This has been a sad week for Maine. Last Thursday, Hancock County Deputy Luke Gross died in the line of duty when he was struck by a vehicle at the scene of an accident. While finishing high school, my eldest, Eilon, was simultaneously enrolled in the law enforcement program run through the Hancock County Technical […]
Forecaster opinion
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Forum: ‘Tax gap’ proposal could adversely affect Maine residents
While we firmly believe Americans should honor their tax obligations, Congress’ efforts to raise more federal revenue from those who cheat our federal tax system risks ushering in unwelcome and unintended consequences for working men and woman across Maine. The “tax gap” proposal put forward by the Biden administration would require banks and other financial […]
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Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Mainewhile: Food for thought
Farming and food have been much on my mind of late. I suppose it is just that time of year. Once the mornings get crisp, I am all about apple picking, pumpkin pie, hot cider and making soup. This is the time of harvest fairs and stocking up. Coincidentally, some really cool stories about emerging […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Here’s Something: Amazing Aroostook County
My knowledge, respect and admiration for the state of Maine grew 1,320-fold last week after spending six days driving – you guessed it – 1,320 miles around Vacationland in a counterclockwise circumnavigation, mainly along Route 1. Aroostook County – simply and reverently referred to as “The County” and especially the far northern reaches of it, […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Life Unwound: An appetite for life
Is your life stale? Visiting us, our son, a chef, searched our fridge for “a little something.” He flashed me a horrified look and insisted, “Come ’ere. Look at this.” “What?” I asked. “Mom, how old is this tomato-bean casserole-y thing?” “We had that chili two days ago.” He spooned out a mouthful. “Not very […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion
Forum: Preparing for local fallback from climate change
Given the wide range of weather/climate disruptions witnessed during past decades – e.g., severe droughts on the West Coast/middle America, some concomitant with raging wild fires, torrential rains and 100- and 500-year flood events, record-setting heat waves, more numerous/ stronger hurricanes and tornadoes, enhanced melting of polar ice caps – it is now evident that […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Through My Lens: 9/11 anniversary brings chance for change
Twenty years after 9/11, the United States still has a chance to correct what went wrong. If social media existed at the time, the hashtag #IstandwiththeUnitedStates would have taken over the world and people would have written from every corner of the globe. If 9/11 happened today, it may not have been a trending hashtag. […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Mainewhile: You can recover from a stroke, but work to prevent one
Last year at this time, my parents spent their 66th anniversary together in the hospital. My father died the next day. In a lot of ways, we were extraordinarily lucky. My father was 89. He lived a full and extraordinary life, was beloved by all of us and, what’s more, he was aware of being […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion
Superintendent’s Notebook: Strengthening core instruction in Portland schools
School this fall has not been the “return to normal” we all envisioned last June. We continue to battle this pandemic and are currently focused on fine-tuning our health and safety protocols to protect our students and staff. At the same time, we are committed to realizing our goal of continuously working to improve the […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion
Superintendent’s Notebook: Making life easier in RSU 5
“With a Little Help From My Friends,” a song by John Lennon, emphasizes that life is made easier when we lean on one another. Never has this been more true than in the past year and a half, when many children and adults have felt the impact of the isolation created by COVID. Many of […]