This week, the U.S. government resumes its program of providing free COVID tests through the mail and I have the website, covid.gov/tests, bookmarked. I am ready. Man, pandemics are tricky things. The Black Death, as remembered from my grade school studies, is haunting. We humans are always drawn to the morbid, trying to understand things […]
Forecaster Opinion
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, The Forecaster
Through My Lens: Let’s make wonders of fall accessible to all
A day before the start of autumn, I pulled into the parking lot of Udder Heaven near Bar Harbor to get my favorite ice cream – a scoop of Moose Tracks and a scoop of coffee together in a cone. I was sad to discover, however, that the shop had closed for the season. Disappointed […]
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Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, The Forecaster
Mainewhile: Right to repair law would put power back in consumers’ hands
Before my mother was allowed to drive, she had to prove to her father that she could change the oil, fiddle with the spark plugs and fix a flat tire, all on her own and without help. He didn’t want his daughter stranded or dependent on strangers if the car broke down. Pretty progressive for […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion, The Forecaster
Portland Superintendent’s Notebook: Strategic planning underway at Portland Public Schools
Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve had the pleasure of seeing our schools go from summer quiet to the sounds of classroom setup and now the buzz of students and teachers involved in engaging, joyful and rigorous learning. Thank you to everyone at Portland Public Schools – our food service, IT, transportation, facilities, school […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, The Forecaster
Mainewhile: Teach kids about governance, invest in civic pride
I try, as a general rule, not to indulge in nostalgia because the past is a slippery animal. It shapeshifts through memories. Take, for example, the time I am currently obsessing over: that oddly golden era for our country that was post-World War II until, oh, say the early 1960s. We often think of that […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, The Forecaster
Through My Lens: Farming is a path to inclusion for immigrants
Encouraging the active participation of Maine’s minority communities in both urban and rural farming and gardening endeavors can serve as a powerful tool to help them overcome cultural and economic barriers. A significant portion of Maine’s immigrant population arrived with deep-rooted agricultural expertise, shaped by generations of traditional farming practices. However, their migration to Maine […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion, The Forecaster
RSU 5 Superintendent’s Notebook: Dedicated ‘village’ ensures great start of new school year
It has often been said, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Although it is not entirely certain where the proverb originated, it speaks to the power of community collaboration. It was this shared effort by members of the RSU 5 staff, “the village,” that prepared our six schools to welcome over 2,100 students […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, The Forecaster
Mainewhile: Did you remember to honor the rights of American laborers?
Labor Day. The end of high season, the start of the harvest, the lessening of traffic, the time to remember where we put the sweaters. These are all things that we in Maine associate with the holiday we just celebrated. But none of them are really what the holiday is about. Labor Day was founded […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Coastal Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, Northern Forecaster, Portland Forecaster, Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Mainewhile: Parents and teachers are on the same side – or should be
It’s back to school time. No matter how you slice it, there is just something extra special about going back to school. Granted, I am giving a little bit of side-eye at this “still in August” start date (what ever happened to after Labor Day?), but it is still exciting. Of course, part of what […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, The Forecaster
Through My Lens: Don’t feel so bad about mispronouncing my name
When Mainers struggle to pronounce my name correctly, some might assume I’m annoyed by it. The truth is, I’m not annoyed at all. If anything, I occasionally find amusement in how people react when they accidentally mispronounce my name. In those moments, I try to put on a smile to reassure them that it’s perfectly […]