Last year when I returned from New Mexico I found an Eastern Phoebe’s nest under the eaves above my front door. I witnessed the three nestlings mature with deep pleasure, happy because the phoebes have only nested on the house once before, though this little valley has been home to these endearing birds ever […]
Citizen Columns
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Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, The Bethel Citizen, The Franklin Journal
Movie Review: Scoob!
It has been over a month since “Trolls World Tour” took the On Demand world by storm, offering families the chance to catch a shiny new movie while stuck in quarantine. That film took in an estimated $100 million in revenue in its first two weeks, success that “Scoob!” is hoping to repeat with its […]
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Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, The Bethel Citizen
Energy Matters: Is the answer blowin’ in the wind?
To some, industrial wind power is as puzzling as the Bob Dylan song proclaiming that “the answer is blowin’ in the wind.” This vague and mysterious claim inspires more questions – like, does it even make sense? Likewise, why do they build these giant towers hundreds of feet tall and then stick thin, sparse blades […]
Posted inThe Bethel Citizen
Mahoosuc Bird Notes — American Redstart
A small, orange and black bird zipped out and caught a fly then went back to a branch. It didn’t sit still long, dashing from branch to branch. At each stop, it spread its tail and dropped its wings showing an abrupt flash of orange. This is the American Redstart (photo by gailhampshire), another […]
Posted inThe Bethel Citizen
Ellis Pond Sidekicks
Greetings! As I write this, we are at the start of Memorial weekend. Due to the timing, I’m going to try and keep this newsletter brief. The Ellis Pond Sidekicks membership continues to grow. We are now at 677 and have our eyes set on 700 in time for the Fourth of July. We have […]
Posted inThe Bethel Citizen
Backyard Reflections: bluebird spring
When I arrived home in Maine seven weeks ago my friends Kathy and Bob already had eastern bluebirds coming to her feeders/nest boxes. So did my friend Bob. Recently I spent an afternoon bluebird watching with Kathy and Chris. A week ago the bluebirds and swallows were still debating who would nest where. I have […]
Posted inThe Bethel Citizen
Backyard Reflections: Ruffed grouse – a mother’s gift
On Mother’s Day just before dusk, I saw an amazing sight just outside my front door. It had been a cold gray wind driven day, so the birds at my feeder were scarce, even here in the hollow. To see the male grouse displaying his beautiful feathers on my front step brought tears to […]
Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, The Bethel Citizen, The Franklin Journal
Movie review: Parasite
This past February, the South Korean film “Parasite” did something that no other foreign-language, foreign-produced “international” film had ever done: win the Oscar for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Whether this victory counts as an “upset” is a matter of debate (I personally thought “1917” would take it), but what isn’t debatable is that […]
Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, The Bethel Citizen
Energy matters: No free energy
Ever get the impression that everything is more complicated than it seems? It’s true! There seems to be some controversy these days about “green energy” sources such as wind, solar, and hydro, in terms of whether their net impact is in fact “green.” The thesis seems to be: “If you dig up the dirty laundry […]