In my 30s, I recall saying, “Wait. What? I don’t get it. I should get it. When I was 14, one of my brothers died soon after birth. When I was 21, my 41-year-old aunt died. People die. Grandparents die, but not my grandfather.” Pepere Lebel loved me as one of those people the experts […]
Forecaster Opinion
Posted inForecaster Opinion
Over Easy: Heading for the last roundup
The following is fictional but short. Giuliani was the last to arrive, tucking his shirt into his pants, hoping no ants were in his pants. As typical of Rudy, his mouth arrives seconds before the rest of him. Following orders from the president to “dress like cowboys,” the entire cabinet looked like a group audition […]
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Posted inForecaster Opinion
Letter: Small states would win with national popular vote
Most of us would agree that the federal government should treat all citizens fairly, whether we live in small-population states or big ones. Right now, there are 13 small-population states like Maine that have only three or four Electoral College votes; 12 are ignored by presidential candidates. Only New Hampshire ever seems to be a […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion
Superintendent’s Notebook: School nurses are on the front lines
“I am convinced that the greatest heroes are those who do their duty in the daily grind of domestic affairs whilst the world whirls as a maddening dreidel.” – Florence Nightingale As the surge of COVID-19 continues, nurses stand at the front lines. Nurses are playing a critical role in keeping our schools open during […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Guest Column: Restricting legal immigrants from becoming citizens
The U.S. government has a new requirement for immigrants seeking to become citizens. This new addition started Dec. 1 and it may be a way to make is harder for legal immigrants to become naturalized citizens. The applicant must answer 12 out of 20 items, which is a passing score of 60%. The previous policy […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Mainewhile: Bellows more than qualified to be secretary of state
Last week, I spent some time reflecting upon the work and legacy of our outgoing secretary of state, Matt Dunlap. We truly have been extremely fortunate to have him in this role, working for all of us in Maine. Last Tuesday, state legislators met to vote for who would serve in the office next. There […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion
Superintendent’s Notebook: Winter and the pandemic – hit ‘em head on
When I meet someone new to Maine, my advice is always the same: Embrace the winters! This winter, that mantra is all the more important since – thanks to the worldwide pandemic – some of us have already spent the spring and summer more isolated than usual. And as the effects of COVID cabin fever […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion
Over Easy: War and peace
I first laid eyes on Bhikkhu Danassaro, or Bhikkhu Dan as he called himself, when he showed up at one of our fortnightly Buddhist Meditation for Westerners classes. Classes took place on Monday evenings in a small room in Bangkok’s notable temple, Wat Bowonniwet, led by a small American woman dressed only in a white […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Mainewhile: Secretary of State Matt Dunlap leaves big shoes to fill
Maine is about to get a new secretary of state. This is a big deal. Secretaries of state matter. If you’ve been watching the national news, you’ve probably gained a new appreciation for the job. Brad Raffensperger, the Republican Secretary of State in Georgia, has been rather heroically holding the line on truth down there, […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Life Unwound: How we start the day matters
“Once upon a time, when women were birds, there was the simple understanding that to sing at dawn and to sing at dusk was to heal the world through joy. The birds still remember what we have forgotten, that the world is meant to be celebrated.” – Terry Tempest Williams When I read this, I […]