Talk of the Towns | WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives

Producer/Host: Ron Beard, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Engineer: Amy Browne Program Topic: Conversation with Roxana Robinson about her new novel Sparta, telling the story of a young Iraq War marine veteran and his “homecoming” Key Discussion Points (list at least 3): a) Your new novel reflects on both the sending forth and the homecoming we provide for our young soldiers, invoking par...

Producer/Host: Ron Beard, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Engineer: Amy Browne Program Topic: Maine as Muse: inspiration for writers Key Discussion Points: a) In response to questions from Ron, each guest shares some background about their work and their writing… then each shares a published piece (saving the second piece to close to the end of the show) and shares “lightly”, any context...

Producer/Host: Ron Beard, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Engineer: Amy Browne Issue: Community concerns and opportunities Program Topic: The role of sustainability science in helping us weather the storms Key Discussion Points: a) What do we know about the effect of increased numbers and intensity of rain storms on Maine cities and towns and their businesses and residents? What is the s...

Producer/Host: Ron Beard, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Engineer: Amy Browne Issue: Community concerns and opportunities Program Topic: A Place at the Table—Responding to Hunger in our Midst Key Discussion Points: a) You have chosen to screen a recent documentary, A Place at the Table, to highlight the issue of hunger and inequality… how and why did that come about? b) What do we know...

Producer/Host: Ron Beard, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Engineer: Amy Browne Program Topic: Eating local from land and sea—creating a Maine Food Strategy Key Discussion Points]: a) What is a food system and how do seafood, including aquaculture products, and products from local farming fit into Maine’s food system? b) Are there differences and similarities between local seafood a...

Producer/Host: Ron Beard, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Engineer: Matt Murphy Program Topic: Protecting Water Quality as you work on your land Key Discussion Points: a) Environmental services: what “services” do our natural systems of land, trees, water provide in a healthy ecosystem, and how does that matter to humans? b) Why should we be concerned about erosion and other threats to w...

Producer/Host: Ron Beard, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Engineer: Amy Browne Issue: Community concerns and opportunities Program Topic: Preventing, Treating and supporting recovery from alcohol and drug addiction… at the Acadia Family Center Key Discussion Points (list at least 3): a) Overview of facts and persistent myths of drug and alcohol addiction b) Trends, what we know about our...

Producer/Host: Ron Beard, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Engineer: Amy Browne Issue: Community concerns and opportunities Program Topic: Sowing seeds of hope—the work of International Partners in Mission Key Discussion Points: a) Joe provides overview of organizational mission and current programs, using short stories to illustrate how guiding principles are alive in IPM programs and da...

Producer/Host: Ron Beard, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Engineer: Joel Mann Program Topic: Is it time for a closed fishing area in the Northeastern Gulf of Maine? Key Discussion Points (list at least 3): a) Thumbnail history of fish and fishing along Maine’s coast and Gulf of Maine Species, abundance, fishing methods, contribution to local communities and overall economy b)The notion o...

Producer/Host: Ron Beard, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Engineer: Amy Browne Issue: Community concerns and opportunities Program Topic: Programs and Partners of Maine Folklife Center Key Discussion Points: a) Thumbnail sketch of Maine Folklife Center — what does it do, how did it come to be, Sandy Ives role? b)Current description of your collections / archives: How are they organ...

Producer/Host: Ron Beard, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Engineer: Amy Browne Issue: Community concerns and opportunities Program Topic: Collaboration and Conservation: Stories from Maine and the Middle East Key Discussion Points: a) You have described yourself as “a serial collaborator”… what led you down that dark path? Trace some of the elements of your own path, (experiences from ch...

Producer/Host: Ron Beard, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Engineer: Amy Browne Program Topic: Co Housing Alive and Well in Maine Key Discussion Points: 1. What is the concept of co-housing? 2. What motivated you and others to create this option for folks in the Belfast area? 3. How would you describe your mission and long term vision? 4. What were some of the high points and challenges o...

Producer/Host: Ron Beard Engineer: Amy Browne Issue: Community concerns and opportunities Program Topic: Maine’s Own Organic Milk and Betting the Farm, a documentary film Key Discussion Points: a) Questions for Bill What is your own background and how did you become involved in MOOMilk? What is MOOMilk doing that is so rare and inspiring in today’s “economy as usual”—what is different about your b...

Host: Ron Beard, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Engineer: Amy Browne Issue: Community concerns and opportunities Program Topic: Someone’s in the Kitchen: New Life at Halcyon Grange Key Discussion Points: 1. Paint the scene- If we were to visit Halcyon Grange, on Route 15 North Blue Hill, on a typical program, who would we see, what would we hear? 2. What is the back story—history of Hal...

Host: Ron Beard, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Engineer: Joel Mann Program Topic: The Drover’s Journey Key Discussion Points: a) Who were drover’s and why were they important in Scottish History b) What motivated Joyce Gilbert and others to create a non-profit educational trust to bring teachers, artists, musicians, writers and scientists together to experience outdoor “journeys” and h...

Host: Ron Beard, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Engineer: Amy Browne Program Topic: A Midwife’s Letters from the “land of the children” an interview with Linda Robinson, Women’s Health Center, Bar Harbor and author of Sunday Morning, Shamwana Key Discussion Points: a) How did you come to seek a year with Host: Ron Beard, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Engineer: Amy Browne ? b...

Host: Ron Beard, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Engineer: Amy Browne Issue: Community concerns and opportunities Program Topic: Maine Sea Coast Mission and Musings on the Future of Downeast Maine Key Discussion Points: 1. What is Maine Sea Coast Mission— thumbnail sketch of history and current mission 2. What was your path and what attracted you about Maine Sea Coast Mission? 3. W...

Host: Ron Beard, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Engineer: Amy Browne Issue: Community concerns and opportunities Program Topic: Friends of Acadia and Youth Engagement Discussion Points: 1. For David… you have been at the helm for just a few months… and I presume you thought about both the organization and what you might contribute prior to your job interview… what would you like to shar...

Host: Ron Beard, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Engineer: Joel Mann Issue: Community concerns and opportunities Program Topic: The International Appalachian Trail—Maine to Morocco Key Discussion Points (list at least 3): a) What was Benton Mackaye’s concept of for the Appalachian Trail… how was it developed? Other highlights from the history of the AT, especially in Maine b) What led to...

Host: Ron Beard, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Engineer: Amy Browne Issue: Community concerns and opportunities Program Topic: Sustainable Harvest International—agroforestry education with small farmers in central America Key Discussion Points (list at least 3): a) Remind us of the mission of Sustainable Harvest International and where your work is focused b)What led you to found Susta...

Host: Ron Beard, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Engineer: Amy Browne Issue: Community concerns and opportunities Program Topic: Lobster and the Business of Lobstering Key Discussion Points: a) What is the “usual” market for lobster in Maine… what paths do Maine-caught lobster follow from the lobster boat to the plate? b)What is the “usual” season for lobsters… what is the difference bet...

Host: Ron Beard, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Engineer: Amy Browne Issue: Public investment in health research Program Topic: Maine Research Collaboration to Prevent Kidney Disease •How do kidneys function, why are they important to every day and long-term health? What happens to kidneys and their owners when they have kidney disease? What are the various contributors to kidney diseas...

Host: Ron Beard, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Engineer: Amy Browne Issue: Native American involvement in protecting key natural resource Program Topic: Wabnaki Basket Making and Maine’s Brown Ash Trees Key Discussion Points: ·What is the historical significance of baskets and basket making in Wabnaki Culture? ·What were early interactions between Wabnaki people and European settlers a...

Host: Natalie Springuel, University of Maine Sea Grant and Cooperative Extension Engineer: Amy Browne Issue: Community concerns and opportunities Program Topic: Fisheries Heritage and Downeast Fisheries Trail Key Discussion Points: a) What are some of the most significant changes you have seen in your lifetime or before in our fisheries? For example: salmon, lobster, herring, cod, alewives, clams...

Host: Paul Anderson, University of Maine Sea Grant Engineer: Joel Mann Issue: Marine resources development Program Topic: Sea Weed Aquaculture Key Discussion Points (list at least 3): a) History of Ocean Approved, Inc. producing cultured sea weed food products b)Seaweed Aquaculture – process, species, research and development c)Seaweed Products and market opportunities d)What is Integrated Multi-t...