Here we are, a little more than two weeks past the Thanksgiving holiday and, not coincidentally, COVID-19 infections are spiking. New grim records are being set every day. Even the perpetually positive and upbeat Dr. Shah looks wiped. According to the Maine CDC, over 73% of the state’s population has received their second dose of […]
Forecaster opinion
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Life Unwound: Take it from an extrovert, silence can indeed be golden
I trained to talk. The oldest of seven children, I bantered as a toddler, hobnobbing with grown-ups. I helped the younger ones form vocabulary, first words like Momma, Dadda, look, no, up. In school we learned, “You’ll be graded on class participation.” No problem for me, an extrovert. I knew how to speak up, how […]
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Posted inForecaster Opinion
RSU 5 Superintendent’s Notebook: Our bus drivers are valued links for schoolchildren
This past fall, a recent survey conducted by EdWeek Research Center indicated that 40% of district leaders reported they were experiencing “severe” or “very severe” staffing shortages. The most problematic shortage is the ever-needed role of bus drivers. Driver shortages are a nationwide problem. Bus routes in the state have been extended, drivers are working […]
Posted inCoastal Journal, The Forecaster
Brunswick Superintendent’s Notebook: Students can succeed through many career paths
In business, when the boss “manages by objective,” it means there can be many roads to accomplishing the goal. Employees are deemed “successful” whatever path they choose, as long as the goal is achieved. Fortunately, education is taking a page from the business playbook. As this year’s class of high school seniors considers the options […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Through My Lens: There will be no gifts this Christmas for those affected by climate crisis
The past few weeks had been challenging, as I had to decide between buying gifts for family and friends in Maine or sending donations to support my family and friends who are ravaged by serious water and food shortages. The recent droughts that hit parts of Somalia and Kenya are affecting 2.3 million people and […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Mainewhile: Think outside the box to foster holiday togetherness
Does anyone really need to know the full and detailed genetic makeup of their dog? I mean, average family pet owners have a dog of mixed parentage. Do any of us really need to swab their saliva and send it off for a full workup? I would argue not. In fact, it might be that […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Forum: Federal law to protect LBGTQ+ Americans matters to people of faith
As a pastor with the United Church of Christ, it is my life’s work to make the transformative teachings of Christianity real and accessible to all people. Jesus told us that the greatest commandment is love. Christians are tasked with loving our neighbors as ourselves – it is our highest duty. At my church we […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Here’s Something: Yankee thrift is the answer to electric bill hike
Those Mainers not living under a rock for the last month have heard the terrible news that electric bills will skyrocket next year. This is on top of price increases for food, gasoline, vehicles, cable, internet and just about every other good or service. Rampant government spending during the pandemic has caused inflation to rear […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Life Unwound: Poetry helps balance the meter of life
The first time I heard the word plethora, I sat in a teacher-development intensive course to practice stress reduction for my life passages, body aches and pains, aging, the slings and arrows the universe sends us all. I had completed years of study to learn to help others do the same. Our teachers talked about […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Mainewhile: Maine seeing powerful new ways to harness energy
I recently wrote about climate change and my sincere desire for a wealthy, influential, highly connected person, such as Elon Musk, to adopt a nation, state – or at least a community – to test their technology while making meaningful progress. In response, many wrote to tell me about the most marvelous advances in green […]