We drove down Strawberry Ave. in Lewiston towards the animal shelter and again told the kids we were just looking. As we walk in, a few cats caught our eye. “Luna” and “Boo Boo”, and Dylan, our 13-year-old, liked one named “Ivy.” We were generally looking for a cat that was slightly past the kitten stage as “Thunder” is now 8 months old and a kitten would be too much. It’s not just about age and “adorability.” Some cats play better with other cats, animals and small children than others. Personalities and the cat’s experiences play into which cat you choose.

I want to thank the staff and volunteers for helping us through the process of finding a cat that will adapt to our household. We were told “Luna” and “Boo Boo” were out due to being fidgety, skittish, etc. While we were there, I saw cat adoptions taking place and empty cages. I guess that’s a good sign. I’m not on the board, so I don’t really know, but I assume that’s a good thing?

Back in December when we adopted “Thunder”, we saw a cat named “Belle.” “Belle” was still there yesterday, rather sad,but we were told she wouldn’t fit the profile as a good choice for us as she was about 9-years-old.

After looking for about 20 minutes or so through the 15 or so cats at the shelter, we saw “Sweetie” a beige-brown-orangy colored mixed domestic. “Sweetie” and Vikki, our almost two-year-old, looked to get along and after chilling with the cat, for about 15 minutes we thought “Sweetie” was well tempered, cute and good to go. There was some discussion about looking further at “Ivy” but “Thunder” is gray and “Ivy” was black and white. Color was important to us as well.

While signing the paperwork and paying the $50, “Sweetie” was chipped and at the same time Dylan went out to the car to get the cat carrier. So it was official, she was coming home with us. How she will take to “Thunder” and vice versa was the only question left. OK, it was one of the few remaining questions we still had. That being said, she was subdued on the ride home in the carrier.

So far “Thunder” and “Sweetie” are doing OK. It was bit of a staring contest through the first few hours after meeting. Later last night there was a bit of chasing and squabbling between the two cats. Today they are doing better, finding their spots and roles in the family. I will say this though, “Thunder” is way more tidy and delicate with the litter box, Sweetie is a kicker, kind of like a bull in a china shop.

‘Make A Wish’ is an organization that grants wishes to children with life threatening medical conditions, not just children with a terminal diagnosis. Wishes rage from the grandest to the most simple and modest. Some choose Disney World like a friend of mine’s son did, I talked with one grandmother of a child whose wish it was to meet Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen back in 1999. I know of one child whose wish it was to light a city Christmas Tree. Children’s wishes vary greatly.

In the pre-walk announcements I heard it said that in Maine raised in just a few walks, Make A Wish raised about $100,000. Cool beans, all. It’s because of people you kids with with life threatening medical conditions can enjoy some time in an otherwise traumatic time.

I met Conjuring Carroll a magician, entertainer and balloon artist. He’s great with kids and even made me a Moose balloon.

Since 1992, over 20 years, Make A Wish in Maine has granted more than 1090 wishes at an average of $6000 a wish. So your generosity is needed and much appreciated. For more information on Make A Wish you can call, 1-800-491-3171 or visit their website.You can also mail your donation to:

477 Congress St. Suite M1
Portland, ME
04101

The car, driven by Chris Bowie, is a vehicle, both figuratively and literally to raise awareness and money for non-profits including helping the hungry and homeless. It is part of Electricity Maine’s campaign, ‘The Power To Help.’ See this is why I am happy to be their customer. A) Electricity Maine is local, I’m happy knowing my money is going to a company located on Rodman Rd. in Auburn and not some out of state faceless power company. B) They give back to the community they serve. Think about switching or staying with Electricity Maine if for no other reason, they’re local and help the community and not to mention you can save some money in the process. Recently ‘The Power To Help’ fund helped the Lewiston fire victims. Locals helping locals, there isn’t much better than a philosophy like that.

The Electricity Maine Pro Series car can be seen this evening at the Lisbon Community Center at their spring movie event. Yes, the movie is ‘Cars.’ So again it’s Lisbon tonight and Beech Ridge on Saturdays.

Someone has been missing from the Moose Morning Show.

92 Moose’s Mac Dickson has been out for the past few weeks recovering from back surgery. Renee Nelson and Jon James, his friends and partners on the Moose Morning Show, recently took the above photo to wish Mac a speedy recovery.

We want you the listeners to help wish Mac well. Send him your best wishes in the comment section below, or use the attached form to upload photos wishing Mac a speedy recovery, and we’ll put them here on the website for Mac to see!

Thanks! And from all of us at 92 Moose, get well soon Mac!

Kala opened the store 35 years ago and it being growing ever since. Yes, they have over 9500 (that number is correct) bolts of fabric in every color or design you can imagine, all the notions, the amazing Janome Sewing machines, ya know, all the ‘stuff’ to quilt.  With that much fabric can touch and feel the fabric before you buy, you can see how things go together side by side. But I am sure they secret to their success is everyone who works in the store. They are all quilters, they know this stuff inside and out, and they want you to be a successful quilter.  Together they have over 150 years of quilting experience. So one of the ladies will have any needed advice. They are super friendly and care about your experience shopping there.

You have to see this place for yourself.  The Fabric Garden is truly destination shopping if you are a quilter.  I would suggest, unless you really have a solid plan on your project, come early in the day. You are going to need some time.  Their 35^th anniversary sale will be going on to May 25^th.  There are saving ALL over the store, the new Corner Cottage and DAILY Quilter’s Gift Baskets worth over $135 and they will give away every day. Also one person will end up winning the Ultimate Quilters Package with a Janome sewing machine and accessories worth $1350!

Thank you to everyone at The Fabric Garden in Madison and HAPPY 35^TH ANNIVERSARY!

There’s a difference in the people and their thoughts and emotions between this fire and the one from a week ago. A week ago residents and bystanders were sad, sympathetic with jaws gaping in disbelief of what just happened.This morning as I was taking pictures and walking about, those same near by residents and bystanders are seemingly angrier. My biggest takeaway from this morning is, this part of Lewiston is close knit and has a huge heart and a “don’t mess with us attitude.”

There are drives to help the victims of these fires. You can donate to the local American Red Cross, YWCA of Lewiston and the Lewiston chapter of the Salvation Army.

Get in to win the Mid-Week Lunch Bunch for your office. Sign up here!

Today, April 30, is ‘National Hairstyle and Hairstylist Appreciation Day.’ In my life, I have had hairstyles ranging from the bowl cut, spiky, a mullet, tapered back and sides, long with no bangs, parts, no parts, sideburns on as well as sideburns off. It’s a rather difficult task keeping up with hairstyles. There was the wet gel look, hairspray, big hair and subdued styles. Styles ebb andflow.

In a pinch, my wife has cut my hair and done a good job at it too. I’ve been to higher-priced salons, schools and places in between to have my hair cut. The schools do a great job at hair. The students maybe slightly slower, but you do come out looking like a fresh new man or woman as the case may be. Nothing gets done without the oversight of a teacher for just $5.

Have you heard the expression “the only difference between a good cut and a bad one is a week?” Do you have any regrettable hairstyles? Any hairdressers you love? I was a bigger hair junkie in my youth. I went peroxide blonde for about a year at 16, it was pretty sweet. I think it might have been a football rookie hazing that caught on as a hairstyle?

For the most part, I’ve rocked the same basic cut since I was 24. There have been variations in length and hair product, but basically I have had the same do. You’ve seen my hair today, so how about my hair from yesteryear? This is a bit self-serving I know, but hopefully you get a chuckle, I know I do in embarrassment.

Last night I drove to the scene of the Lewiston apartment fire. It was dark and smoky and I really couldn’t get a good concept of how bad the blaze was, so I went again this morning. Oh my word, what a sad sight of charred remains, half standing buildings and melted roofs.

I saw a couple crying being interviewed by our local TV station, I also spoke with Mike Carney, the regional maintenance supervisor of an Ash St. apartment complex who told me the water was waist-high at that apartment complex. The standing water was three feet high and caused by the fire hoses putting out the fire.

It’s just a devastating sight between Ash and Pine on both Bates and Blake streets in Lewiston.There is some good news though, nobody was either seriously injured or worse killed, but on a sad note there are 75 people now homeless and without much so I’m sure any help you could give would be much appreciated.

The American Red Cross and Lewiston Salvation Army are taking donations. I’ll keep an ear out if or when a fund that specifically helps gets set up for these people and pass it along.

A massive fire can beseen from quite a distance and is raging out of control in Lewiston at 111 Blake Street. Be careful driving through the area if you have go through that part of Lewiston as there are firefighters from Lewiston and surrounding towns battling the blaze. A four alarm fire broke out at about 4:30 this afternoon and is causing damage to 111 Blake St. and now damaging the buildings beside the apartment complex which originally caught fire. The apartment complexes have all eventuated and at this time it looks as though everybody is out and accounted for according to the Lewiston Police Chief, Michael Bussiere.

(Source: Sun Journal)