On August 20 the Stancioffs reminded Citizen readers of the importance of statistics. Hard numbers, percentages, comparisons; properly used and clearly understood. Statistics can help us understand our schools. Fortunately, SAD 44 has a “Public Information Program” that declares: “Public support for the schools depends upon informed public opinion.” (Policy adopted August 20, 2004.) The […]
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Posted inThe Bethel Citizen
Backyard Reflections — Miraculous moss
Recently I transplanted some small cedar trees in a cedar garden. The purpose of this planting is to help seedlings survive the winter grazing. Cedars are second successional trees that grow slowly and we have so many deer that these little seedlings often don’t make it to adulthood, so I am intervening on their behalf. […]
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Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, The Bethel Citizen
Wandering: wildflowers
In late May, as I was pushing vegetable seeds into the warming soil of my garden, I planted a straight line of sunflowers in an empty row. My thought was the bright late-summer color would draw attention away from plants that would be nearing the end of their useful life. Wildflowers will always be prominent […]
Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, The Bethel Citizen, The Franklin Journal
Movie Review: The Secret Garden
It’s been a while since I reviewed a kids’ movie. “Scoob!” was the last one, all the way back in May. There’s a pleasantness to these movies that I missed. Obviously, kids’ movies can get into dark subject matter the same way movies for grown-ups can be light, and indeed this movie is heavy on […]
Posted inThe Bethel Citizen
Mahoosuc Bird Notes – American Goldfinch
The American Goldfinch (photo by Ken Thomas) is one of the most common feeder birds in our area. The male American Goldfinch with its orange beak, bright yellow body, black forehead and wings and tail is among the most recognizable birds for many. It is a striking bird. He doesn’t stay that way all […]
Posted inThe Bethel Citizen
Backyard Reflections: Herb talk, part two
I have a deeply personal relationship with the earth as a whole but ‘my land’ contains me; I am wed to her and to the forests, fields, ponds, and mountains here in Maine. So, to return to the subject of herbs, it’s not surprising that I am drawn to use herbs that grow in this […]
Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, The Bethel Citizen, The Franklin Journal
Movie Review: The Rental
“The Rental” is a thriller set at, what else, a rental house. Rental houses like the one in this movie are essentially hotels, and horror has a long proud history with hotels. There was “Psycho” back in 1960, “The Shining” in 1980, and a season of “American Horror Story” that won Lady Gaga a Golden […]
Posted inThe Bethel Citizen
Mahoosuc Bird Notes — Great Blue Heron
I sometimes see Great Blue Herons flying overhead with slow wingbeats and I think – Pteradactyl. When I see them standing motionless knee-deep in water, eyes fixed on a fish I can’t see, I think – Tiger. When I see the lightening speed with which it strikes, I think – Snake. When I look […]
Posted inThe Bethel Citizen
Backyard Reflections: Herb talk, part 1
Paul Stamets, mycologist (mushroom expert) and author states that plants that live in a particular habitat develop their own immune systems. When I read those words I realized that on some level I have sensed this truth ever since I first began to use herbs for healing purposes but I never really thought about it […]
Posted inThe Bethel Citizen
Education: Bicentenary
MAINE: 200 Years of Social Distancing. It’s a slogan that addresses our past and acknowledges the present. In 1820 we tried distancing ourselves from Massachusetts. We’re still working on it. The past isn’t really past. Look at Bethel’s Main Street: most of it has been repurposed, recycled. Has our history made us frugal, not to […]