Children catch bubbles Aug. 17 in the parking lot of The Store Next Door, a resource center for students and their families, on Birch Street in Lewiston. Over 1,000 people attended the free barbecue organized by the Lewiston School Department to mark the end of its summer outreach program that provided numerous services for students and families. In addition to the food, entertainment and free haircuts by local barbers, 1,500 backpacks were given out. It also gave the School Department the opportunity to connect with students and parents, hand out schedules, sign students up and make connections before the start of school at the end of the month. Walmart presented a check for $15,000 to The Store Next Door. Visit sunjournal.com to view more photos of the event. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Nelly Lenhart stretches before class Aug. 16 at Andy Valley School of Gymnastics on Westminster Street in Lewiston, 30 years after her mother worked out when she was a German exchange student at Lewiston High School. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Cats scamper from under a porch Aug. 15 into a hole under a house at 113 7th St. in Auburn. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Edward Little girls’ varsity soccer coach, Tyler Shennett, center with hand raised, runs drills Aug. 14 with his team on the new turf field at Edward Little High School on Harris Street in Auburn. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Responses from the “I wish my teacher knew …” hang Aug. 13 in the window of the Lewiston Public Library. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Pilot Mark Radloff peers through one of the hot air balloon vents Aug. 18 at the Great Falls Balloon Festival in Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston. Andree Kehn/Sun Journal

People cast shadows on a hot air balloon Aug. 19 at the Great Falls Balloon Festival held in Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston. Andree Kehn/Sun Journal