Europeans May Have Figured Out That RUssia’s War Plans Don’t End in Ukraine!
It looks like the Europeans may have figured out that Russia’s war plans don’t end in Ukraine, so more and more countries are beginning to send aid to the Ukrainians. The Americans, however, are still working through flawed economics and political considerations. BUT…
DAMS, WATERFALLS, AND MILLPONDS IN DOWNTOWN CAMDEN: THE TREASURES OF THE MEGUNTICOOK RIVER. Join Us for Jane’s Walk.
The Megunticook River is a very short, very steep stream in Camden, Maine. At one time there were ten or more active mills and dam sites on the stream. The town of Camden was settled and grew on the Megunticook River because of the water power of the Megunticook for...
Russia’s War Machine Reaching Twilight
While Moscow has plenty of old equipment to churn through in its attempt to drag Kyiv back into its orbit, the same cannot be said for its ability to place more bodies on front lines. Russia’s post-soviet demography was already a mess before the war. Combined with hundreds of thousands of casualties due to the war, and estimates of up to a million fighting age men who have slipped out of the country, and Russia is facing a grim inversion of its WWII challenges: while it may have plenty of (aging, derelict) equipment with which to wage war on its neighbors, young men are becoming much harder to find and even harder to replace…
Camden Maine Knowlton Dam Is Also Threatened With Demolition
In the effort to save Camden’s Montgomery Dam, it is often overlooked that the Knowlton Street Dam, a half mile upstream, has also been recommended for demolition in the Interfluve report that’s being used to justify removing the Montgomery Dam.
Peak of the Eclipse Rockport Harbor
On Monday we enjoyed the eclipse from an overlook above the harbor. Here we only experienced about 90% occlusion, but it was a gloriously warm and cloudless day. More than anything, the few peak umbral moments yet again reminded me how infinitesimal we truly are. Nature, as ever, is the greatest teacher of all…when we slow down and open ourselves to her. On a far less reflective note, we are girding ourselves for the coming season and are already feeling a bit overwhelmed even as we count our blessings given the myriad projects and opportunities right off our bow. I want to hit pause, though, for a moment to offer you – our extended family – heartfelt thanks…gratitude and appreciation that could not derive from any deeper in my me.
Ohio’s Plastics Industry’s Juicy Secret
For most of America, the shale sector looks fairly similar – traditional oil production produces natural gas as a byproduct, which is flared off until infrastructure is put in place to harness it. However, the Marcellus and Utica fields in Ohio primarily produce natural gas that is used for fuel across the central and eastern US. This is a bigger deal than it seems. If the tri-state area of Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania were a country, it would produce more natural gas than any countries save Russia and the United States itself.
Delicious Alewives
Alewives are mostly used for lobster bait. But according to The Washington Post, given the flavor …
#5 Vintage Basketball 2024 Spring Session Girls Basketball Camden-Rockport vs Belfast 12/21/1998
Watch this Vintage Girls Basketball game, played on December 21, 1998 at Camden-Rockport High School in Camden. Playing for Coach Jay Carlsen’s Windjammers were Anna Somo, Sarah Dailey, Megan Cressler, Becca Neville, Megan Bedford, Tony-Lynn Robbins, Jen Dickey, Laurem Withey, Nicole Auspline, and Karinna Russo. Starying for the Belfast Lions were Erin Herbig, Amy Flood, Amanda Brown, Jamie Marden, Amy Potvan, Liz Kelly Shawna Curtis, and Katie Lahaye. The Play-by-play broadcaster was Charlie Crockett, ststistician Don Palmer, and spots videographer Penny Crcokett. If anyone recalls who was in the Windjammer “Spirit Creature” suit for that game, please mention the name in the comments.
Washington County libraries are preparing for the future
When Sharon Kiley Mack walked into a library for the first time as a little girl, she wept at the sight of so many books.More than six decades later, Mack again found herself weeping at her local library in Machias. But this time it was because she couldn’t enter.
Maine’s firefighters rarely fight fires. Instead they’re answering medical calls.
In 2022, just 4.5 percent of calls that came into Maine fire departments were for fires. Seventy percent were for medical assistance.
For years, fire departments around the state have struggled to hire enough staff and volunteers to handle an increasing number of calls.
But in many places, those calls are no longer to fight fires — instead, departments are spending most of their time responding to medical emergencies.
Putin’s offensive capability will be gone ‘within a decade’ || Peter Zeihan
Here’s my Frontline interview with Times Radio from last week. We discussed the war in Ukraine and global security, specifically looking at what could unfold in Russia due to this conflict.
“Putin is running out of time and allies as the west doubles down on shutting Russia out of the global economy and corruption erodes his military gains in Ukraine.”
Images from Maine #180 || Peter Ralston
Slowly, slowly we trend into spring and thank our lucky stars for that. Here’s another little selection for you… of Maine, from Maine.
It’s eerily quiet along the coast now. Hereabouts we’re taking the present historic challenges extremely seriously but we know that this too shall pass and our streets and harbors will once again bustle when the current storm clears. How we look forward to seeing you back here then!
Vintage Boys Basketball # 4 Spring Season 2024 Camden-Rockport vs Rockland February 1996
Watch this 1996 Vintage Boys Basketball game between the Windjammers of Camden-Rockport and the Tigers of Rockland. This game was played at Camden-Rockport High School in Camden in February of 1996, the last game of the regular season and Parents’ Night. The players were introduced by Jon Duke, who also conducted an interview with Coach Hart. Starting for Coach Jeff Hart’s Windjammers were Jim Wilson, Jon Moro, Tory King, Tim Marden, Nate Neville, Clint Beveridge, Jeremy Marden, Zach Rogers, Max Leighton, and Nick Callannan. Starting for Coach Terrio’s Tigers were TJ Storey, Travis Reynolds, Jeremiah Labree, Matt Breen, Tolman, and Williams. The play-by-play announcer was Charlie Crockett, statistician Don Palmer, and sports videographer Penny Crockett .
Portland Stage Presents “Play Me a Story” Children’s Theater Event at Watts Hall Community Arts in Thomaston
[Thomaston] - Get ready for a morning filled with magic and excitement as Portland Stage presents "Play Me a Story" at Watts Hall Community Arts in Thomaston on Saturday, April 13th, from 10:00 am to 11:15 am.This captivating event kicks off at 10:00 am with a...
WW&F Railway Volunteer Recruitment Day Rescheduled to Saturday April 13
The Wiscasset, Waterville and Farmington Railway is entering its 35th year in preservation. Since 1989, the preserved Railway has grown from an ambitious dream and a single building on Cross Road in Alna, to one of the nation’s foremost heritage Railways: a reconstruction of the narrow gauge railroad which served the Sheepscot Valley until 1933.
All of this work has been achieved through the generous labor of our volunteers. They are the ones who have taken the dream and turned it into reality. Today’s WW&F Railway, much like the railway of 100 years ago, is a unique conveyance to vibrant attractions, like SeaLyon Farm and Midcoast Conservancy’s Trout Brook Preserve. We’re looking for volunteers of all ages, skills, and interests to join us in continuing our quest to ‘Rebuild Maine History’.
Vintage Girls Basketball # 3 Spring Season 2024 Camden Hills vs Waterville 2007
Watch this Vintage Girls Basketball game, played in 2007 at Camden Hills Regional High School in Rockport. Playing for Coach Jay Carlsen’s Windjammers were Allie Parent, Kayla Gushee, Kate Fetterman, Erika Johnson, Kala Carleton, Kristin Tedford, and Chelsea Labree. Playing for Coach Ted Reoux’s Purple Panthers were Stephanie Whitten, Sarah Given, Morgan Frame, Paige Gardiner, Elizabeth Bell, and Jen Nale . The play-by-play announcer was Charlie Crockett, statistician Don Palmer, and sports videographer Penny Crockett.
Why Are Cat’s Eyes Slits?
Perhaps it’s because they never want to miss seeing a fleeing mouse? Or a tasty treat? Or something better…?
More Than Hon Hon Hon: What Are the French Up to in Ukraine? || Peter Zeihan
There’s been recent discussions by French President Macron regarding deploying French troops to Ukraine. Is this really going to happen and why would they do this? Given France’s nationalist stance, stable demographics, and the evolving European…
Vintage Boys Basketball # 2 Spring Season 2024 Camden-Rockport vs Winslow January 1999
Watch this 1996 Vintage Boys Basketball game between the Windjammers of Camden Hills and the Black Raiders of Winslow. this game was played at Camden-Rockpot High School in Camden in January of 1996. The players were introduced by student president Tim Brown. Starting for the Coach Jeff Hart’s Windjammers were Jim Wilson, Jon Moro, Tory King, Tim Marden, Nate Neville, Zak McIntyre, Ben Spooner, Tyler Smith, Ven Marshall, Brian Fitzpatrick, DW Poole, and Nick Learnard. Starting forCoach Thurston’s Black Raiders were Todd Carter, Patrick Bard, Ty Hathworth, Josh Pliska, Nate Kurion, Ryan Caldwell, and Nate Sheward.
The Ukraine War Goes Seaborn || Peter Zeihan
The Ukrainians have made some huge strides in the maritime theater and have poked some eyebrow raising holes in Russia’s naval capabilities.
The first thing of note is the sinking of a Russian patrol vessel by Ukrainian Jetski based drones. This drone strike took place farther east than other attacks, bringing Russian detection capabilities into question.
The second incident was the sinking of a Russian landing ship. This further hampers Russia’s ability to reinforce Crimea and shows just how vulnerable Russian naval assets might be.
‘I got stuck with 30 to 40 hogs’: Meat producers frustrated by slaughterhouse backlogs
John Carter’s family has been farming in Bethel since 1791. His business, Middle Intervale Farm, brings roughly 200 head of livestock to market every year, and sells beef, lamb, eggs and produce throughout the state.
During the pandemic, as large processing plants closed, demand for the farm’s beef went up — but the availability of spots at the local slaughterhouse went down.
“I definitely got cut back,” Carter said, meaning he had to keep animals, and pay to feed them, for a longer period. “I got stuck with thirty to forty hogs. That sucked.”
Images from Maine #179 – March || Peter Ralston
First, my apologies for missing two weeks of these “hugs from Maine.” I was away traveling and I must admit that it was great to thaw out a bit.
As ever, the very best part of going away was coming home…to Maine. Having said that, it’s March which means wildly varying temps and weather conditions. We all know that this is the eve of our Mud Season, the one time of year here for which I cannot think of a single person who has much of an appetite.
Ukraine Drone Strike Hits Refining Complex Deep in Russia || Peter Zeihan
Ukraine has been ramping up drone strikes and they just successfully hit another refining complex in Russia. The strike on the Nizhny Novgorod complex triggered a major fire and caused significant damage to storage units as well as other refining equipment. The...
Vintage Girls Basketball # 1 Spring Season 2024 Camden Hills vs Oak Hills December 2005
Watch this Vintage Girls Basketball game, played in December 2005 at Camden Hills regional High School in Rockport. Playing for Coach Jay Carlsen’s Windjammers were Allie Parent, Kayla Gushee, Carley Holgerson, Charitian Richard, Marianne Croce, Kate Fetterman, Erkia Johnson, Georgia Smith, Molly Kwaitkowski, and Chelsea Labrie. Playing for the Oak Hill Raiders were Amber Provost, Emily Sabine, Ashley LaBree, Kristen Eaton, Casey Cupfer, Tabitha Tucci, and Katland Wells. The play-by-play announcer was Charlie Crockett, statistician Don Palmer, and sports videographer Penny Crockett.
Europe’s Latest Crisis: Farmers On Strike || Peter Zeihan
If you’ve seen the videos of tractors driving through city centers and spraying manure on government buildings, then you’re well aware of the farmer protests happening throughout Europe…but why are they protesting?
Images From Maine #178 || Peter Ralston
Lest you think that winter here doesn’t also have its gentler, more soul-nurturing side, I am sharing with you a “hug” I sent last year at this time. I hope that you enjoy it…again.
Much as I love winter here and usually go out of way to avoid leaving Maine, today I am again taking off for parts south for a week…and may possibly forgo my note to you next Sunday. In any event, all of us here wish you and yours all the best as well.
Maine Class B Boys State Championship Basketball game Oceanside vs Orono 3/1/2024
Watch this 2024 Maine Class B Boys Basketball State Championship game between the Mariners of Oceanside and the Red Riots of Orono. This game was played at the The Cross Insurance Center in Bangor on Friday 3/1/2024. The play-by-play announcer was Charlie Crockett and the sports videographer was Penny Crockett.
Maine Class B Girls State Basketball Championship Oceanside vs Old Town 3/1/2024
Watch this 2024 Maine Class B Girls Basketball State Championship game between the Mariners of Oceanside and the Coyotes of Old Town. This game was played at the The Cross Insurance Center in Bangor on Friday 3/1/2024. The play-by-play announcer was Charlie Crockett and the sports videographer was Penny Crockett.
Maine Class B Boys South Regional Final Oceanside vs Lincoln Academy 2/23/2024
Watch this 2024 Maine Class B Boys Basketball South Regional Final game between the Mariners of Oceanside and the Eagles of Lincoln Academy. This game was played at the Portland Expo on Friday 2/23/2024. The play-by-play announcer was Charlie Crockett and the sports videographer was Penny Crockett.
Class B Girls South Regional Basketball Final Oceanside vs Spruce Mt. 2/23/2024
Watch this 2024 Maine Class B Girls Basketball South Regional Final game between the Mariners of Oceanside and the Phoenix of Spruce Mt. This game was played at the Portland Expo on Friday 2/23/2024. The play-by-play announcer was Charlie Crockett and the sports videographer was Penny Crockett.
