The 19th Century French novelist Romain Rolland once opined that “we are reckless in our use of the lovely word, friend.” Nowhere is that more true than on Facebook and other social media platforms. As an example, as of today, I have 1,202 “friends” on Facebook. Really? Do I have more than a thousand people … Continue reading Shiny, happy people
Gimme Shelter
There is no question that downtown Biddeford is going through a renaissance. From a run-down and neglected corridor of assorted and vacant mill buildings to one of the most desirable places for young people to live in southern Maine. Suddenly, without warning, downtown Biddeford became hip. Today, long-since abandoned textile mills in the downtown area … Continue reading Gimme Shelter
I’m a boy and I’m a man
Ralph Waldo Emerson once quipped that “a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.” This week, I offer a solid example in which society is best served from at least a little bit of consistency. State Rep. Maggie O’Neil (D-Saco) has introduced a bill (LD 706) to lower the voting age in Maine from … Continue reading I’m a boy and I’m a man
Video killed the radio star
As we continue our march through the 21st Century, there are still a great many people who are less than pleased about the various advances of technology and about how the so-called charge into a brave new world is affecting their lives and their nostalgic memories. Henry Thoreau opined that “the mass of men lead … Continue reading Video killed the radio star
One by one, until we’re done
It started with an e-mail I received Friday afternoon. It was sent to me by Marty Grohman, the man who sponsored my recent membership into the Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club. Marty was looking for volunteers who would be willing to give up a few hours to help FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) at its Mobile Vaccination … Continue reading One by one, until we’re done
When Irish eyes are smiling
Damn! I remember it like it was yesterday, but actually it was about a quarter century ago when I first met Vincent Keely and his son, Brian. It was Halloween day and I had just started my new job as a reporter for the Biddeford-Saco-OOB Courier. Back then, the Courier office was located on Washington … Continue reading When Irish eyes are smiling
Local water rates set to increase
Public water consumers in the Biddeford-Saco-Old Orchard Beach area will soon see a moderate spike in their monthly water bills. According to Maine Water, a rate increase of 77 percent will be spread out over a three-year period and be used to help fund the upgrade of existing infrastructure and build a new treatment plant … Continue reading Local water rates set to increase
A new era begins
It was almost exactly 12 years ago today when I found myself in Washington, D.C. as part of a massive crowd converging on the Capitol Building. We were hoping to get a glimpse of profound history: the inauguration of President Barack Obama. I remember that it was bitterly cold but the crowd was joyous. Beyond … Continue reading A new era begins
More than this . . .
I have made more than my fair share of bad decisions -- from thinking I could drive just a few more miles to the next rest stop, to throwing some kerosene onto a campfire. For more than nearly 30 years, I lived my life with no clear direction, no purpose, no meaning. Failure, it seemed, … Continue reading More than this . . .
The Unbearable Lightness of Being
Earlier this week, my community lost a great man. Don Wilson was 73 and apparently living with severe depression. Hopefully we all learned a lesson from this tragic event: Mental health disorders can be fatal, especially without professional health treatment. Can you imagine being in so much pain that you would hurl yourself in front … Continue reading The Unbearable Lightness of Being
NOTES TO CARL | LESSONS IN MEDIOCRITY 