Bruce M. Whittier Middle School teacher Erica Swenson, center, is surrounded by some of her students in her Poland classroom recently. (Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal) A few years ago, Bruce M. Whittier Middle School teacher Erica Swenson won a spot in the national Understanding Sacrifice program. through the program, she followed the life — and sacrifice […]
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Posted inOp-Eds, sj-web
For some, Christian ‘faith’ has little to do with Jesus
Today, we will discuss one of the most pressing threats to American Christianity. Meaning, of course, American Christians. Yes, that’s an overly broad statement. All those Christians whose faith requires them to live the Good News, to feed the hungry, to house the homeless, speak for the voiceless and welcome the stranger, surely do not […]
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Posted inDear Abby, sj-web
Family doesn't understand ediquette
DEAR ABBY: I belong to a family that doesn’t respond to RSVPs for weddings or wedding showers. They often arrive late, leave weddings early and sometimes don’t stay to eat at the reception even when it has been catered at a cost of $100 a person. My adult children always ask me to call my […]
Posted inOp-Eds, sj-web
Red America and blue America depend on each other; that's how it should be
By Charles Lane The Washington Post The red-blue, rural-urban dichotomy has solidified into a basic fact of American politics. The Democrats are now the party of diverse, urban areas, which also constitute the nation’s hubs of cutting-edge financial, technological, medical and entertainment activity. The Republicans, meanwhile, dominate “flyover country,” the ranches, farms and hamlets between […]
Posted inbPlus, sj-web
In verse: Maine places and people
Produced by Dennis Camire This week’s poem is by New Jersey transplant Jim Donnelly, who co-curates The Lowry’s Lodge Reading Series and who now resides in Westbrook. Newark By Jim Donnelly there was something in the poverty of that photo that touched her something that reared its way through the black and white […]
Posted inLetters, sj-web
Hamas' plan leads to misery
In his letter of May 17, Benjamin Keener suggests that the Palestinian protests in Gaza may have been in response to the relocation of the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, Israel’s capital. More likely is the fact that Hamas is using Israel’s right to self defense as a method of trying to turn the aggressor into […]
Posted inMark LaFlamme, sj-web
Talk of the town: What happens on the Tilt-a-Whirl stays on the Tilt-a-Whirl
Bring an umbrella Well, well. It appears that a giant Elvis Presley balloon will be floating over the Twin Cities come August. You know the kind of effect Presley has on the older ladies. It will be fun to watch them fling their undergarments at The King when he’s 500 feet overhead. It’s gonna be […]
Posted inOp-Eds, sj-web
Falling off a Cliff (Huxtable)
Bill Cosby has twice been the focus of a trend, possibly major each time. Once by design, once by personality defect. The importance of “The Cosby Show” (1984-92) cannot be overstated. It let us white Americans relate to a wildly successful black family, Heathcliff Huxtable, a father and obstetrician/gynecologist (irony noted), and Clair Huxtable, a […]
Posted inObituaries, sj-web
Funeral notices for Sunday, May 20
BEARDSLEY — Shelton Eugene, 89, died Sunday, May 6. The family will celebrate Shelton’s life with a graveside service at Lakeside Cemetery in Livermore on July 28 at 11 a.m. COVILLE — Julia Kathryn Orff, of Wilton, passed away Thursday, May 17. A celebration of life in Julia’s honor will be held at 1 p.m. […]
Posted inFuneral Services, sj-web
Susan Fitzpatrick
RUMFORD — Funeral services for Susan Fitzpatrick were held at noon on Saturday, May 19, at the Meader & Son Funeral Home, 3 Franklin St., Rumford, with the Rev. Jane C Rich officiating. Musical selections included “How Great Thou Art” and “The Lord’s Prayer.” Interment was in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Andover.