Life & Culture - Portland Press Herald

Arts & Entertainment, Life & Culture, Maine, News

Artist’s chisel transforms stump outside Peaks Island cafe into an octopus

by Sydney Richelieu June 9, 2025June 9, 2025

A strong storm that hit the island nearly 3 years ago blew many trees to the ground. Doug Smith saw one stump that was left behind as an opportunity.

Arts & Entertainment, Do This, Life & Culture

Check out 6 of the best events in Maine this week

by Aimsel Ponti June 9, 2025June 6, 2025

There’s 2nd Friday in Brunswick, BonAire! in Ogunquit, roller derby in Westbrook and screenings of ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,’ among other events.

Arts & Entertainment, Do This, Life & Culture, Maine

10 ways to celebrate Juneteenth in Maine

by Aimsel Ponti June 9, 2025June 9, 2025

A federal holiday since 2021, Juneteenth will be celebrated at events across the state, including in Portland, Lewiston, Westbrook, Ellsworth and Nobleboro.

Arts & Entertainment, Do This, Life & Culture

Singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega brings her new album to Maine

by Aimsel Ponti June 9, 2025July 17, 2025

Vega released her tenth studio album, ‘Flying With Angels’ and will make a stop in Arundel for a show on June 18.

Life & Culture, Maine, News

Hallowell Pride celebration keeps spirits high

by Jake Freudberg June 7, 2025June 8, 2025

Hundreds of people braved a soaking rain Saturday afternoon to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.

Health, Maine, Schools and Education

Maine’s K-12 schools report record high immunization levels

by Joe Lawlor June 6, 2025June 6, 2025

Vaccine coverage has reached ‘more than 97%’ in Maine’s K-12 schools, achieving ‘herd immunity.’

Arts & Entertainment, Business, Life & Culture, Maine

Illustration Institute leases space in Portland downtown to launch an archive

by Megan Gray June 6, 2025June 6, 2025

One early project for the nonprofit will be to create an archive of works by Douglas Smith, a Peaks Island artist who illustrated the 1995 novel ‘Wicked.’

Arts & Entertainment, Life & Culture

Stephen King talks ‘The Life of Chuck,’ the end of the world and, yes, joy

by Jake Coyle Associated Press June 5, 2025June 5, 2025

Every now and then, King is such a fan of an adaptation that he’s excited to talk about it. That’s very much the case with ‘The Life of Chuck,’ Mike Flanagan’s new adaptation of King’s novella of the same name.