Charles Hotham, left and his friend Paul Bickford practice July 3 at Bickford’s garage in Auburn. The two have known each other for more than 20 years, and played in a few bands together. With the COVID-19 pandemic and Bickford’s moving away, their music-playing had been on “hiatus” according to Bickford, who recently moved back to the area and reconnected with Hotham. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Natalie Lewis, 6, rounds the corner of her family’s car July 9 in Auburn, while carrying her umbrella and wearing rubber boots. Her mother, Casandra Lewis, follows Natalie. The two are headed to the mall. “It’s raining and we need something to do,” Casandra Lewis says. Andree Kehn/Sun Journal

Lilianna DeMille, 7, plays on a swing set July 8 at the High Street Playground in Auburn, as her babysitter, Traci Dennis, center, and friend Portia Lothrop sit on swings. DeMille says she likes watching television, but loves swinging. Andree Kehn/Sun Journal

Museum L-A Executive Director Audrey Thomson, left, and Program and Marketing Coordinator Denise Scammon demonstrate the board game A River’s Journey on July 7 at the museum in Lewiston. Each player has a choice of being a boater or a fish, navigating the river while following instructions on the spaces on which they land. The museum exhibit is titled “Our Working Waterway,” and features the Androscoggin River and celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act. The museum closed in December and reopened only after local COVID-19 rates declined for seven consecutive days. “It’s an exciting day for us,” Thomson says. “Even if very few people show up, we are happy to provide the opportunity for families who are ready to venture out.” All visitors and staff members are required to wear protective masks at the museum. Andree Kehn/Sun Journal

Fireworks light the sky July 5 over Great Falls and the Androscoggin River, between Lewiston and Auburn, as the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul looms in the foreground during the 2021 Liberty Festival. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Fireworks light the sky July 5 over Great Falls and the Androscoggin River, between Lewiston and Auburn, as the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul looms in the foreground during the 2021 Liberty Festival. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal