The African community is mourning the death of a friend, Pedro Matala, a brilliant young man from Angola, after he fell into the Presumpscot River in Falmouth in late July. We lost another brilliant young immigrant, Isha Ali from Lewiston, last summer after he drowned in the Androscoggin River. The death of these young immigrants […]
Lakes Region Weekly opinion
Mainewhile: Dark chocolate: How sweet it is – for your blood pressure
If you know me, then you know I am addicted to citations. I’ve never met a fact I didn’t love to research and verify, extrapolate upon, or disprove and debunk. Well, not this time. In this one instance, I am happy to let the headline stand, as is, unchallenged, unresearched, unquestioned. What might this outlier […]
Mainewhile: Mainers can make their lawns more planet-friendly
Several years ago, I was having a friendly conversation with an elderly gentleman I knew. Aware of his devotion to the game of croquet (he was a member of a team which competed weekly and he practiced near daily), I remarked how much I, too, enjoyed the game. To my great surprise, he replied, “No. […]
Life Unwound: Playing the mental game for the win
It started when our grandson played a junior golf tournament near us and my husband and I followed him for nine holes. He’d hit a long straight drive, turn to us with a smile and a thumbs up, which we’d return. The next hole he’d hit an errant drive and say something like, “My drive […]
Through My Lens: Yarmouth Clam Festival reflects the way life should be
I wished every New Mainer was with me to watch as Maine’s best were displayed in the parade during the afternoon of July 15 at the Yarmouth Clam Festival. I had my lawn chair out on West Elm Street across the now-closed Andy’s Handy Store. This is the area where I run at least a […]
Mainewhile: Dolly Parton is beautiful inside and out
I’ve never really understood the concept of sainthood, but I’ll tell you what: If there’s a way for a person such as myself to make a nomination, I would like those in authority to consider the astounding Dolly Parton. Seriously. The woman is the real deal. I admit I am biased. As a child of […]
Mainewhile: Sharks are scary, but they have an important role to play
Summertime in Maine is tourist season. Recently, summer has brought a new kind of seasonal visitor, one we haven’t quite figured out how to live with, in a change that seems like the new norm. I am speaking, of course, about sharks. Obviously, sharks aren’t new. They’ve been here all along. According to the Gulf […]
Life Unwound: Settle inner turmoil like the calmness of a snow globe
On a recent 90-degree day with over 60% humidity, I remembered my childhood snow globe. Do you remember the magic of the tiny bits of reflective glitter in the water-filled glass? When turned upside down or shaken, the particles fell like a snowstorm. I gazed at it, fascinated by the whiteout after a few jiggles. […]
Mainewhile: Maine owes its brand to now crippled EPA
We are in a drought. “Moderate” for the Midcoast as of this writing. So far, knock on wood, our well is holding up. We made it through last year’s drought, too, thank goodness. But pause a moment and consider that statement. We are in a drought … and we had a drought last year as […]
Through My Lens: Verbal microagressions are common and painful
“Your English is great for an immigrant. You don’t have that thick African accent.” This is a statement I heard recently that is one of the microaggressions we hear in our everyday lives. It hurts when Mainers think they should put their dogs in the basement when I visit. Or not bring red and white […]