Getting to school by boat is usually reserved for those who live on islands, but it’s a novelty that was recently given a try by University of New England students and staff, during the month of April. A three-week pilot program ran from April 9-28, using a ferry to transport students, faculty and staff from […]

Junior Seau’s suicide last week sent shock waves through the National Football League, and shook its current and former players to their cores. Seau, 43, was apparently a happy, fun-loving former NFL star who enjoyed life. He was enthusiastic. He always smiled. He seemed to be a man on top of the world. At least, […]

Maine is the only one of the 50 states that borders on one (and only one) other state, and the only one with a single-syllable name. It produces 99 percent of America’s blueberries and 90 percent of its toothpicks. Maine is unique. Many Americans assume the Pine Tree State’s southern border lies approximately eight hours […]

From what little of it I am able to see from my front windows, the Mousam River’s surface is forever changing. Some mornings, it’s rough and choppy, and depending on which way the wind is blowing, it erupts into ripples that move every which way or sometimes not at all. And then on others, it’s […]

Thumbs up to the employees of Pratt & Whitney, a major manufacturer of aircraft engines and parts, who are building F135 engines for the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet. Thanks to support from members of Congress and work by the company’s management, employees in North Berwick will be building these engines for years to come. […]

I met Eric for the first time when he was a teenager, though his reputation preceded him by many years. I knew he was moody, artistic and smart, and that he had “food issues.” This, according to his mother, Emily, my old college friend, who routinely filled me in on his progress. Occasionally, Emily would […]

It’s funny how sometimes big things happen in small places, where you’d least expect it. Maine isn’t typically thought of as anything more than a vacation destination for those outside the state, and many of us have even had encounters with the geographically challenged who persist in asking, “Isn’t that in Canada?” But for those […]

When the U.S. Senate considers the updated farm bill later this spring, we hope the provisions championed by U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, remain. The Senate Agriculture Committee passed the farm bill recently, which contains support for local and organic farms as well as better access for those using food stamps to purchase fresh produce. […]

Our country has no budget. It has been almost 1,100 days since the last federal government annual budget was approved and adopted. So how does the administration in Washington know how much to spend this year? Well, President Barack Obama proposed one budget, which most Democrats supported. Congressman Paul Ryan proposed a very different budget, […]

While a rural walking trail can seem inviting on a beautiful day, there’s no denying that there is some risk involved in taking the “road less traveled.” Part of what gives trails their charm is the fact that they are removed from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and from the view of the […]