Army veteran Dani Begert salutes on Dec. 11 after placing a wreath on a memorial bench in Veterans Memorial Park in Lewiston. Amaya Holmes, middle, and Dayveon Holmes, right, look for a place to place theirs with their mother, Arielle. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Patience Success Jowah hugs a person she supports after helping her in the bathroom Dec. 13 at a group home in Auburn where she works as a direct support professional. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Eli St. Laurent of Edward Little High School passes to Diing Maiwen during a game Dec. 12 against Mt. Blue High School in Farmington. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Bill Buzza directs the Edward Little High School concert band Dec. 11 during a rehearsal at the Donald M. Gay Performing Arts Center at Edward Little High School on Harris Street in Auburn. The center opened to the public for the first time Dec. 12 for the ELHS Music Department’s winter concert, and featured performances by the concert and jazz bands as well as the concert, treble, chamber and a cappella choirs. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

A puppy from the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society takes a short breather between humans Dec. 15 at Lewiston City Hall. The Humane Society organized the event, called the “Polar Snuggle Express,” and brought puppies and kittens to both Lewiston City Hall and Auburn City Hall, offering city officials a well-deserved cuddle break. Katie Lisnik, the executive director of the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society, expressed her desire to “bring a bit of furry cheer to the hardworking people who have been so impacted by this challenging year.” Andree Kehn/Sun Journal

With construction of the new Edward Little High School in Auburn complete, and demolition of the old school nearly finished, construction workers begin to focus on the groundwork for several athletic fields on Dec. 12. Visit sunjournal.com to watch a flyover of the project. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

A thick pea soup fog Dec. 12 envelops the Riverwalk in Auburn, leaving residents to grapple with reduced visibility and an eerie atmosphere. Andree Kehn/Sun Journal

Rita Beaudry gives instructions Dec. 14 to Auburn elected officials backstage prior to the start of the inauguration ceremony at the Donald Gay Performing Arts Center at Edward Little High School in Auburn. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Ashley Bishop, a volunteer for Heaven’s Kitchen Ministry of St. Anne Parish, hands Adeline Nadeau a cup of coleslaw on Dec. 15 at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Lewiston. Nadeau’s father, Tyler Nadeau, is the director of Evangelization and Catechesis at Prince of Peace Parish, who sponsored the dinner to celebrate those involved in the immediate response and aftermath of the mass shooting on Oct. 25. “As these responders go about their important work in the city of Lewiston and beyond, the basilica stands watch,” said Nadeau. “We want them to know that it is so much more than a landmark in the skyline; it is a place they can come in and find rest, seek peace, and be with one another in community.” Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal