The selection of Tim Walz as Kamala Harris’s running mate has injected new energy into immigrant communities, particularly in states like Maine, where immigrants have often felt overlooked by national politics, threatened continuously by Trump with mass deportation and defunding programs that support them. Before Walz’s selection, the immigrant community in Maine, including many asylum […]
Forecaster opinion
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, Scarborough Leader, South Portland Sentry, The Forecaster
Mainewhile: Letting the horses decide and reflections on connection
The Olympics are on – but it’s taken me a while to warm up to it. My own favorite event, the equestrians, has come in under a dark cloud. Did you hear about this? A British equestrian was eliminated for cruelty to a horse. This made me angry, and sad, but not surprised. In fact, […]
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Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, Scarborough Leader, South Portland Sentry, The Forecaster
Through My Lens: Burning U.S. flag doesn’t help, it hurts
Burning the U.S. flag, attacking the police and writing “Hamas is coming” on walls do not help the Palestinian cause. These actions can actually harm the very cause they aim to support, creating a backlash and further division. Our country has experienced significant turmoil recently. We witnessed an assassination attempt on a former president and […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, Scarborough Leader, South Portland Sentry, The Forecaster
Mainewhile: Campaign season a good time to remember shared humanity
What a crazy couple of days it has been in the news cycle, eh? I was sitting with my thoughts, sifting through how things “felt” and – stick with me here – I kept thinking about choosing a lunch spot with co-workers. OK, I am betting that might make literally no sense to some of […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, Scarborough Leader, South Portland Sentry, The Forecaster
Mainewhile: What we choose to emphasize determines our lives
Upon occasion, I have been accused of being “a Pollyanna.” Which, by the way, is an insult. I could get into the oddness of how being compared to a character who tries to spread joy is an insult, but meh, I get it. Relentless cheerfulness in the face of real stressors is annoying. It would […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion, The Forecaster
Portland Superintendent’s Notebook: New strategic plan provides clear roadmap for student, staff and district success
The Portland Public Schools reached a milestone in June when the Board of Public Education unanimously approved our new strategic plan. The plan is the result of a tremendous effort over the past year by the whole Portland Public Schools community, working and talking together about how best to fulfill our district’s unique potential. Now […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, Scarborough Leader, South Portland Sentry, The Forecaster
Through My Lens: How do you want your steak cooked? Dining out can be challenging for immigrants
Summer in Maine is a delightful season, perfect for beach outings, scenic drives along the coast, and savoring the local culinary delights. Whether you’re indulging in pancakes or waffles with Maine maple syrup at a cozy diner, enjoying eggs Benedict and fries, or experiencing the quintessential whole lobster at a seaside restaurant, Maine’s food scene is […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, Scarborough Leader, South Portland Sentry, The Forecaster
Mainewhile: When it comes to spam calls and scammers, just hang up
Where I live, there is zero cell service. I mean, I can text people because we have the internet, but if I want to take or make a call? Then I have to wander outside and walk around with my phone held in the air until I find the one spot, approximately four inches square, […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, Scarborough Leader, South Portland Sentry, The Forecaster
Mainewhile: Take your own good advice and go easy on yourself
If you are a regular reader of my musings, then you know that I have spent the last few weeks sitting with my mom as she died. If you are new to my writings … well, hello. That’s a big introduction. Welcome to the conversation. I am working my way through my grief, and I […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, Scarborough Leader, South Portland Sentry, The Forecaster
Through My Lens: Independence Day stories connect all of us
Maine’s newest communities bring with them a rich tradition of celebrating independence, rooted in emotional stories of local resistance against English, French and Italian colonizers back home. In Somalia, where independence was also commemorated this week, on July 1, survivors of the conflicts that drove out European colonizers share their experiences on radio broadcasts. While […]