Conversations with Maine
CONVERSATIONS WITH MAINE
At home with a Pakistani teenager
When we heard that a 15-year-old Pakistani girl had been shot by extremists for publicly espousing education for girls, the news hit close to home. Our home, since Aug. 17, has included a 15-year-old Pakistani girl, here in the United States to further her education. Even before Malala Yousefzai’s shooting, ...
CONVERSATIONS WITH MAINE
Maine writers explore life, celebrate books in Bangor
There are those who predict the demise of books without concern. For them, Kindles and Nooks have won the evolutionary advantage. Others, like me, are loath to relinquish that feeling of substance when we hold a new book in our hands, that satisfying crinkle of a turning page, that evocative ...
CONVERSATIONS WITH MAINE
October blizzard with a peak-bagging friend
Since the computer world has co-opted the term “friend,” I’d like to set the record straight on friendship. A real-world friend calls you to join her for a cup of tea. She herds your escaped goats back home with a carrot. She shares her favorite bit of calming maternal advice: ...
CONVERSATIONS WITH MAINE
84-year-old professor still deep in ice and glaciers
Flowing north from the Kukri Hills of Victoria Land on the continent of Antarctica, there is a glacier named after geologist Harold “Hal” Borns. Last week I met with 84-year-old professor Borns in his office at the University of Maine. Well before our three-hour chat was done, it was clear ...
CONVERSATIONS WITH MAINE
Senegal offers amazing journey, new name
I told a friend of mine that I was going to spend a week in Senegal, a small country on the westernmost edge of Africa. The news sparked a vivid memory for him. He had spent six months in Sierra Leone long ago, but his first experience on African soil ...
CONVERSATIONS WITH MAINE
One summer of lizards that changed a life
In the course of interviewing people for this column, I have discovered that many life histories include a pivotal event that changes everything. I recently heard a particularly unusual “pivotal event” from Steve Ressel, who has been teaching science at College of the Atlantic for nearly 20 years. The glorious ...
Conversations with Maine
From airlift to flight home, Mainers support stroke victim and family
A couple of weeks ago, my household went into crisis management mode. While vacationing on an island off the coast of Mount Desert, my husband’s erstwhile healthy uncle was airlifted to Eastern Maine Medical Center. Uncle Dick had woken up feeling a bit “off” one morning on that roadless little ...
CONVERSATIONS WITH MAINE
Swan’s Island not for everyone, just right for a few
“Swan’s Island is not for everyone.” So opens an essay about Swan’s Island written several decades ago by Peg Bailey, a Swan’s Island real estate agent. Most Swan’s Islanders would agree that Peg’s dubious-sounding promotion remains largely true. The year-round population stands at about 332, a quirky combination of lifetime ...
Teen’s outdoor leadership bodes well for Maine’s environmental future
The average age of Baxter State Park users is rising, but those older folks who love the park won’t be able to take care of it forever. That is why the Maine Youth Wilderness Leadership Program hopes to attract young people who will be stewards of Maine’s outdoors into the ...
CONVERSATIONS WITH MAINE
Year-round resident makes life work on Swan’s Island
You’d be hard pressed to find anyone who knows more about the people and places of Swan’s Island than Donna Wiegle, even though she didn’t become a year-round resident until 2002. Maybe it’s because she provides health care at the local clinic. Maybe it’s because Donna has been writer and ...
CONVERSATIONS WITH MAINE
Curiosity key to life of artist, physician
Thomas Hope is a painter who has had a gallery showing in Spain. He is a sculptor; he does carpentry, brickwork and stonework; he plays piano and guitar and composes music; and he is fluent in three languages, having lived abroad for many years. He designed several houses, including the ...
CONVERSATIONS WITH MAINE
Boat builder finds his calling back home on Great Cranberry Island
GREAT CRANBERRY ISLAND, Maine — Last Friday I hopped on a boat manned by Josh Gray and his deckhand, a 7-year-old lab named Ozzie. Gray is the captain of “The Cadillac,” a 26-foot water taxi with a lobster boat hull that he built three years ago at the Newman and ...
CONVERSATIONS WITH MAINE
New Sweden 89-year-old looks back, and looks ahead
When I asked around about someone interesting to interview in New Sweden, Ralph Ostlund’s name came up — retired potato farmer, avid dancer and cross-country skier, world traveler, citizen of the year, irrepressibly energetic 89-year-old. Ostlund had never heard of me when I called to ask if I could visit ...
CONVERSATIONS WITH MAINE
A visit to New Sweden sweeps visitor up in the spirit of time and place
Nearly 30 years ago when I was a teacher in New Hampshire, I met a young woman with an intriguing background. Lisa’s northern Maine hometown sounded like a place of almost mythic remoteness. The fact that she had 106 first cousins only added to the mystique. Our lives overlapped again ...
CONVERSATIONS WITH MAINE
Her Majesty’s Cabaret creating a new universe in downtown Bangor
I knew that Her Majesty’s Cabaret would offer a glimpse into unfamiliar Maine territory when I read a comment on their Facebook page. It was written after their most recent comedy production: “I was hoping to go to Her Majesty’s Cabaret, but it was the last home roller derby bout ...
CONVERSATIONS WITH MAINE
Couple’s 40-year business retains personal touch
BANGOR, Maine — Shopping for clothing with my son takes place only after much arm-twisting. He once wore a pair of sneakers until they were more duct tape than canvas. Nevertheless, during a college break he finally agreed that he should have one nice suit. That was the day we ...
CONVERSATIONS WITH MAINE
‘I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change’ is a perfect marriage of music, comedy at Penobscot Theatre
If opening night was any indication, Penobscot Theatre has a smash hit on their stage. I have seen most of the theater’s performances over the last 10 years and this was one of its best. The production of “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” was not only laugh-out-loud funny, ...
CONVERSATIONS WITH MAINE
Caring for a raccoon called Michael
A recent poll in the Bangor Daily News indicated that a majority of readers had cared for a wild animal at some time. I felt a sense of kinship with all those readers. There is something deeply stirring about connecting with a wild creature; something profound in what they have ...
CONVERSATIONS WITH MAINE
Midcoast Maine minivacation
My brother once said to me that he wanted to live year-round in a place where other people go for vacation. That way he gets to enjoy all the attractions both in peak season and after the crowds go home. I keep telling him he should move to Maine. Most ...
CONVERSATIONS WITH MAINE
Signs lead artist to opportunity
I was a good distance out on Outer Hammond Street when I stopped for directions. “Do you know where DaVinci Signs is?” “I think I know where that is,” a woman said. “There’s this truck just up the street,” she made sweeping gestures with her arms, “all painted all over!” ...
Man accused of killing Glenburn teen denied bail, has received death threats, attorney says
Family remembers Nichole “CoCo” Cable, warns of social media dangers
Kyle Dube arrest, murder charges surprising to former Orono High School classmates
Glenburn woman gets 18 months for embezzling $100,000 from beagle rescue group
FBI kills Florida man with suspected ties to Boston bomb suspect
Nichole Cable: In our minds, hearts
Obama’s boyfriend line
Guest Post: “I’m about ready to name my daughter Revolution.”
How to humble a wing nut
Bucksport’s Wood enjoying the professional cage in MMA bouts
Unity Raceway heading in new direction when track opens for season Sunday
Former Dexter, Nokomis coach Pratt takes Mount View football post
UMaine’s Fransoso overcomes injuries, turns passion for baseball into stellar career
Houlton makes plans for new hockey boards at Millar Civic Center
Fun, informative or just plain strange: 8 museums in Maine worth a road trip
Bangor veteran of World War II exemplifies the way life should be
Microsoft unveils new Xbox One game console
