Maine contains an estimated 17.5 million acres of forest land in 2015. The acreage of forest land has been quite stable since 1960, covering more than 89 percent of the State’s total land area. The number of live trees greater than 1 inch in diameter is approaching 24.4 billion trees. Total timberland estimates reveal the…
Great Diamond, home to Fort McKinley, is just northeast of its neighbor Little Diamond Island, linked only by a sandbar at low tide. The island has a limited network of roads, used primarily by golf carts and bicycles. Access is by about a half hour ferry ride from Portland Harbor, with two landing sites. Landing site…
Once bearing the name Hog Island, Little Diamond has overcome its past and has been a respectable community of the City of Portland for decades. Few people make it their year-round home, even though there are 50+ homes and cottages on the Island. A major reason is that the City turns off the water supply in…
Mushrooms and Fungi Mushrooms are fungi (plural of fungus), but not all fungi are mushrooms. There are about 99,000 fungi species, including yeasts, mildews, molds, and mushrooms. Some mushrooms a poisonous! Do not eat wild mushrooms unless you are certain they are safe. None of the mushrooms noted or referenced here have been vetted for…
The Cupsuptic River crosses under Route 16 to feed Cupsuptic Lake in the southern most portion of this township. A boat launch area is on the east bank of the Cupsuptic River near the bridge. Big-Falls is a waterfall in the northwest corner of the township on the Cupsuptic River. It is accessible from Route…
This township in Oxford County is the site of Upper Richardson Maine Public Reserved Land and miles of lake shore on Cupsuptic and Mooselookmeguntic lakes. Route 16 cuts a diagonal northeast-southwest swath through the township. West Richardson Pond is…
Final DRAFT 2018 Maine GOP Platform Maine Republican Party Platform Generations of Americans have valiantly fought to preserve the Republic, our freedoms, and the American way of life. We appreciate and honor the service of active duty and reserve military, veterans, fire fighters, law enforcement, first responders and EMTs, and all those who serve our state…
The Platform Preamble Our American democracy is a powerful and effective form of organization that strives to treat all with dignity and without discrimination, and functions for the betterment of the collective good. Maine Democrats believe that the foundation of a strong democracy is an educated and informed electorate. We believe that Americans…
Cross Lake Township, In Aroostook County is, not surprisingly, named for the long lake in its southwestern quarter. Maine Route 161 from Madawaska to Fort Kent slices diagonally across the township. Route 162 branches northeast along Long Lake to St. Agatha. Ouelette and Guerette are the two principal villages. The township is largely a rural…
Salem, in Franklin County, was first settled by Benjamin Heath, who cleared land in what was then a portion of Phillips, Maine in 1814. The following year, Heath returned with two other men, who cleared additional lots, and permanently settled with their families in 1816. By 1821…
Dr. Edith Marion Patch taught entomology at the University of Maine and served as director of entomology at the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station from 1903- 1937. Patch was the first woman to head a state agricultural experiment station department and was honored for her scholarship and educational leadership in 1930 by being elected president of…
As time and tides take their toll, physical remnants of Maine’s history disappear. Fires and intentional demolition, or simple abandonment clean the slate for the next generation. Luckily the Maine Historic Preservation Commission and Maine Preservation, along with local organizations, have protected properties destined for demolition. Unfortunately, many historic community icons have, nevertheless, been lost.…
Dr. Sylvester Gardiner was born in South Kingston, Rhode Island in 1707. He studied eight years in England and France. Returning to Boston he pursued a successful professional career. He established a store for the importation of drugs and acquired a fortune. Gardiner accumulated much real estate in Maine and became proprietor of one-twelfth part…
2005-2020 2015 Portland adopted a single-use shopping bag, and polystyrene bag, ban to encourage reuse and to reduce trash waste. Other municipalities have adopted this approach. 2016 President Barack Obama establishes Katahdin Wood and Waters as a National Monument. 2017 As result of a citizen initiated referendum, possessing and using 2.5 ounces of marijuana is now…
The Waterway was established in 1966 to preserve, protect, and enhance the natural beauty, character, and habitat of this unique area. It is a 92-mile-long ribbon of lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams winding through the heart of northern Maine’s vast commercial forests. For more than a century “The Allagash” has been praised and enjoyed as a…
This campground in Baxter State Park is the gateway to Baxter Peak via the Hunt Trail. It is a staging ground for Appalachian Trail through hikers as they end the 2,000+ mile trek from Springer Mountain in Georgia. All hikers must sign in noting their departure and return times. 12 lean-tos, 9 tent sites, and 3 group…
The campground and pond are located in township T3 R10 WELS. The 35-acre pond has a maximum depth of 26 feet and an average of 10 feet. The trail around the pond is about one mile. Daicey Pond had been known by that name since at least 1900. The pond was probably named after the…
Kidney Pond in Baxter State Park is a 95-acre lake, 33 feet at its deepest. Most of the campground’s cabins line the northwest shoreline. Cooking must be done outside the cabins with Coleman-style stoves on the porch, on picnic tables, or on outdoor fireplaces. All cabins may use the community fireplace located in the lawn area. Fire…
According to a 2017 study of all 50 states by US News, here is how Maine ranks on seven criteria and on an overall assessment of the combined measures. It ranks high on Crime (low rates) and Opportunity (see below). While in the middle regarding Education, and fair in Health Care,the state is below par…
Climate Trends In 2017 the University of Southern Maine, through USM Digital Commons, published “Casco Bay Climate Change Vulnerability Report.” It has been accessible at http://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1022&context=cbep-publications (accessed February 20, 2018). The following is a selection of its findings and conclusions. Temperature The Casco Bay region has experienced warmer summers; warmer winters; warmer waters; increased drought;…