Thanks to our elected policymakers’ leadership, Mainers have made a bold statement that the state’s special places deserve to be preserved and managed for the future.
2021
Posted inMeetinghouse, Opinion
Lee Van Dyke, Portland: A gnarled token of a genial Dutch grandfather
I’d ask acting students to bring an object to class that’s “important to them,” with no other instructions. This exercise produced: Bibles, guitars, knitted sweaters, photographs of sisters and plastic swizzle sticks. Some were beautiful keepsakes, almost holy ones. Once a student brought a graceful vase of cremated ashes. What turns mere things into keepsakes? Once […]
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Posted inAmerican Journal
Gorham Notes: July 29
Perry awarded trophy at rainy car show Kenney Aldrich, president of Gorham Lions, said the club’s car show on July 25 at Gorham High School was a “washout.” Aldrich expected 150 cars but only 30 showed up because of the morning rain showers, bouncing droplets off mirror finishes of classics. Ralph Perry, a Gorham contractor, […]
Posted inTimes Record Opinion
The Maine Idea: Tradition can make up for inexperience
Despite Democratic control of the Legislature and the Governorship, divisions on display ever since Paul LePage steered the Maine Republican Party hard-right in 2010 erupted often during the legislative session finally concluded on July 19. LePage’s prospective return to run once more for governor, after 18 months as a Florida resident, can’t have promoted compromise. […]
Posted inBiddeford-Saco-OOB Courier, Southern Maine Weeklies
Biddeford and Saco each host National Night Out events
Biddeford celebrates Aug. 1 and Saco on Aug. 3.
Posted inAmerican Journal
Buxton Notes: July 29
Call for classic cars The historic Royal Brewster Mansion at Tory Hill is hosting the annual Cars & Coffee show from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 7, on mansion grounds at the intersection of Routes 202 and 112. The show highlights classic vehicles during the combined town of Buxton Community Day and Dorcas Fest, […]
Posted inBiddeford-Saco-OOB Courier, Southern Maine Weeklies
Beyond the Headlines: Tackling college affordability, one scholarship at a time
Maine has the sixth-highest average student debt in the entire country, with the average student incurring over $33,000 for their college experience. When I was in the Legislature, this was a constant topic amongst younger members on both sides of the aisle. It was a topic that united us, and we were able to work […]
Posted inBiddeford-Saco-OOB Courier, Southern Maine Weeklies
Wanted or not, all flowers are exercises in complexity
No, it isn’t anything I grew in my garden. In reality, it grows everywhere, unannounced and uninvited. We stroll by it, without so much as a glance, drive by fields of it, and yank it up from our otherwise pristine lawns. It’s a White Clover (trifolium repens) blossom, and the words “beautiful, lovely, or pretty” […]
Posted inMeetinghouse, Opinion
Sally Mackenzie, Brunswick: These are (just a) few of my favorite things
I tried the Mari Kondo method. I managed to purge some clothing. Material objects, on the other hand, were not easy to shed. The idea of taking a picture of the item and having that be the keepsake didn’t work for me. Every piece of jewelry, tchotchke, basket, picture, dish … even a Beanie Boo […]
Posted inTimes Record Opinion
Tom Purcell: Striking up some ratings for the Olympics
Maybe croquet could improve the ratings for the 2021 Summer Olympics? Please allow me to explain. The COVID-delayed 2020 Olympics are on track to be the lowest watched games of the 21st century, according to marketing research firm Zeta Global. The company has found that “More than 60 percent of Americans were unable to express […]