Community – University Times

The Climate Crisis and the Spirit of ‘Dirigo’- Mainers do not shy away from catastrophe. Instead, they lead the charge against it.

“As Maine goes, so goes the nation.” People coined this phrase in the 1930s when they noticed that election results from Maine were an effective way of predicting the national outcome. Maine has been a leader in the United States since breaking from Massachusetts in 1820. As Kelley Bouchard wrote in the Portland Press Herald, “In the 1850s, Maine spearheaded the temperance or prohibition movement, was a leader in the fight against slavery and helped to form the fledgling Republican Party….” The state’s motto sums it up exactly: “Dirigo” is Latin for “to lead” or “to direct.” Maine is the first state to see sunlight in the morning. It literally leads the nation into each day.

In the Future, We’re ‘Sandwiched’

Are you part of what people call the “sandwich generation”? Do you give money to your grown children or your parents? Do you feel pulled in different directions when you take care of your family? The sandwich generation is people who must care for their adult family. This can be a hard job. But it can also be worth it.

Composting to Protect Maine’s Environment – Food waste threatens every part of Maine’s environment. Compost can defeat it.

How often do you think about decomposing plant matter? Mark King thinks about it a lot. King is an Organics Waste Specialist with the Division of Materials in the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Decomposing plant matter matters because it can cause much harm to the environment. It threatens the land, air and waterways in Maine and all over the country. King and many other Mainers are working to protect Maine from this threat.

Mainely Mexican – A Taste of the South Way Up North

Although the Presque Isle area isn’t renowned for its diverse selection of cultural dining, a select few establishments stand out from the crowd of chain restaurants. One of these restaurants is Mainely Mexican, located at 6 State Road. You can sample classic entrees such as enchiladas and chimichangas or their specialties like the Mexican spiced rib eye or the lobster taco. This restaurant offers a variety of Mexican dining that other places in the local area do not provide.

The Current Used Car Market Struggle

Trying to buy a used car in recent memory has been a nightmare. Problems began to arise during the pandemic. A mix between microchip shortages, supply chain mishaps and manufacturing woes, the used car market seemed like a good place to turn. As demand grew, prices soared, however.

Snow in the Owls Nest

Are you tired of playing with snow when it is below freezing? Do you wish to play in the snow and be warm? On Feb. 16, UMPI held an event where people were able come in and create their own snow globes. It went from 5 to 8 p.m. and was a one-time event. The snow globes were made with small jars, glitter, water, felt and plastic animals. All materials were provided for free. The Snow Globe event was open to all students.

Fort Fairfield Joins Maine Towns Struggling

Interim Town Manager Dan Foster returned to Fort Fairfield on Sept. 19, 2022. The town council hired him to help solve the town’s financial issues. These problems started in 2019/2020. There is now a plan in place to solve them.

The Return of the Sixth Man

Wieden Hall Reopens for UMPI Basketball Home Games

When the final buzzer sounded on Feb. 15, 2022, Wieden Gymnasium would not see action for another 11 months. In March, huge renovations began on Wieden Hall. This included a complete overhaul to the aging building’s roof. Constructed in 1960, the building was in major need for upgrades to meet the demand of UMPI athletics.

Autism and Early Detection

According to the CDC, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is estimated to affect 1 percent of the world’s population. The World Health Organization website shows that about one in every 100 children have Autism. Characteristics can be seen in early childhood. But there are many who do not get the diagnosis until adulthood. “Autism Parent Magazine” points out that children can be diagnosed as young as 2. However, most are not diagnosed until after the age of 4.

Back to the Past

The University of Maine at Presque Isle was honored on Thursday, Feb. 2, to have guest speaker and novelist Cathie Pelletier join us in the multipurpose room to read from her latest book “Northeaster: A Story of Courage and Survival in the Blizzard of 1952.” Cathie’s book is more than just a story about a storm. Cathie’s story captures the lives of several different people. Her work is creative nonfiction inspired by Maine people –who had experienced this nor’easter all those years ago—and the lives they lived. “The story is not just about them, or the storm or Maine. It’s about who they were as people,” she said.