Editorials - The County

Editorials

It’s all a matter of degree

Here in northern Maine, we’re used to spending plenty of our hard-earned cash to heat our homes, and this year, cooling them has been pretty expensive as well.

Patois, dictons and metaphores

In 1999 (and in a second edition in 2007) I compiled hundreds of old patois, dictons and metaphores used in the St. John Valley from way back when to today. The books sold very well and were very popular.

Supporting Maine farmers and food-insecure families

The effects of COVID-19 on Maine’s families, farmers and food systems have been serious and are certain to persist for months to come. As part of Congress’ response to the pandemic, I strongly advocated for the creation of a new program that would help support farmers while simultaneously helping to alleviate hunger in our communities.

COVID-19 exposes systemic failures

Lisa Savage, Maine [Independent Green] candidate for the U.S. Senate, promises the most comprehensive plans for systemic changes needed to meet escalating crises exposed and worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, crises that have been building for decades.

Lost

“Sign In and Out” it said on the small, weather-beaten placard at the edge of the woods. Just below was a clipboard inside a makeshift wooden box, to protect it from the elements, along with a pencil nub on the end of a string.

Collins is commited to Maine

A recent full-page ad in this newspaper, paid for by “Sara Gideon For Maine,” attacked Susan Collins with the charge that “Senator Collins has changed.” Mind you, this would be the same Susan Collins that for seven consecutive years has been, according to Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy, the most bipartisan United States Senator.

Time to “dew” it again

“My eyes glaze over when you talk about that. Why not stick to the old percentage thing?” That was a recent comment I received, complaining about my frequent summertime use of dew point to describe how muggy or not muggy the air is.

All in a name

As I wrote in my last column, researching during the pandemic was challenging with the internet the most available source. This led to some frustrations, as you will see.

Time to catch up

Where has the time gone since my last update? I knew I needed to get back in touch with readers when my Uncle Frank called from Illinois and asked if everything was OK since there was no “Community Connections” article for June.

Cooking with Susie Q – Week of July 21, 2020

So many of us are growing a garden this year. Many haven’t grown a garden before or in many years. We’re home, we wear masks when we go out, and we social distance. In the garden you don’t have to wear a mask.

Do your part and be vigilant

I know we are all tired of hearing about the coronavirus. However, the fact is that this is an extremely dangerous virus with long-term health ramifications. It is, therefore, important that everyone does their part to stay safe and protect themselves as well as those around us so things can get back to normal as soon as possible.

E. A. Williams cartoon – Week of July 13, 2020

Working together in the age of COVID-19

In the wake of COVID-19, the Maine Legislature was forced to rapidly switch gears to keep Maine people safe and healthy. Hundreds of lawmakers, staff and members of the public go to the Statehouse on any given day to participate in the lawmaking process.

Rebuilding bridges for better transportation in Maine

There is an urgent need to repair and replace Maine’s aging bridges. Our state currently has 314 bridges in poor condition, the seventh highest percentage in the country.

Braking for the unexpected

A midnight attempt to take a bath turned into a surgery; a stint in rehab; and now recovery. Broken legs can be complicated.

Scorched earth

My last column was titled, "My Oh My, Hot and Dry,” and stated, "By the time you read this, we may well have challenged the record for the hottest temperature on record at Caribou, which is 96 degrees, recorded on both June 29th, 1944, and May 22nd, 1977."

Access to affordable health care is vital for all Mainers

For years, too many Maine families have struggled to pay for medical care, ranging from routine doctor visits and prescriptions, to emergency treatment.

Foibles and fun with favorite phrases

You know how this feels: you’re in a conversation with someone and you utter a folksy expression you’ve heard all your life, and the other person tilts their head and wrinkles their nose as if you had just spoken Armenian.

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