Opinion - Fiddlehead Focus

Opinion

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.

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.

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.

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.

Valley Girls comic – Week of August 3, 2020

Sometimes delicious hurts

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.

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.

Book brings back memories

To the editor: I read this book recently, “The Acadian: Olivier,” written by a former resident of Fort Kent. Ironically, he lives a mere 15 miles from me in California.

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.

Valley Girls comic – Week of July 6, 2020

I hate traveling

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."

Vote for a smart investment in Maine

To the editor: I see Question 1 as an opportunity to make a smart investment in the people and economy of Maine. As a front-line technical support adviser, I assist people to work, teach, study and stay connected with loved ones from home.

Innocent until proven guilty

To the editor: I read Larry Shea’s letter (Right cause, wrong practice) in the St. John Valley Times, June 17. It was an excellent letter.

Le darnier/the last

I'm re-reading "Pélagie - la charette" by Antonine Maillet. It is about a small group of Acadians who have been deported to Georgia and, after 15 years of misery, decide to walk back to Acadia.

Are child laborers in your history?

The U.S. Census can shock you in regard to the number of children who held jobs. Today child labor laws are quite strict, but years ago children of certain economic classes were expected to work and contribute to the family income.

My oh my, hot and dry

At this writing, early Thursday morning, June 18, we remain very dry in Aroostook County. And heat? Oh, yes, I should say so. 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 29, 1944, and May 22, 1977.

Guidance from ancient history

To the editor: Looking at today's events in the news, not only in the U.S. but also around the world, regarding inequality, I'm reminded that nearly two thousand years ago a Roman Historian, Titus Livius, wrote:

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