Charlie Urquhart, Press
Herald - Charlie Urquhart
teaches social studies at Richmond High School and is a member of the RSU 2
School Board representing Hallowell. He is a parent of two children in public
schools. The opinions expressed here are the writer’s own.
Maine’s Department of Education is simply not doing enough to support our students and teachers. In the Aug. 11 article “Latest test scores show Maine students are making slight, steady progress,” Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin repeatedly dismissed Maine’s low national ranking on standardized test scores. The attempt to distract from Maine’s poor educational track record over the last eight years is symptomatic of a Department of Education that has been asleep at the wheel.
When confronted with the data, the commissioner dismisses
the basic fact that too many of our students do not read at grade level. We can
all agree with Maine DOE’s own assertion that “Literacy… is the cornerstone of
all learning.” Makin said, “test scores were not a priority” for Mainers, but
as a teacher, parent and school board member, I can assure you kids’ ability to
read, write and do math is our number one priority. Ignoring the test results
does not change the fact that our students are not set up for success.
Press Herald - The town of Wells announced Thursday that staff recently discovered an original, handwritten transcription of the Declaration of Independence from 1776 while perusing historical records. The newly unearthed copy was recorded in the Wells Town Record Book by Town Clerk Nathaniel Wells in July 1776. The record book contains the handwritten document, as well as the original instructions ordered by the Massachusetts Council, which ordered that the declaration be recorded in the town’s official record book to “remain as a perpetual Memorial thereof.”
WalletHub - With Women’s Equality Day around the corner and the U.S. ranking just 43rd for gender equality worldwide, the personal-finance company WalletHub today released its report on the Best & Worst States for Women's Equality in 2026, as well as expert commentary, to determine where women receive the most equal treatment in American society.
WalletHub compared the 50 states across 17 key metrics. The data set ranges from the gap between female and male executives to the disparity in unemployment rates for women and men to the income gap.
Women’s Equality in Maine (1=Best; 25=Avg.):
Overall Rank: 4th
5th – Earnings Gap
27th – Executive Positions Gap
1st – Educational Attainment Gap (among Advanced Degree Holders)
26th – Minimum-Wage Workers Gap
1st – Unemployment Rate Gap
27th – Entrepreneurship Rate Gap
3rd – Political Representation Gap
 |
| Via Kristen Stevens, Peaks Island |
Freeport Farmers Market - Saturdays now through October: Through October 8:30am – 12:30pm at the BTLT Saturday Farmers Market at Crystal Spring Farm. 277 Pleasant Hill Road, Brunswick. The Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust. Farmers Market was established in 1999 to advance the Land Trust’s mission of supporting local agriculture. With over forty vendors, many of whom have been with the Market since its inception, the Saturday morning market offers a variety of local, fresh produce
AUG 19
Concert in the Woods with the MacBeth Concert Series 4PM
- 5:30PM 49 Littlefield Road, Chebeague Island, ME. An afternoon of
music in Littlefield Woods on Chebeague Island, presented by the Chebeague
& Cumberland Land Trust and the MacBeth Concert Series. Check the event
website for the most up-to-date info.
AUG 21
Join Freeport Speech for a special evening featuring Emmy-winning comedy writer Lew Schneider (Everybody Loves Raymond, The Goldbergs) in conversation with local educator and producer Brett Pierce as they discuss how Lew learned to make people laugh and evolved to keep people laughing over a 40-year career. Where: Kresge Auditorium, Bowdoin College, 239 Maine St, Brunswick, ME Cost: $20 general, $10 students (proceeds benefit Meetinghouse Arts) Get your Tickets now. For more information, visit FreeportSpeech.org
NOV 7
Twin Keys: A Love Story: Thomas Wolf with Jessica Chow Shinn and Michael Shinn, duo-pianists 2 PM Crewe Center for the Arts