One of the best annual traditions we had at Current Publishing (which was bought by The Forecaster in 2015), was consulting the Magic 8-Ball around Jan. 1 to seek clues as to how current events would trend in the new year. Reporters and editors at Current Publishing’s family of weekly community newspapers would come up […]
Forecaster opinion
Posted inForecaster Opinion
Life Unwound: Telling the whole holiday truth
Years ago, young enough to squat without pinching a knee joint, able enough to push a hand mower to clip grass without a hip complaint, flexible enough to kneel, stand, crouch and repeat without hurting yet another body part, I sat weeding our front sidewalk. A stooped woman I deemed old, whom I now consider […]
advertisement
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Here’s Something: Gorham council wrong to ignore will of voters
Sometimes, you have to fight Town Hall before you can join Town Hall, and that’s just what Gorham’s Janet Kuech is doing. Kuech has worked as an educational technician (teacher’s helper, for those who don’t speak educationese) for 18 years in the Gorham school system. In November, she was elected to the Gorham Town Council. […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
The Universal Notebook: 2020 visions
Though I possess neither crystal ball nor psychic powers, I believe anyone who is paying attention can foresee the immediate future. Gazing across the void of a few days into 2020, here’s what I see: Donald Trump will face impeachment, but he will not be removed from office. There aren’t enough Republican senators with integrity […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion
Mainewhile: Bah humbug to liars and lying
‘Tis the season to be jolly – and yet I am not. I am, in fact, in a bit of a seasonal grouch. The tree is up, the windows are bedecked with wreaths, eggnog has been consumed. The halls are decked, darn it, why I am I still not fa-la-la-la-laing? I wondered at first if […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion
Superintendent’s Notebook: A diverse staff is a boon for all students
When I became superintendent of the Portland Public Schools, Maine’s largest and most diverse school district, one consistent message I heard from students, parents and members of the school board and community was that they wanted our faculty and staff to better reflect the diversity of our students. That’s why we made staff diversity […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
The Universal Notebook: R.I.P. GOP
As I watched the impeachment hearings, I kept thinking that there must be some Republicans left in Congress who understand the threat the Trump administration poses to American democracy, but alas, all those who spoke just repeated lies from the conservative echo chamber, accusing Democrats of everything Trump does daily. Jeb Bush got trashed. John […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Here’s Something: Christmas gives Scrooges a second chance
My goal this Christmas season is to watch as many movie versions of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” as possible. As with most of my aspirations, I’m lagging far behind. So far, I’ve only seen two – the one with Patrick Stewart as Scrooge, as well as the 1984 classic with George C. Scott. It’s […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion
Life Unwound: From ‘them’ to ‘us’
Yesterday I waved to my husband as I left the house, “.. goin’ to the bookstore for holiday cards.” I honestly believed I would buy only, merely, just cards. The shop twinkled with sparkly displays of beckoning books, bright cards, funky socks, and this and thats in lovely aisles inviting me to browse, take my […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion
Over Easy: Flower power in the age of aggression
I think it is a good thing that the general public has been sensitized to look upon the mascots they choose to represent their sports teams. In case you have forgotten, the town of Skowhegan in the last few months was at the center of a controversy when it decided to ban the use of […]