celebrating monetarily “huge” sponsorships for the ongoing effort to raise funds for a comprehensive sports complex. The sponsorships will be announced at a pre-game tailgate gathering and at halftime of the homecoming football game between Lewiston High School (LHS) and the Bangor Rams. The game will commence at 7 p.m. at Franklin Pasture Complex – Don Roux Football Field, Lewiston, with tickets at $5, which includes a $2 donation to the Franklin Pasture Project.
The Franklin Pasture Sports Complex Fundraising Campaign, with a goal of $5 million, is deemed a project that will put Lewiston "on the map" for championship level facilities and competitions, providing growing opportunities for Lewiston’s youth. The complex is touted as an investment with far-reaching impact to vast school and recreation activities, as well as the City of Lewiston as a whole.
Heather Hunter, a member of the fundraising campaign, notes, “I am pleased with the progress made to date, and it’s going to be an exciting homecoming event with memorable steps forward towards bringing this project to fruition.”
Jason Fuller, Athletic Director for Lewiston High School, concurs, “How far we’ve come on this project is a huge step for this community, a real landmark! The city, school, and community commitment to this project continues to run strong, and Friday night will be a wonderful celebration of partnerships in action.”
Sponsorships Announcements:
Highlights of Pre-Game Tailgate Gathering – 6:55 p.m.: $25,000 “Announcer Level” Sponsorship by The
Timothy J. Mynahan Foundation – Naming rights of the Main Complex Scoreboard in honor of 1988 Lewiston High School graduate Timothy J. Mynahan. Interestingly, the LHS Class of 1988 will be having a class reunion the weekend of this announcement, so many of Mynahan’s classmates will be able to attend this recognition honor. In addition, a local family, The Cronins, will be sponsoring $30,000 for main complex improvements.
Prior to the above-noted sponsorship announcements, a pre-game tailgate gathering—sponsored by the Maine Army National Guard—will occur from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m., and during that time, Q97.9 & WCYY will be broadcasting LIVE with special prize giveaways, along with various games/activities.
Timothy J. Mynahan graduated from Lewiston High School in 1988 as valedictorian of his class. In addition to being a standout on the playing field and in the classroom, he was also a member of the National Honor Society and an officer in the Key Club. His dedication and commitment as a student and athlete helped him to establish his reputation as an outstanding individual. His drive for success and admirable character made him a role model for many other students.
In Mynahan’s collegiate years at the College of the Holy Cross, he maintained the same level of academic excellence he had demanded of himself while in high school. He also demonstrated the social awareness and community service that, in the Holy Cross tradition, made him a “person for the other people.” Because of the qualities he demonstrated, he was twice the recipient of the Charles A. Dana Scholarship. This award, based on both intellectual and leadership ability, is one of the most prestigious awards a Holy Cross student can receive. In addition, Mynahan was selected as a member of the Alpha Sigma Nu National Jesuit Honor Society, which is as selective and prestigious of an award as the Dana Scholarship.
As demonstrated by his many accomplishments, Timothy J. Mynahan was a talented student and gifted leader and had a profound impact on those around him. The Timothy J. Mynahan Foundation is a private, non-profit organization established in 1991. It was established as a tribute to Mynahan who died on August 11, 1991, as a result of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. This organization provides Scholarship assistance in the amount of $2,500 for deserving high school students in the Lewiston-Auburn and Lisbon areas.
Game Half-time – Approximately 8:00 p.m.: $200,000 “Emerald Level” Sponsorship by Lewiston High School 1974 graduate Dave Roux, nephew of former Lewiston School Superintendent Joseph Deschenes, and his wife, Barbara, of Upperville, Virginia - Naming rights of the Baseball Field & Press Box in honor of Deschenes. This announcement/dedication will be followed by a brief fireworks celebration.
Joseph Deschenes was born in 1924 into a large, French-speaking family in Brunswick. He moved to Portland in his early teens, attended Portland High School but left at 17 to enlist in the service and fight in WWII. He became a radioman/gunner and after 14 months and 64 combat missions out of Sardinia, he returned home with the Air Medal, 2 Presidential Citations, and the Croix de Guerre. He finished high school at Portland and attended Gorham State Teachers College on the GI Bill, where he played baseball and, believe it or not, basketball (small stature) and met and married his wife, Betty. He began his teaching and coaching career in Presque Isle, then Sanford, Biddeford, and finally came to Lewiston in 1966, first as Assistant Superintendent and later as Superintendent of Schools from 1967 to 1977. He was the driving force behind the building of the new Lewiston Comprehensive High School, completed in 1974, along with many other innovative and ambitious accomplishments during his tenure. He and Betty raised 4 children: Lisa, Dennie, Lance, and Dana and enjoyed four grandchildren: Heather, Ananda, Ian and Miguale, and a great grandson, Gabriel. Deschenes was also proud of his 20-year career with the Maine National Guards, where he was a senior officer in charge of training cadets. He always loved baseball, as a smart, scrappy catcher for his high school, college, and Air Force teams and also as a loyal Red Sox fan. A fond memory is of the summer of '67 listening to the games of the Red Sox Pennant winning Miracle Season on the radio. Deschenes continued his commitment to public service even after retirement serving on both the Lewiston and Auburn City Councils.
Maggie Chisholm, Lewiston’s Director of Recreation, reflects on what’s lined up for the weekend, “The upgrade of the Franklin Pasture Athletic Complex will certainly enhance the recreation and athletic experiences for the community at large. It will provide optimum recreation and athletic quality and quantity use for the participants, spectators and visitors.”
In addition, as a weekend wrap-up, Chisholm wishes to remind folks that a Franklin Pasture Tennis Fundraiser will be held on Saturday & Sunday, October 12th & 13th, commencing at 8 a.m. The fundraiser will take place at the new tennis courts, and the fee to participate is $10 per person. USTA rules will apply, and play will include ten (10) minute warm-ups and serves two out of three sets, with a twelve-point tie-breaker at six-all. All proceeds will benefit further tennis court renovations, namely the restrooms, wind screens, and the bleachers. Divisions will be doubles, women’s, men’s, and mixed. Interested players may register at the Lewiston Recreation Department, 65 Central Avenue, Monday – Friday, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Inquiries may be directed there at 513-3005; TTY/TDD 513-3007 or to Rec’s Director of Adult & Youth Tennis Anita Murphy at 783-3250.
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