Looking for a good book to read? Lewiston High School teacher Bernie Fortier is reading “Trevor Noah, Born a Crime,” and recommended it Monday night during the ceremony for August graduates.
The book is about Trevor Noah, a South African who took over for Jon Stewart as the host of “The Daily Show.” Noah was a comedian in South Africa, but not many realize he grew up in total segregation.
Noah made Fortier think of the seniors who graduated Monday night.
He grew up in poverty. His father was white, his mother black, “thus technically making him a crime because it was against the law for blacks to engage in sexual relations with whites,” Fortier said.
Noah lived in a house without running water, ate meat meant for dogs, and lived in fear of those who threatened murder or violence. His mother helped him learn English and get an education, which was also against the law.
Like the Lewiston High School seniors who graduated this week, Noah overcame amazing challenges and is successful, Fortier said.
As he said goodbye to his students, he urged them not to be shy about asking high school administrators and teachers for help after graduation.
“Many of us have helped students obtain jobs and plan their futures years after they have graduated.”
—Bonnie Washuk
Video tours of Lewiston released
A video tour to promote what Lewiston has to offer was released this week, the city’s community relations coordinator, Dottie Perham-Whittier, announced in a news release.
There are five videos, each engaging and short, that show the bragging points of the city, from the Great Falls Balloon Festival and Dempsey Challenge to the downtown restaurants, art walks, economic opportunities, high school and colleges.
The video came from CGI Communications and was made possible by local business sponsorships, Perham-Whittier said.
The five videos show different aspects of the city. One labeled “welcome” offers an overview. The others focus on quality of life, arts and entertainment, economic development and community organizations.
The videos can be found on the city’s website.
—Bonnie Washuk
On the road again
On Saturday morning, for the 19th consecutive year, a group of St. Anselm College students will walk from Lewiston to the college campus in Manchester, New Hampshire.
There are 46 walkers — six from Maine, five from New Hampshire, seven from Connecticut, 23 from Massachusetts, one from New York, two from Rhode Island, one from Virginia and one from Georgia.
The 130-mile journey takes eight days, and students join the pilgrimage to raise money for nine charities in Maine and New Hampshire.
Maine charities that will benefit are Community Concepts in Lewiston, the Good Shepherd Food Bank in Auburn, the York County Shelter Program in Alfred and Birthline/Catholic Charities in Portland.
The trek, called Road for Hope, was started by Seamus Griesbach of Lewiston, who walked to St. Anselm’s to start his school year in 1998. He is now the Rev. Seamus, director of vocations assigned to the Portland Diocese. He is also chaplain at St. Dominic Academy in Auburn.
According to St. Anslem’s website, the students’ ongoing mission “seeks to provide funds for the needy, strengthen the bonds in our communities, and rekindle the belief that every footstep makes a difference.”
The walkers plan to blog throughout their walk. Go to Road for Hope to follow along.
To make a donation, checks should be made out to Saint Anselm College (with “Road for Hope” in the memo) and sent to the Office of Campus Ministry, 100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester, NH 03102. FMI, call 603-641-7130.
— Judith Meyer