Columnists
10/16/2026 · Old Town
The Three-Second Pause That Protects Your Day
You don’t need a dramatic boundary speech to stop overcommitting. One ordinary sentence, used consistently, can give you back the space to make honest choices.
The Tiny Bird That Refuses to Quit
Emily Dickinson turns hope into a small, stubborn creature that sings without asking permission—or payment. Read this poem once, and you may never think of optimism as a grand speech again.
10/12/2026
The Sentence That Can Expose a Foolish Thought
George Orwell had a wonderfully rude theory about bad writing: it does not merely reflect muddled thinking—it helps produce it. Try his test today on the next sentence you write.
10/12/2026
Tariffs, Shutdown Threats, and the Price of Political Theater
Washington keeps turning routine governing into a cliffhanger, while families absorb the costs through higher prices and thinner public services. Four stories explain why the noise matters, plus one quieter fight that could reshape American health care.
10/12/2026
Immersive Van Gogh Is Not a Museum. Good.
The giant projection room gets mocked for turning masterpieces into wallpaper. I say it should stop apologizing and admit what it really is: a very expensive, occasionally moving screensaver with excellent snacks.
10/12/2026
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Announcements
View allMaineDOT Announces Upcoming Work on I-95 Bridges over Broadway in Bangor
MaineDOT Announces Upcoming Work on I-95 Bridges over Broadway in Bangor Drivers should plan for delays and detours. BANGOR – October 9, 2026 – From October 16 to October 19, the Maine Department of Transportation will perform work on the I-95 bridges over Broadway at Exit 185 in Bangor as part of the ongoing I-95 bridge replacement project. Crews will complete shoulder reconstruction, milling, paving, and related work on I-95 Southbound necessary to transition traffic from the temporary southbound bridge onto the new, permanent, southbound bridge. The work will proceed in four phases, with lane and ramp availability changing as construction progresses: Phase 1: The southbound high-speed lane will be closed to traffic while crews complete milling and paving at both ends of that lane. The southbound travel lane will remain open across the temporary bridge, and both the southbound on-ramp and off-ramp will remain open. Phase 2: The southbound high-speed lane will be opened to traffic across the new bridge. The southbound travel lane and the Exit 185 southbound off-ramp will be closed while crews complete excavation, milling, and paving at the north end of the travel lane and ramp. Phase 3: The southbound high-speed lane will remain open to traffic across the new bridge, and the southbound travel lane will remain closed. The Exit 185 southbound off-ramp will reopen. The southbound on-ramp may close, if necessary, while crews complete excavation, milling, and paving at the south end of the travel lane and ramp. Phase 4: The southbound travel lane will be opened to traffic across the new bridge. The southbound high-speed lane and off-ramp will remain open, and the southbound on-ramp will be opened. During the Exit 185 southbound off-ramp closure, motorists should use Exit 186 for Stillwater Avenue. Drivers should then follow detour signs directing vehicles down Stillwater Avenue to Broadway. During the Exit 185 southbound on-ramp closure, motorists should follow detour signs directing vehicles down Broadway to Stillwater Avenue to access I-95 at Exit 186. Message boards will be in place alerting drivers of the upcoming closures. MaineDOT appreciates the public’s patience and cooperation as crews complete this important infrastructure improvement.
MaineDOT Invites Public Input on Portland West Study at Upcoming Meetings
MaineDOT Invites Public Input on Portland West Study at Upcoming Meetings 9/10/2026 MaineDOT Invites Public Input on Portland West Study at Upcoming Meetings AUGUSTA – September 10, 2026 — The Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) will host two public engagement opportunities this month as part of the Portland West Study, an initiative focused on addressing longstanding transportation challenges in South Portland, Scarborough, Westbrook, and Gorham. The study brings together local leaders, stakeholders, community members, and transportation partners to examine congestion, safety, and multimodal transportation needs that have affected the region for decades. Public input will be essential in helping shape the study’s direction and identify potential solutions. Community members are encouraged to attend one of the upcoming meetings to learn more about the study, meet the project team, share feedback, identify concerns and priorities, and help guide future analysis. Drop-in Open House Tuesday, September 22, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM Gorham Municipal Center – Shaw Gym 75 South Street, Gorham, Maine 04038 Virtual Public Meeting Thursday, September 24, 2026, at 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM The virtual meeting will begin with a short presentation by the project team, including interactive exercises, and a Q&A session. Please pre-register here
MaineDOT Invites Public Input on Machias Environmental Impact Statement Process
MaineDOT Invites Public Input on Machias Environmental Impact Statement Process MACHIAS – September 22, 2026 — The Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) will host an in-person public hearing this month as part of the Machias Dike Bridge project regarding the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process. This will be the first formal public hearing of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process. The purpose of this hearing is to discuss the purpose and need for the project, alternatives being considered, potential environmental impacts, and for members of the public to ask questions and provide information that should be considered during the EIS process. In-Person Public Hearing Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at 6:00pm Machias Memorial High School Gymnasium 1 Bulldog Lane, Machias, ME 04654 Virtual Public Meeting Presentation An on-demand virtual public meeting presentation will also be available at any time beginning September 23 through October 31, 2026, and will allow the public to submit online comments and questions. More information and access to the online virtual public meeting is available at https://mainedot.info/machias-dike
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