On the afternoon of Thursday Nov. 30, the Baxter Memorial Library hosted a book signing event to benefit survivors of the recent  Lewiston shootings and for the families of the victims. This gathering was sponsored by Maine Authors for Lewiston, an ad hoc group of Maine authors with over seventy members throughout the state.

Participating authors in Gorham were expected to include Robert Spencer, Rosa Lane, Jennifer Dupree, Dave Patterson, Matthew Cost, Ed Judd, Richard Cass, Cheryl Gillespie, David Florig, Diane Madden, Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino, Stephanie Cotsiros, and Jeannie Julian.

The authors group has scheduled nine similar events at libraries around the state, from Aroostook County to York County. Two of the final events will take place at the Auburn Public Library (Dec. 9 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) and at the Lewiston Public Library (Dec. 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.)

These ten book-signing events are all being coordinated by David Florig, a local author and retired attorney who lives in Ocean Park. Proceeds from the book sales are being sent to the following three organizations, which also welcome direct contributions from the public:

• Central Maine Medical Center Compassionate Care Fund (assisting with medical bills of those who were uninsured or with limited medical insurance)
• City of Lewiston Support Fund/Androscoggin Bank Maine
• Community Foundation Lewiston Auburn Fund