Video: Fort Knox Civil War weekend brings history to life

3rd Maine Infantry Company A event July 17-18 includes 1861-1865 life in and around the fort, from medical care to marches to writing — and, of course, plenty of firing of muskets and cannons.

Time to go back to the doctor

Pandemic sports safety starts behind scenes

Everyone has heard or used the phrase: "Logistical nightmare." Those words have added meaning in the high school sports world as many people, despite countless logistical nightmares, worked tirelessly and successfully behind the scenes the past three months to provide a safe, memorable winter experience for student-athletes during COVID-19. It was a nearly impossible task that these unsung, mostly unseen, sports ...

Poetry Pharmacy

Dear Poetry Pharmacy, A colleague of mine just lost his mother to cancer. It's hard to know what to say. I'd love to offer him some support — or at least commiseration — with an appropriate poem. Can you help? This certainly is one of the key uses for poetry: to offer up words in difficult circumstances, when our own voices feel inadequate. I find a bittersweet comfort in Joy Harjo's poem “For Keeps,” in which ...

Poetry Pharmacy

Dear Poetry Pharmacy, The world needs as much help as we can give, so I try to get out and take a stand when I can. I would like to have a poem to read at a rally or protest meeting. I'm not looking for something particular to any party or cause, but something about the value of dissent and staying politically engaged. It's so good to know there are always people like you who are committed to positive change ...

Poetry Pharmacy: Poems to bring people together

Dear Poetry Pharmacy, My two children, five years apart, loved each other when they were young. Now they are on opposite sides politically, and one is straight and the other gay and they cannot see eye to eye. I would love a poem that speaks to waging peace between divided family members. I know this is a tall order but do so believe in the wellness and balance poetry can bring. Yes, one important thing poems — ...

Poetry Pharmacy: Poems for cabin fever

Dear Poetry Pharmacy, Forget April — March is a pretty cruel month here in Maine. How about a poem to help deal with a bad case of cabin fever? As Robert Frost definitely didn't say about this time of year in New England, there are miles to go before we sunbathe. The Poetry Pharmacist is struggling herself, and offers two possible prescriptions: Either you can embrace the hardship and seek some commiseration, ...

Poetry Pharmacy: Poem for widow of bird lover

Dear Poetry Pharmacy, We had a friend who died on Jan. 11, his 94th birthday. He was our neighbor for many years. He once made us a platform bird feeder and came over and installed it. He also liked to feed a porcupine (who lived under his shed) an apple a day. He was an avid bird watcher. We'd like to send his widow a poem. Any good ideas? I'm so sorry for the loss of your dear friend and neighbor. The first ...

A poem for Indigenous Peoples Day

"Earth Blessing" by Jack Manno May earth's song reach us in our deepest and wildest places. May it be heard as we move upon her, as we partake of her sustenance, as we nestle in her waters and grasses May we hear the voices of the stones, the winds and waters, creatures and plants, above the human chatter, softly but not silently, so we can heed them when we must. May all those who try to conquer earth's powers ...

Rosie swims, but she doesn't bathe

Bill Cosby, back when he was just an up-and-coming comic who talked about the vicissitudes of family life, famously remarked on how 2-year-olds are happy to splash around in the toilet, but bawl their heads off when put into a bath. We experienced something similar recently with Rosie, our 9-month-old Cockapoo puppy. We took the dogs -- Rosie, and Cushla, the 5-year-old German Shepherd -- to our favorite nature ...