When I worked at Current Publishing, a family of weekly community newspapers that merged with The Forecaster in 2015, one of our best annual newsroom traditions around Jan. 1 was seeking clarity and wisdom from a Magic 8-Ball for the new year. Staffers would come up with questions about news-related topics, and we’d run the […]
Lakes Region Weekly opinion
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Mainewhile: A guide to end-of-year charitable giving
Maybe it’s the cold, introspective weather, maybe it’s the holiday spirit, maybe it’s the year-end tax implications. Whatever the motivation, this is the time of year when many of us make or augment our charitable giving. You probably have some well-known favorites you like to support each year, but for those new to the giving […]
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Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Life Unwound: It’s the most ‘brutiful’ time of the year
Flakes falling. Fires aglow. Baking. “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” Not for all of us. Or, “Tis the season to be jolly.” Not always. At dawn recently, skies had already spit rain, sleet, then snow. I, not with my usual jump-out-of-bed smile, drove to a coffee shop “to get out of the […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Mainewhile: Winter solstice lights up our world in more ways than one
Solstice, the moment when we begin our path back to longer days, thanks to the orbit of our earth, is a time humans have celebrated since the dawn of time. This year’s solstice was Dec. 21. While the most famous festivals belong to the ancient Romans, Persians, Scandinavians and Celts, there is evidence of solstice […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Through My Lens: New Mainers face a dismal dating scene
Dating in Maine seems to be only for those who share a common culture and goals. Most Mainers have only been exposed to people from Black and brown communities through news stories, and that seems to be one of the challenges of interracial and intercultural dating in the state. While this challenge is also true […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Here’s Something: Have yourself a joyful little Christmas
A few years ago, I realized wintertime holidays come just when we need them. They distract us from what’s really going on. Summer is gone and the ever-present uncomfortableness that is a Maine winter is back in all its harsh reality. Darkness surrounds us for 15-plus hours a day, and those days are ruled by […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Mainewhile: National Guard steps up during crisis once again
Here we are, a little more than two weeks past the Thanksgiving holiday and, not coincidentally, COVID-19 infections are spiking. New grim records are being set every day. Even the perpetually positive and upbeat Dr. Shah looks wiped. According to the Maine CDC, over 73% of the state’s population has received their second dose of […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Life Unwound: Take it from an extrovert, silence can indeed be golden
I trained to talk. The oldest of seven children, I bantered as a toddler, hobnobbing with grown-ups. I helped the younger ones form vocabulary, first words like Momma, Dadda, look, no, up. In school we learned, “You’ll be graded on class participation.” No problem for me, an extrovert. I knew how to speak up, how […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Through My Lens: There will be no gifts this Christmas for those affected by climate crisis
The past few weeks had been challenging, as I had to decide between buying gifts for family and friends in Maine or sending donations to support my family and friends who are ravaged by serious water and food shortages. The recent droughts that hit parts of Somalia and Kenya are affecting 2.3 million people and […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Mainewhile: Think outside the box to foster holiday togetherness
Does anyone really need to know the full and detailed genetic makeup of their dog? I mean, average family pet owners have a dog of mixed parentage. Do any of us really need to swab their saliva and send it off for a full workup? I would argue not. In fact, it might be that […]