting bigger. “We had a record-breaking year last year, as far as participants and fundraising went,” spokesman Mark Turcotte said. “We’re pretty close to those numbers right […]
Dempsey is ideal figurehead, experts say
LEWISTON — Among celebrities who raise money for charities, Patrick Dempsey is one of the best, marketing experts say. The TV and movie actor’s personal connection to his cause and his continued involvement is worth a fortune, said John Mahon, a professor of management at the University of Maine and a private consultant. “You can […]
Racing reality show to feature Patrick Dempsey’s road to Le Mans
LEWISTON — Patrick Dempsey’s work to compete in auto racing’s most famous endurance race — France’s 24-hour-long Le Mans — will be the focus of a new four-episode reality TV show debuting Wednesday. It may even include a little local footage. A crew from Discovery’s car-culture network, Velocity, filmed the TV and movie star last […]
Friends share stories of Patrick Dempsey before he was famous
BUCKFIELD — Denise Reehl heard the teachers’ warnings. “Watch out for these two,” they’d tell Reehl, who showed up at Buckfield High School to help the kids put on a play. “They’re always acting out in class. They won’t sit still for five minutes.” Reehl ignored the teachers and gave the boys each a spotlight. […]