June 20th marks both my birthday and World Refugee Day. I intentionally chose the date of my birthday to avoid being swept into the United Nations’ automatic birthday assignment of Jan. 1 for all refugees. Even after an extensive asylum interview and my specific birthdate request in 2011, however, my refugee papers and the so-called […]
Lakes Region Weekly opinion
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, The Forecaster
Mainewhile: Old Maine charm still here if we pay attention
The other day, while out doing barn chores, I lucked into hearing the evening replay of Maine Public’s “Maine Calling.” It was an interview with Ron Joseph about his new book, “Bald Eagles, Bear Cubs and Hermit Bill: Memories of a Wildlife Biologist in Maine.” He was hysterical, in a really great way. Ron told […]
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Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, The Forecaster
Forum: Additional Presumpscot River fish ladders vital for younger generation
As a sixth grader, it is important to me to have a voice in the decisions of my community. When all of the dams were built on the Presumpscot River, I wasn’t alive, yet the choices made then are affecting my future. The Presumpscot River has seven dams along its 26-mile path, which stretches from […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, The Forecaster
Through My Lens: Learning about wonders of Maine from Mainers
Maine, our beautiful state, has so much to offer, especially when you learn about it from those who have been here for a long time. The end of May brought forth sunny days and warmth, and I decided to visit with some lifelong Mainer friends. In addition to lobster dinners, we had pancake breakfasts drenched […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, The Forecaster
Mainewhile: Route 1 exits were renamed for a reason, right?
I am absolutely certain that before any major public works project is set into motion, the idea is mapped out, thought over and discussed in meeting after meeting after meeting. I am certain that the good folks at the Maine Department of Transportation have their reasons for renaming and relabeling all of the exits and […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, The Forecaster
Mainewhile: Going gray (somewhat) gracefully may be thing of the past
Holy smokes! A new study from New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine has unraveled the mystery of why hair goes gray. And found – wait for it – the graying process may be reversible. I was born with dark brown hair. I got my hair color from my mom, and my sisters did, too. […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, The Forecaster
Through My Lens: Putting down roots, sharing history
Looking back on my nearly nine years of living here, I find myself reflecting on the profound experiences that continue to shape my journey. Settling in Yarmouth, Maine, after fleeing the civil war in Somalia marked a hopeful beginning. On one of those early days, I wandered through the streets of my new town, my […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, The Forecaster
Mainewhile: Human migration always part of natural order
You know how sometimes, if you say a word too much, it suddenly loses all meaning? I had that experience lately with the entire concept of immigration. It is a global crisis. Around the world, countries are grappling with massive surges of humans who have nowhere to go. Here in the U.S., border communities are […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, The Forecaster
Mainewhile: Minor Leagues conjure the most magic, no contest
Days are getting warm, trees are leafing out, flowers are starting to bloom and, most importantly to me, my youngest kiddo is coming home from college. Summer is arriving. The kiddo isn’t home for long this time, just a week. Then I pack him on a plane and he heads west for an internship. This […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Coastal Journal, Lakes Region Weekly, Northern Forecaster, Portland Forecaster, Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Letter: Political independents also can partake of ‘Kool-Aid’
In a May 1 forum, “Patriotism not limited to one party, so stop throwing stones,” John Facella accuses Susan Chichetto, (April 24 forum, “Patriotism is not loyalty to one person“) of projection: accusing others of one’s own flaws. But while saying “stop throwing stones,” Facella does precisely that – projects with carefully-edited “movement conservative” sound […]