In recent years, the words “patriotism” and “patriot” have taken on new meanings, particularly in the United States. Here in New England is where “patriotism” in the traditional American sense originated. You know, the Boston Tea Party, Paul Revere’s ride, the Minutemen at Lexington. And we have that professional football team that has won a […]
Forecaster Opinion
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, The Forecaster
Mainewhile: ‘Vacationland’ no longer reflects Maine’s true identity
Apparently there is a new “standard issue” license plate under consideration, and people have feelings on this. This plate, an adaptation of the 1901 flag design, is intended to replace the chickadee and pine tassel design. We adopted the chickadee plate 24 years ago to replace the lobster plate which, I’m going to be honest […]
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Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, The Forecaster
Mainewhile: Honey is an ancient superfood and Maine has plenty
Well, it finally happened. After several winters of anxious but virus-free living, I caught a cold. It’s my own fault. I got busy, and careless, and neglected to follow all the things I’ve had in place since we all started to really think about having such things to follow. And I got sick. It’s not […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, The Forecaster
Life Unwound: Everyone is a teacher – thank you
There is a quote which I cannot recall exactly nor find the source. It goes something like this: “The people who show up are the right people. What happens is what is supposed to happen. And when it’s over, it’s over.” I have been submitting columns to the Portland Press Herald and The Forecaster since […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Mainewhile: Absurd concentration of pot shops a reason to worry?
Maine is a strange and quirky place. It’s why I love it, why I call it home. One of the things that makes me smile inside is that we manage to have such an “eclectic” mix of buildings. I don’t trust places that are too perfected, too uniform, too manicured. So I was a little […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, The Forecaster
Through My Lens: Welcome Corps welcome news for refugee resettlement
I wrote recently about the declining population and labor shortage in Maine’s towns. In recent years, Maine has not seen a significant influx of refugees through traditional resettlement methods due to the Muslim ban and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite President Biden’s promise to resettle 125,000 refugees in the United States in fiscal […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion, The Forecaster
Portland Superintendents’ Notebook: STEM learning rigorous and engaging at all levels
Our achievement goal in the Portland Promise, the Portland Public Schools’ strategic plan, commits us to preparing and empowering our students for a productive postsecondary path to college and career. The compelling STEM curriculum in our schools serves as a great example of how our achievement goal is realized in the classroom. Over the past […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Life Unwound: Are you breathing deeply or just enough?
Do you wonder if what keeps you busy distracts you from what really matters? As in, “what I want is this, so I’ll do that to see if it helps.” Sometimes I think rearranging things I can control on the outside will shift my inside world. Let’s say I want to be a better writer […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion, Northern Forecaster
RSU 5 Superintendent’s Notebook: The struggle is real for student mental health
In October of 2021, the American Academy of Pediatrics collaborated with the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the Children’s Hospital Association and declared “a national emergency in children’s mental health,” and urged policymakers to take action. AAP President Lee Savio Beers stated, “Young people have endured so much throughout this pandemic and […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Mainewhile: Dr. Shah delivered good science with great humor
I admit it. I have been living in denial. But as we all know, avoiding a thing doesn’t actually make it go away. Whether I choose to accept it or not, Dr. Nirav Shah is leaving us for the Emerald City – Washington, D.C. When Shah joined the Maine Center for Disease Control as director […]