It should come as no surprise to learn that some of the greatest mysteries of the bird world are within some of our most common and familiar birds. Take the ever-present blue jay, for example. On…

We have had the good fortune to be able to be spending time with family in Central Florida, from where we are writing this column. While many birds are just returning to Maine in mid-May, the bulk…

Looking across the valley during a noontime dog walk around our neighborhood a few weeks ago, there among the drab, gray trunks and limbs of yet-to-leaf-out maples and oaks was a burst of yellow.…

Mistakes happen. Even in the bird world. Take for example the osprey that recently tried repeatedly to place sticks atop a tall light pole, high above the Bates College athletic field in Lewiston…

Denying someone the right to work or have equal access to money is not only mean and unfair, it’s a form of domestic abuse. Economic abuse is usually minimized and misunderstood because talking…

The recent legal challenges surrounding the abortion medication mifepristone have cast a shadow over reproductive rights, not just in Maine, but across the country. While the legal battles…

For much of last week, we were fortunate that our backyard was blessed with the presence of one of our largest and brightest colored sparrows, the fox sparrow. While there are a number of…

Called the “snowbird” by many people, the species officially known as the dark-eyed junco is a common and widespread winter visitor to much of the U.S. Here in Maine, flocks of juncos from Canada’…

Opening night for the first annual Maine Photographers Showcase drew artists and photography fans to Boothbay Region Art Foundation in Boothbay Harbor April 1. This outstanding collection of work…

The numbers are in and 2022 was a doozy. While total reported scams to the Federal Trade Commission dropped by 1 million, the total reported amount lost grew by $2 billion for a total of $8.8…

Maine is famous for its blueberries. Those small, deep-blue spheres have a sweet, rich, and earthy taste that seems to somehow capture the deep history of where they come from: barren lands taken…

In April of 2010, the unthinkable happened. An oil drilling platform in the Gulf of Mexico off Louisiana exploded. The operation, called Deepwater Horizon and operated by international corporate…

Last Friday, a friend told us that he had heard his first American woodcock of the year the night before. Woodcock are birds that are more often heard then seen, at least by most people. Those who…

A recent Maine-based magazine ran a feature about winter surfing in Maine. That article was highlighting people who enjoy the thrill of grabbing their boards and catching waves in the middle of  …

These warm days of late, even if interspersed with colder, more seasonal temperatures and occasional snow, have predictably made many of us humans think of spring. Birds seem to be feeling it, too…

It was winter the way we expect it here in Maine. The sun was shining and the sky blue, but the morning cold was intense, making the slightest breeze feel sharp and painful on any uncovered part…

All crimes that seek to steal money or sensitive information through deception are loathsome. But perhaps the most pernicious involve crimes of the heart. Online romance fraud is rampant and…

The Steller’s sea-eagle is back! We have to assume that, unless you live under a rock, you well remember the flurry of excitement last winter when one of the largest flying birds in the world made…

One way to protect yourself from identity thieves is by opting into two-factor authentication. This means that to log in to a given site, you enter your password, and then are prompted to enter an…

There have been lots of warnings in the news about the lack of ice on lakes and rivers in Maine this winter. Many traditionally frozen lakes and rivers have either frozen only for a short time or…

In the current environment of almost everyone being angry, I cannot get excited about having a conversation about current events. But, I thought people might find it interesting to hear what truck…

Domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness for women and their children in the United States.…

The arrival of finches from the north has always been an event that birders here…

Some have called it the “mountain mockingbird” or the “mockingbird of the sagebrush” but its official name is the sage thrasher. If you’ve never heard of it, don’t feel bad. It’s not a bird we…

As your voice in Augusta, I take my responsibility to pass laws that make a real and positive impact on the lives of people in our community very seriously. I’ve done my best to be as accessible…

Summer in Maine can be a fun and relaxing time – especially if you’re a student on school break. The summers I spent exploring our great outdoors when I was a kid are some of my most cherished…

Soaring gas prices are hitting us and so many of our friends and neighbors hard. The fact is, most of us rely on gas to power our cars, and we rely on our cars to get us where we need to go.…

Last week, …

Like many in our community, the leaked Supreme Court opinion overturning Roe v. Wade filled me with sadness and fear. Though the news didn’t come as a total surprise, it did…

As I speak with families across Lincoln County about the challenges they’re facing, one thing I’m hearing time and again is the difficulty of…

The numbers are in. The Federal Trade Commission released its annual compendium of fraud reports from last year, and the news is shocking. Over the past three years,…

If you’ve been keeping up with the news lately, you’ve likely heard a lot of talk about PFAS. PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a class of chemicals found in many products…

It’s important to me to know what folks in our community are struggling with, so late last year I sent out a survey to every household in my district asking you to let me know what challenges you’…

Making the decision to start a business is often the hardest part about starting one. After you make the decision to go for it, don’t wait to get started. Many…

The most important thing we all have is time.  If you read this to the end, you will never get that time back. Whether my words are worth your time or…

On Monday, Jan. 17, Mainers celebrated Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on what would have been the Reverend’s 93rd birthday. Dr. King’s legacy is one of fighting for human and…

It’s New Year’s Resolution time. Time to make a commitment to be fraud aware in 2022. For the next 52 weeks, like clockwork, scammers will be on the prowl looking to steal our money or sensitive…

As 2021 comes to a close, 2022 beckons right around the corner. For many, the beginning of each year is marked with an ambitious New Year’s Resolution that fails to materialize.

Start the…

Well.  I’m back. Did you miss me?  That rascally Covid thing messed some things up, but here we are.…

The holidays are here once again. After a difficult two years, I find myself appreciating even more deeply all that this season has to offer. The…

As the temperatures dip below freezing and the last leaves fall off the trees, winter creeps up again on Mainers each November.

Winter in Maine covers nearly five months of the year and…

For many, this time of year means gathering with family and friends for a special meal or an exchange of meaningful gifts. But putting food on the table or presents under the tree can be a…

Whether you sold something recently, have money lying in a bank account, received unexpected income, or have extra cash burning a hole in your pocket this article will try to inform you of a few…

With the leaves changing, it’s clear that fall is in full swing – even if some days it still feels like summer. I hope you and your family are enjoying one of Maine’s most beautiful seasons and…

Since the 1980s, American retirees have needed to rely more on their own investments for retirement, rather than employer pensions or social security income. While pension plans still exist they…

I was 18 years old when the U.S. Supreme Court guaranteed a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions in Roe v. Wade. If you’ve only known an America where abortion was safe and legal,…

Mainers take our duty to participate in our democracy seriously. Maine consistently…

So why should you bother with investing? For centuries, investing in businesses has been the primary driver of wealth for individuals and families.

Investing is a tool to help individuals…

Have you asked yourself, 

…