I think we can all agree that 2021 was a challenging year. Unlike the jubilant parties of New Year’s past, this year seemed to be less of a celebration and more of a collective sigh of relief that it is over. I know at our house, we kept it low-key, opting for board games, creating […]
Forecaster opinion
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Through My Lens: Here’s hoping that as Maine goes, so goes the nation
Thanks to Maine’s immigrants, our state made headlines in many languages in 2021. Every Mainer should be proud of the history Maine and the United States made in the last few weeks of 2021. This was the best holiday season for every single Maine immigrant. Imagine a Maine mayor whose story is published in languages […]
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Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Here’s Something: Magic 8-Ball illuminates clues to 2022
When I worked at Current Publishing, a family of weekly community newspapers that merged with The Forecaster in 2015, one of our best annual newsroom traditions around Jan. 1 was seeking clarity and wisdom from a Magic 8-Ball for the new year. Staffers would come up with questions about news-related topics, and we’d run the […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Mainewhile: A guide to end-of-year charitable giving
Maybe it’s the cold, introspective weather, maybe it’s the holiday spirit, maybe it’s the year-end tax implications. Whatever the motivation, this is the time of year when many of us make or augment our charitable giving. You probably have some well-known favorites you like to support each year, but for those new to the giving […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Life Unwound: It’s the most ‘brutiful’ time of the year
Flakes falling. Fires aglow. Baking. “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” Not for all of us. Or, “Tis the season to be jolly.” Not always. At dawn recently, skies had already spit rain, sleet, then snow. I, not with my usual jump-out-of-bed smile, drove to a coffee shop “to get out of the […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Mainewhile: Winter solstice lights up our world in more ways than one
Solstice, the moment when we begin our path back to longer days, thanks to the orbit of our earth, is a time humans have celebrated since the dawn of time. This year’s solstice was Dec. 21. While the most famous festivals belong to the ancient Romans, Persians, Scandinavians and Celts, there is evidence of solstice […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Through My Lens: New Mainers face a dismal dating scene
Dating in Maine seems to be only for those who share a common culture and goals. Most Mainers have only been exposed to people from Black and brown communities through news stories, and that seems to be one of the challenges of interracial and intercultural dating in the state. While this challenge is also true […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion, The Forecaster
Portland Superintendent’s Notebook: A strong foundation supports student success
In my past three columns, I’ve written about the Portland Public Schools’ four teaching and learning priorities for this school year. All the priorities are aligned to our work of realizing our Portland Promise goals of achievement, whole student, people and equity. I’ve already detailed three of these priorities: strengthening core instruction to ensure students […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion
Forum: It’s not easy being green, but it’s getting better
The trustworthiness of companies that claim to follow environmental, social and governance practices was questioned at the lecture “Sustainable and Social Responsibility in our Purchases and Investments” sponsored by the Freeport Sustainability Advisory Board Dec. 6. Residents questioned the legitimacy of “green” claims made by oil companies and others. “They spend billions on oil extraction […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Here’s Something: Have yourself a joyful little Christmas
A few years ago, I realized wintertime holidays come just when we need them. They distract us from what’s really going on. Summer is gone and the ever-present uncomfortableness that is a Maine winter is back in all its harsh reality. Darkness surrounds us for 15-plus hours a day, and those days are ruled by […]