Mainers have a tough choice Tuesday, Nov. 2, in the form of Question 1. Do voters allow Central Maine Power to erect a high-wattage electrical transmission line through 53 miles of Maine forest from The Forks to the Canadian border to tap into Hydro-Quebec’s network of hydropower electric dams? This referendum, more than any in […]
American Journal Opinion
Mainewhile: Autumn beauty is in the eye of the beholder
Gracious, it is pretty out there! These past few days have been absolute perfection. The sort of weather that makes you grateful to be alive and live in a place such as this. Having a soft spot for gray and rainy days as well, I’ve been enjoying the slow starts and drizzly mornings, but the […]
Life Unwound: The longing for belonging is universal
It was that season. The crisp Maine air chilled faces when I traveled to Puerto Morelos that fall; leaves crunched underfoot at home. In October, I flew to the Yucatan Peninsula for a writing retreat with women I called my writing tribe. We stretched while practicing yoga at dawn with other sunrise-watchers. Then Maria, a […]
Through My Lens: New Mainers should embrace American sports
Local and national politics have put most recent immigrants on a trajectory of fear, withdrawal and, at times, uncertainty of the future of this country. We should not let these fears take away the moments of joy. We are in NFL season and most people can’t help but notice all the sports tweets and photos […]
Forum: Salem witch trials hold a powerful message for our time
Before sending your daughter or granddaughter out trick-or-treating in a pointy black hat, please pause to reconsider history, because to become a witch for Halloween is to make light of centuries of human tragedy. “Be a wily wee witch,” urges one holiday costume website. “Your little girl will look adorable decked out in this witch’s […]
Mainewhile: We need the right to be forgotten
Digital Citizenship Week is just around the corner, and I’ve been thinking a lot about it. Already connected to homes and back pockets around the globe, with the onslaught of the pandemic, the internet became an ever-more necessary presence in all our lives. Pretty much overnight, video chat rooms became how we went to work, […]
Mainewhile: Both progress, pain part of Indigenous Peoples Day
This coming Monday, Oct. 11, Maine will once again be celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day, and there is a lot to celebrate. “Reservation Dogs,” a comedy series streaming on Hulu, boasts a huge fan base and a 98% “fresh” rating by Rotten Tomatoes. With an entirely Indigenous writer’s room and a nearly all Indigenous cast, they […]
Life Unwound: There’s just something about that human touch
Some of us have started to hug again, some of the time, sometimes sporting masks revealing only eyes, sometimes (if fully vaccinated) unmasked, so we see the charm of smiles. I love the reverence, the honor we extend each other in a hug. And I love how we ask, “Is it OK if I hug […]
Here’s Something: This country needs a miracle
The roadside sign in front of a Raymond church last week, replete with poetic double meaning, aptly described not only the spiritual condition of the nation right now but also the dire employment situation. Quoting Luke, the Lake Region Baptist Church on Route 302 sign read: “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” […]
Through My Lens: LePage and his racist rhetoric don’t belong in Maine
Our state should not elect a governor who thinks Black and brown people are nothing but drug dealers who impregnate white women. Former Gov. Paul LePage is in the gubernatorial race next year, but his previous racist remarks while he was still a governor rings in our heads. Those of us hurt by his remarks […]