Maine is a land of traditions. Some of them are beautiful. A few are even profound. Some of them are distinctly odd. Most of them are seasonal. None of them (or at least none that I can think of) are pretentious. Which, in its own way, is another one of our traditions. That plaid-clad, down-to-earth […]
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Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, Scarborough Leader, South Portland Sentry, The Forecaster
Mainewhile: Housing needs and solutions come in all shapes, sizes
Housing, housing, housing! Everyone is talking about housing right now. It makes sense. Housing is a big need right now. “Need” is an interesting word to use as a place to start. What does a person “need” in a home? I think it probably varies by the person. There is “shelter,” and then there is […]
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Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, Scarborough Leader, South Portland Sentry, The Forecaster
Through My Lens: Traditions of the fleeting summer season connect us
Thank you, Maine, for another amazing summer. This summer, I joined a community of longtime Mainers, nestled in their cabins off the dirt roads of Shady Nook in Trenton. The driveways led to the peaceful Union River Bay, with a stunning view of Blue Hill where the sun set in golden hues behind the hill’s […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, Scarborough Leader, South Portland Sentry, The Forecaster
Mainewhile: Where are you from? It’s a complicated question
“Where are you from?” Such an interesting question. On the one hand, I think it is absolutely fundamental to the human experience to ask this. It is rooted in the primal idea of “clan,” the big question of “friend or foe?” I think about all of the many cultures where when people meet, they greet […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, Scarborough Leader, South Portland Sentry, The Forecaster
Mainewhile: Life is a balance of loss, grief, joy and adjustments
Sept. 11 is a day of national mourning. This year marked the 23rd anniversary of the awful, sad, mind-boggling day when terrorists took so many lives. Moments in history like that, the big traumas, they leave a really big scar. You remember where you were. I was home, snuggled up with my not-quite-1-year-old baby. He […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, Scarborough Leader, South Portland Sentry, The Forecaster
Forum: Tips for navigating big Medicare changes in 2025
The Inflation Reduction Act brings big changes to Medicare plans starting January 2025. Knowledge is key. Ninety percent of Medicare beneficiaries with prescription drug plans and Medicare Advantage plans will be affected. There is both good news and disruptive news. First, the good news: Starting in 2025, prescription medication costs will be capped at $2,000. […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, Scarborough Leader, South Portland Sentry, The Forecaster
Mainewhile: How lucky Mainers are to host celebrities, two- and four-legged alike
Our state gets a lot of visitors. This is not news to anyone. After all, though we may think of ourselves as “the Pine Tree State,” our license plates proclaimed us “Vacationland” way back in 1936 – and it seems to have stuck. That’s fine. We are a gracious state, we roll out the pine […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, Scarborough Leader, South Portland Sentry, The Forecaster
Through My Lens: It takes real courage to have an honest conversation about immigration
Sometimes, it takes real courage to have an honest conversation about immigration, even if that means sitting down with people who are suspicious, unsure or convinced that immigrants are brought in by Democrats to bolster their voter base. This conversation requires us to confront deep-rooted misconceptions and challenge the narratives that have been fed to […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, Scarborough Leader, South Portland Sentry, The Forecaster
Mainewhile: Why must Halloween infringe on summer?
Happy Labor Day! By the time you are reading this, the holiday will have come and gone. How was it? I would love to spend some time talking about the holiday origins and labor unions, but I am here right now to talk about Labor Day as a marker, a line to be crossed on […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, Scarborough Leader, South Portland Sentry, The Forecaster
Mainewhile: Fair season is the best season
OK everybody, here we are at my most favorite time of year – fair season. I mean, OK, it can be an exhausting day. You get hot and dusty, and sort of overwhelmed with sights, sounds, smells and crowds. But, oh, who am I kidding? All worth it, it’s the fair! The thing about the […]