Tag: Shannon Lugdon

Writers Without Margins Gives Four Ex-Cons a Voice

Creative writing positively benefits mental and physical health. Writers Without Margins is a non-profit organization “dedicated to the fusion of art and advocacy…” especially for those “isolated by the challenges of addiction recovery, trauma, poverty, disability and mental illness.” Recently, Writers Without Margins joined forces with Wahl St. Productions to create a film called “In Their Shoes.” The film tells the stories of Zach, Stephen, Jean and Marcel. These four men tell their own stories, in their own words, about their participation in a “prison re-entry and addiction recovery creative writing program.” Continue reading “Writers Without Margins Gives Four Ex-Cons a Voice”

Pett and Meeko Take Third Place at the Can-Am Crown

Meeko and one of her dog friends.

The crowd gathered, stretched and squinted to see who was coming through the trees to claim third place in the Can-Am 250. Abi Pett and her team charged across the finish line to a mixed reception Monday morning. Family and friends were cheering. They came quickly to unhook the team and congratulate Pett. Others turned away muttering. Pett finished behind Martin Massicotte and Andre Longchamps with a time of 28 hours, 19 minutes and 45 seconds. Third place of the Can-Am comes with a $2,500 purse. There are some who feel Pett and her team should not be eligible for the prize money. Pett’s lead dog was a cat named Meeko. Continue reading “Pett and Meeko Take Third Place at the Can-Am Crown”

Old Farmer’s Almanac, Snowfall and Floodwaters

Looking down into the flooded basement storage area.

On August 26, 2018, the “Old Farmer’s Almanac” predicted “arctic air, blustery, bitter winds, sharp drops in temperatures, and widespread snow showers and squalls” for winter 2018-19.  “Above-normal snowfall is predicted for the Great Lakes states, Midwest, and central and northern New England.” Northern Maine is doing its part to validate the “Old Farmer’s Almanac’”s predictions this winter. Continue reading “Old Farmer’s Almanac, Snowfall and Floodwaters”

Storytelling Without Words

Images of tragedy, celebration, immigration, natural disaster, violence, compassion, refugees, the old and the young, death and life are found among Pulitzer Prize winning photos. These photos tell stories without any words. “Everything has a story about it, you just have to be able to see it,” Jerry Gay said in “The Pulitzer Photographs: A Glimpse of Life” Continue reading “Storytelling Without Words”