As I was driving back from a trip into town the other day, there was something missing. I could not put my finger on it at first, but as I drove down the road toward our house, there was a definite absence from the roadside. Then it finally dawned on me, what was missing from […]
This is a bit of a break from my normal Life Downeast writing. Because on days such as these, when the snow is falling and the wind is blowing, so too, are the childhood memories rushing back to me in a syncopation of wonder, beauty and warmth. Sometimes we deserve the time to take a […]
Prisons are not glamorous. The general public’s attitude towards them is almost always negative and rarely do they receive public support. But an interesting thing is taking place here Downeast with one particular facility. A rallying cry from a community in support of a prison is gaining traction and is reminiscent of a community benefit […]
It is a New Year, and a time to reflect on days past while looking forward to days that sit around the corner waiting for us to arrive. It is a time for new beginnings and also a time to remember those that came not so very long ago. Many of our friends ask: What […]
The holidays are fast approaching, and this year the days have come even more quickly than in the past. Families will begin preparations for gatherings and gift giving, and traditions will be celebrated from household to household. Festive decorations will come out of musty basements and attics and be displayed for all to see in […]
It is that time of year when the temperature begins to drop, the winds shift in direction, and the waves appear to roll a little bigger and faster than normal. The colors of the leaves turn out, and the blueberry barrens begin the slow but vivid change to scarlet red. These are the typical signs […]
(Dedicated to all fishermen lost doing what it is they love doing) We all do it. We sit in a fancy restaurant and order the freshest thing we can find on the menu. Even before ordering we make it a point to make sure by asking the server, “Is it fresh? Most of the time […]
The shape of them today is pretty much the same as it has been for many years; the colors, well, that is another story. The colors as varied, as there are colors, abundantly dot the blue surface of Maine waters like an Easter basket brimming with brightly colored eggs. They look the same, but are […]
One by one the fishermen arrive. With no sound, perhaps a nod, they quietly take their seats. A cup of coffee arrives shortly after, silently and without any prompting. Then another fisherman enters, quickly followed by two more. Nods in greeting are exchanged with no words spoken, as this is clearly the non-verbal portion of […]
There are two things people generally have a hard time talking about, religion and politics. For some reason these two subjects often create controversy, heated discussions and a high risk of bad feelings among friends, acquaintances, and even family members. Government, too, can cause some trepidation to one wanting to talk about it or possibly […]
Having arrived here from Pennsylvania over a year ago, there has been plenty to learn and even more to observe. This place is different, but I mean that in a good way. Born and raised in Pennsylvania, I am a college graduate with a teaching degree, a business founder and seller, and a father of two children with my wife Stephanie; life has been full and somewhat adventurous, but finding Maine remains a high watermark in my life.
