Group History: Advertised by adult education from a woman new to the area and looking for assistance in starting a meeting. Paul D. offered to assist her. The electricity went out; hence the twilight, with candles from the kitchen where the meeting was held. About a month later Paul D. continued to make coffee and for two weeks no one joined him. "If you build it they will come" and they did.

Slowly the group got too big for the little room in the administration building and moved to the high school. Due to construction, the meeting needed to move again. This time it was difficult to find a welcomed place in Turner. Churches in the area explained they have no alcoholics in their congregations. Community buildings had no heat in the winter. Finally, Nezinscot Guild opened its doors to Turner AA, only to be asked to leave one year later. At last, Central Maine Veterinary Hospital has become a permanent place, complete with a bathroom and running water.

Though we have moved 4 times in the group's 14-year history the group is resilient. Just can’t kill AA in Turner. HP must want the drunks in Turner, Buckfield, Livermore Falls, Sumner, Greene, Leeds, Minot, Auburn, and Lewiston to have a place to meet on Tuesday nights.

Recently, we had to buy more chairs. Thought the business meetings fly by the seat of our pants, we do contribute regularly to CSO, District, Area, and pay our rent.

We celebrate group anniversary with a potluck dinner in November at 6 pm before the meeting. All are welcome at anniversaries with an open meeting, celebrated at the end of the month. Meetings are closed, for alcoholics only, the first 3 Tuesdays of the month.

* Submitted by Heidi C. – June 2004 *