Connie Allen, 84, of Buxton talks with a nurse before getting her second COVID-19 vaccine shot Friday at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Lewiston. “I’m going to go into the mall and walk around. I haven’t been there since March. We used to go in every day and sit with our friends. Just get out. I’d love to go out to eat. I’m sick of cooking!” Daryn Slover/Sun Journal Buy this Photo

Kinuyo Hayden of Litchfield talks with Bates College student Marisol Cortez after Hayden received her second COVID-19 vaccine shot. Getting her second shot, she said, “is so wonderful! Relief! I’ve been stuck in the house, putting the mask on and going to the doctors or shopping. Now I want to get out! I want to see my great-grandchildren, I haven’t been able to get close to them. Yesterday my great-granddaughter turned 4 years old but I could not see her. Soon I can hug them.” Daryn Slover/Sun Journal Buy this Photo

Connie Roy, 86, of Lewiston, who has battled cancer, said, “Now that we’ve had our second shot means our son Rene can come into the house. He comes often. I hate this mask.,” she said as she talked. “But Rene doesn’t come into the house. We go on the porch or back yard and he visits for a while. Easter’s coming. We may be able to eat together!” Daryn Slover/Sun Journal Buy this Photo

Ron Roy, 82, Connie’s husband, said: “In two weeks I’ll feel more comfortable going to Walmart and Hannaford’s. I make sure I have my mask. Once we’ve had our second shot, we should still wear our masks. Don’t you think so?” Regarding people who refuse to wear masks in public, he added, “I’d like to tell them off but I don’t. We stay away from them. I go in the next aisle. I’m still going be cautious, wear our masks and keep my distance.” Daryn Slover/Sun Journal Buy this Photo

Lena Kanda, 80, of Auburn, said: “Getting my second shot will mean I’ll be free now. I can talk to my friends without a mask. I’m going to sign on to be a volunteer here (St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center). My husband died in 2019, he was a doctor here, Dr. Yas Kanda. I haven’t volunteered before. It will be a good outlet. My son lives in upstate New York. I haven’t seen them for a year. I will be seeing them as soon as they get the shot.” Daryn Slover/Sun Journal Buy this Photo

Anne Madore, 74, Topsham said: “I’m going to get together with my children. That will be so nice. They can’t wait to come over unmasked. Just to have fun together in the house. We’re going to cook. Go grocery shopping. My daughters have been doing my grocery shopping for a whole year.” Daryn Slover/Sun Journal Buy this Photo

Normand Madore, 77, Anne’s husband, said: “I can get out more. I can go to Home Depot, run errands and be out in the public more. It’s going to be welcome to visit with other people.” Daryn Slover/Sun Journal Buy this Photo

Marion Caron, 84, of Lewiston talks with her daughter-in-law Tina Caron after Marion received her second shot. “Shopping,” she said about her plans. “I love to shop.” She said she also looks forward to getting close to those she loves. “I’ve missed hugs from family.” Daryn Slover/Sun Journal Buy this Photo

Gary Tiner of Greene said: “Seeing our family is something we have on our to-do list. …  We miss seeing our family, our grandchildren. We’ve had to postpone Mother’s Day, Father’s Day.” Daryn Slover/Sun Journal Buy this Photo

Doris Tiner, right, 82, and Connie Earle, center, of Lisbon Falls, have seen each other twice since March of 2020. The first time was when they received their first COVID-19 vaccine shots at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Lewiston. The second time was Friday, when they received their second vaccine shots. The two went to nursing school together. “Getting the second shot means at our ages not having to get the virus. I’ll go shopping more often,” she said. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal Buy this Photo

Avis Robinson, 82, of Gray, said getting her second shot was “a big deal. I don’t want to get sick. I’ve been having a hard time about going places. My husband and I used to travel, go out to eat.” She looks forward “to going out to eat, go to the movies, visit my friends.” Just the same, she’s cautious and plans to continue being careful, masking up in public. “I don’t think this thing is ever going to go away.” Daryn Slover/Sun Journal Buy this Photo