I find myself constantly worn down by the word “deport,” and I believe that everyone should feel the weight of its implications, particularly in a country that prides itself on diversity and inclusion. Each time I believe I’m settling into my life in this adopted land, this word surfaces, casting a shadow over my sense […]
Forecaster opinion
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, Scarborough Leader, South Portland Sentry, The Forecaster
Mainewhile: Cheers for the tax credits for Hadlock Field overhaul
In this life, there are certain sure signs of spring we all look for. The days growing longer, buds on the trees, robins in profusion – and opening day at Hadlock Field. This year, opening day was delayed by that massive April snowstorm we had. So fitting. But the snow was short-lived, spring reasserted itself […]
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Posted inAmerican Journal, Coastal Journal, Lakes Region Weekly, Northern Forecaster, Portland Forecaster, Scarborough Leader, South Portland Sentry, The Forecaster
Letter: Electoral College hasn’t represented will of voters
Michael Buhelt’s letter April 1 (“Founding fathers knew pitfalls of national vote for president”) implies those that favor the national popular vote compact don’t understand it. Not so. The current Electoral College system is imperfect; the national popular vote compact is also imperfect. The perfect system most representative of the will of the American people […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion, The Forecaster
Portland Superintendent’s Notebook: Community engagement enhanced school budget process
Portland Public Schools reached a milestone in our FY 25 budget process when the Board of Public Education on April 9 approved a $161.4 million school budget to recommend to the City Council. One of the things that I’m proudest about in this budget process is the amount of community engagement involved. Since March 5, […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Scarborough Leader, South Portland Sentry
Forum: Smiling Hill Farm roots run deep, don’t pave over them
My grandmother, Frances Knight Marsh, was born at Smiling Hill Farm in 1918 before it was so called – her younger brother Roger would name it for a favorite book. My great-grandmother Blanche photographed life at the farm: her commercial dahlia garden, my grandmother and her sister Bernice with dolls on the porch, my great-grandfather […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, Scarborough Leader, South Portland Sentry, Southern Maine Weeklies, The Forecaster
Mainewhile: We need to honor the real friendships in our lives
Friendship is such a curious thing. When you are little, making friends is so seamless. You meet, you play, and boom. Done. You might fight or move on, and I don’t mean to imply that there isn’t heartbreak and high drama in all of that – of course there is. These early friendships are where […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion, The Forecaster
RSU 5 Superintendent’s Notebook: Proposed 2024-25 budget incorporates four priorities
The RSU 5 Board of Directors and administration has worked diligently to develop a budget that is focused on the goals of the district and the needs of our students while remaining responsive to the needs of our taxpayers. The Board of Directors’ proposed operating budget for FY 25 is $41,612,460, which is an overall […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, Scarborough Leader, South Portland Sentry, Southern Maine Weeklies, The Forecaster
Through My Lens: Bad storms unite us as a community
For two stormy days last week, as the cold and power outage persisted, locals found themselves drawn to Yarmouth Community Hall. Amid laptops and steaming cups of coffee, snacks and fruit, neighbors’ stories flowed freely, ranging from reminiscences of past snowstorms to shared experiences of enduring power outages. It was a true community gathering, a […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, Scarborough Leader, South Portland Sentry, Southern Maine Weeklies, The Forecaster
Mainewhile: Some luxuries are unattainable, and that’s OK
The last time my father-in-law visited, he mentioned that he’d been reading in The Wall Street Journal about a restaurant here in Maine, and he wondered if we could go when he comes out this summer. He’d forgotten the name, but once he described it, I knew exactly which place he meant. “Small, sort of […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion, The Forecaster
Brunswick Superintendent’s Notebook: Students in choir learn more than singing – they find belonging
Last month’s column focused on the benefits of music, particularly playing an instrument. I’d like to stay on that path for this piece and focus on the instrument we all have, the one we were born with, and that is our voice. There’s something magical about music. While I’ll never perform at Carnegie Hall, I […]