While all attention was on maple syrup last week, a little publicized news item caught our eye that was surprising: Honey production is up in Maine, significantly. For many years now, the honeybee population has been struggling. Colony collapse disorder is something most Americans by now have heard about. It’s especially worrying since farmers around […]
American Journal
News and information from and about the Maine towns of Westbrook, Gorham and Buxton.
Posted inAmerican Journal, Current, Lakes Region Weekly
No cover, no minimum
Some people, mainly old coots, think there’s nothing more entertaining than listening to other old coots complaining about how tough things were in their younger days, and how easy today’s spoiled brats have it. Whatever “it” is. If you think about it (not that “it,” another “it”), there are actually many more pleasant ways to […]
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Posted inAmerican Journal, Current, Lakes Region Weekly
No cover, no minimum
Some people, mainly old coots, think there’s nothing more entertaining than listening to other old coots complaining about how tough things were in their younger days, and how easy today’s spoiled brats have it. Whatever “it” is. If you think about it (not that “it,” another “it”), there are actually many more pleasant ways to […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Lakes Region Weekly, Southern Forecaster
Chamber Singers set for Big Apple
Windham High School’s well-known student choir is prepping for a big-time performance at a big-time venue in a big-time city. “It’s just so cool to sing at Carnegie Hall,” said Greg Meader, stage manager and a tenor for the Windham Chamber Singers. “To sing there is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that performers all over the world […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Lakes Region Weekly, Southern Forecaster
Bill calls for more training spotting abuse
After a year of review and discussion, the Maine Legislature has passed a Windham senator’s bill to require training for mandated reporters – people who, by law, are required to report abuse or suspected abuse of a child. The bill now awaits Gov. Paul LePage’s signature. While previous child abuse laws required anyone who comes […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Lakes Region Weekly
Maple Sunday: Even with challenges, a sweet day
A cloud of vapor rose over a stainless steel vat of bubbling maple sap last week as Robert Parsons of Gorham fed wood into the flames to generate heat necessary to boil down sap into syrup. Parsons and other producers across the state will host thousands of people flocking to sugar houses in a ritual […]
Posted inAmerican Journal
Door closing on iconic home
When The Villa shuts down April 5, it will mark the end of an era for Westbrook rooming houses. The closure of The Villa, a Westbrook rooming house, is sending all 16 residents elsewhere in a tight housing market, but it is also raising questions about the future of the sprawling former single-family home. Residents […]
Posted inAmerican Journal
Land deal looks good in Gorham
A significant land acquisition in Gorham sought by the Shaw Brothers Family Foundation appears to be moving closer toward becoming reality. The nonprofit foundation hopes to buy 258 acres on lower Main Street (Route 25) from ecomaine, a regional waste and recycling company owned by 20 municipalities. Jon and Danny Shaw, co-owners of Shaw Brothers Construction […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Current, Lakes Region Weekly
The more things change …
My first column ran the first week of June in 1995 in the Lewiston Sun, and nine months later I wrote my first column about this month called March –the month known here in Maine as the most useless month that ever the mind of man or woman devised. A more insignificant stretch of days […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Current, Lakes Region Weekly
Greetings from the welfare state
When it comes to welfare, Mainers have three different philosophies. Republicans believe giving taxpayer money to those in need to cover the costs of life’s necessities encourages dependency, engenders fraud and creates Democrats. To the extent such programs must exist, they should be oppressively monitored, severely limited in their coverage and expire faster than Carly […]