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BY JOEL ELLIOTT
Staff Writer 09/28/2008

enlarge Staff Photo by Thomas Michael Corcoran

IN SKOWHEGAN: Betty Anne Hofmann and Diane Engler, both of Skowhegan, exit the Empire Grill that was made famous by the filming of the HBO miniseries “Empire Falls.” Hofmann's son Greg worked in wardrobe for the movie. "In fact, I had Helen Hunt’s sneakers for a while. They didn't fit her,” said Hofmann. “I wore them out.”

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"Empire Falls" was a mini-series based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel with the same name by Maine author Richard Russo, and was filmed in 2003 in Skowhegan, Waterville and other places in the state. It depicts a dying mill town as seen through the eyes of the fictional manager of the Empire Grill, a real restaurant on Water Street in Skowhegan.

Yesterday, the owner of the Empire Grill, Tom Miller, said Newman fans were braving the rain to visit the restaurant the day after Newman's death.

"Apparently, some of his fans are starting a little shrine outside our building," Miller said. "It's like a miniature Strawberry Fields -- I'm exaggerating."

Jeff McCabe, of Skowhegan, bought a cross and wreath from Skowhegan Fleuriste to place as a memorial outside the grill.

"You could say the grill served as a shrine to the movie so it seemed fitting to do something for Paul Newman," he said.

One woman who stopped by the restaurant for lunch, Gloria Nicholson, of Norridgewock, said she had always been impressed with Newman's willingness to donate to non-profit organizations.

"He was very generous along those lines," she said, adding that Newman seemed to enjoy his time in central Maine, fishing in the Belgrade Lakes and exploring a bit.

Lynn "Kip" Kippax, a former journalist who worked as the location manager and media coordinator for "Empire Falls," said he was saddened by the news.

"Paul Newman was a gift," he said. "He was a talented actor. He was a civic asset."

Kippax said he admired Newman's philanthropic efforts.

"He was a remarkable person, and there are many in this world who didn't get a chance to do what he did," Kippax said.

Morning Sentinel photographer Thomas Michael Corcoran contributed to this article.

Joel Elliott -- 861-9252

jelliott@centralmaine.com

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