Editorials - Fiddlehead Focus

Editorials

Blood of Vikings

My husband and I recently re-watched a BBC production called “Blood of the Vikings.” No, it’s not the latest Stephen King horror movie, but a report of the archaeological and DNA search for traces of the Viking presence in England, Scotland and Ireland.

In the pressure chamber

So many members of my family and friends ask me the question, “What is it like to go into the hyperbaric chamber? Do you get nervous or are you claustrophobic?” These are expected and perfectly appropriate questions, my friends. And my answer is no. I do not allow my mind to go down that particular path because every session is vital toward healing.

Your Welsh ancestors

Do you have Welsh ancestry? Many who do haven’t tried to do much research in Welsh records. The Welsh are a proud people, descendants of Celts. My own Welsh heritage stems from the Merrick/Meyrick line from the Isle of Anglesey, now Anglesey County. For about 20 years it was part of Gwynedd County, but after 1996 was reestablished as an independent county.

Honoring first responders on the 9/11 anniversary

Twenty-one years ago, I was working in the woods, out of cell phone range and miles away from the closest television. It seems like a lifetime ago — I had just graduated from the University of Maine at Fort Kent, celebrated my 29th birthday and had never stepped foot in the Statehouse as an elected official.

Sharing a new journey

My friends, I must apologize to you for my long absence. I am in the midst of a journey like no other; one I did not choose, yet one that has changed my life in unimaginable ways. As for the lessons learned, they are far too numerous to categorize or list.

Vieux noms

Ont parlais des vieux noms d’place l’autre jour. Les noms d’place qu’ont connaisais avant que l’gouvernment s’en méle avec toute sorte de nom anglais ou de français éstropié.

The gift of Apollo, 53 years later

I am aging and eroding anxiously and rapidly, but the lunar timelessness of Tranquility Base remains inviolate. On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin trod across that timelessness and brought back to planet Earth the “Year Zero”, the reality of greatness within everyday American life and every American heart.

Valley Girls comic – Week of August 31, 2022

Strengthening opioid treatment resources for Maine seniors

The opioid epidemic continues to claim the lives of far too many people, with record numbers of both Mainers and Americans lost in 2021. While many perceive the face of opioid addiction as young, the epidemic harms older adults as well. In Maine, more than 10 percent of drug overdose deaths last year were among residents 60 and older.

Castle Garden

Did your ancestors emigrate to the U.S. in the 19th century through New York City? The first name that comes to most genealogists’ minds is Ellis Island. But prior to 1893, Ellis Island as a port of entry didn’t exist. If your ancestor came into New York between 1820 and 1892, they would have entered through a port of entry known then as Castle Garden.

Murder on my streets

Rat-tat-tat, rat-atat-tat goes the automatic rifle. And the world descends into madness. What if I were lying on the street of my beloved hometown with my blood pooling about me? And my last shuddered, shocked and unbearably painful thoughts were set gazing at the blue-cloud-puffed sky ordained by Thee?

Census pitfalls

All genealogists avidly use the census for information about their ancestors. Starting in 1790 the U.S. censuses were taken every 10 years. By 1850 all those in a household were listed and in 1880 the relationships were spelled out. What’s not to like about any of that?

A piece of sky

As promised so many weeks ago, here is the second part to my most recent Northern Yarn regarding my fascination with old buildings. I have spoken before of my career and of the honor of working with those who were visually impaired or blind. Each precious encounter I experienced in itself was a life lesson, and from time to time I am inspired to share some of these “yarns” with you.

La lettre V pi Y

Bon, b’en avec cette article on a fini de publier l’alphabet de mes livres de patois, dictons pi metaphores. L’mois qui vien j’veut commencer a publier des poêmes, des observations, toute sortes de chôses, I guess.

Honoring our veterans through resources and recognition

Recently, I attended a White House signing ceremony for three bills I championed to help ensure that America’s veterans receive the benefits, resources, and recognition they earned through their service to our country.

Valley Girls comic – Week of July 13, 2022

Thanks, but no thanks.

What’s that worth?

As I write this column inflation is at an all-time high, prices soaring skyward, product shortages common, people flinch as they fill their cars and we’re all making nips and tucks to our budgets.

Valley Girls comic – Week of July 6, 2022

Go away, pollen.

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