People sometimes tell me that my Maine stories are amusing and fun to listen to, but they wonder if there’s any truth to them. A lot of Maine stories tell of people being thrown overboard from lobster boats, canoes or kayaks There are other stories about people falling off roofs or being chased by a […]
American Journal Opinion
Posted inAmerican Journal, Current, Lakes Region Weekly
DOWN THE ROAD A PIECE: Lots of life left in this story
People sometimes tell me that my Maine stories are amusing and fun to listen to, but they wonder if there’s any truth to them. A lot of Maine stories tell of people being thrown overboard from lobster boats, canoes or kayaks There are other stories about people falling off roofs or being chased by a […]
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Posted inAmerican Journal, Current, Lakes Region Weekly
ON THE RIGHT LANE: The hidden Ponzi scheme
I wonder why Windham went from a rich town (town manager’s words) to a town hall that can’t afford to stay open five days a week. I remember the promise that as the business district grows, our residential property taxes will decrease. It certainly didn’t happen in Windham, along with many other municipalities as well. […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Current, Lakes Region Weekly
POLITICS & OTHER MISTAKES: Have you heard this song before?
Can you name the Maine politician who said this? “At a time when American workers are facing new challenges, efforts must be made to enhance opportunities for prosperity and economic success.” That’s the kind of bland, near-meaningless soundbite that results in the state being papered with warnings not to drive or operate heavy equipment while […]
Posted inAmerican Journal
LETTERS: Parents’ decision
I agree [with the Gorham parents] against the ban [on sweets for school parties, Feb. 24 American Journal]. Rights are being taken away from the children. They have the right on occasions to enjoy sweets. They have been cheated out of school memories. I’m sure many teachers enjoyed sweets during classroom parties when they were […]
Posted inAmerican Journal
LETTERS: Setting all-day-K record straight
In an article that appeared in the American Journal on Feb. 20, 2014, reporting on the rollout of the superintendant’s school budget, reference was made to a three-page essay written by Superintendant Ted Sharp regarding the growing budget pressures on school districts due to new “societal demands” being placed on the schools. The example that […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Current, Lakes Region Weekly
DOWN THE ROAD A PIECE: Some cold comfort
Around this time each year, when the weather is too much with us, when we think too much about it, talk too much about it and – like it or not – when we have to deal with it, we again wonder: Why do we live here? Around this time of year, we here in […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Current, Lakes Region Weekly, Northern Forecaster, Web
ESPECIALLY FOR SENIORS: From here and there, a mixed bag
News from everywhere made it through the cold, snow, ice and other weather issues to my email box. Thanks to the half-dozen folks who had questions that we’ll try and answer. From the website of Southern Maine Agency on Aging, news about the delay of the popular and useful Maine Senior “Farm Share” program. The […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Current, Lakes Region Weekly
GREETINGS FROM ZIP CODE 0474: Live from courtside
Whew! Busy month with high school basketball tournaments. Nothing like it! Games in Portland at the centuries-old Expo; the brand-spanking-new Civic Center; the cavernous Augusta Civic Center; and the Aw-I-miss-the-old-Bangor-Auditorium Cross Center in Paul Bunyan city. Like a buffet at a wedding reception. Sitting courtside, only inches from all the action, your diligent correspondent sees […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Current, Lakes Region Weekly
ON THE RIGHT LANE: Putting binders on minders
“But it was alright, everything was alright, the struggle was finished. He had won victory over himself. He loved Big Brother.” George Orwell “1984.” Now it’s 30 years since 1984 and the latest term I’ve heard was government minders. The Oxford Pocket Dictionary defines a minder as “an official whose job is to restrain access […]