Issue 16
Friday, July 25, 2025
Some of the articles linked below require subscriptions to local Maine newspapers. Read my take on these paywalls here.
Quote of the week
“Empathy is dangerous to authoritarians, because when people care about each other, they are harder to control.”
— Lauren Lehman Carter
@laurenlehmancarter
[Alternate quote: “Go fuck yourself". — Stephen Colbert to Donald J. Trump]
The Dark
Here are a few hard truths this week — but remember we’re in this together!
Cumberland County continues its relationship with ICE despite persistent and continued calls from citizens to abandon its contract. Trump’s bullshit spending bill allocates $170 billion to various immigrant detention/kidnapping efforts over the next several years. It’s hard to make an apples to apples comparison of this increase but just for reference, ICE previously had an annual operating budget of $8 billion. Trump’s bill could change our world dramatically and learning from Cumberland will be important as ICE makes efforts to expand into Western Maine.
Remember how we celebrated Maine’s only medical school as it announced a move into a new location? Now the University of New England shares concerns about recruitment as Trump’s budget caps lifetime student loans at $200,000, which is $100k short of the average med student’s debt. Why forgive student loans when you can just prevent folks from taking them out, ultimately gatekeeping who can enter the field forevermore? *SCREAMS*
Climate change is real bad and getting worse. Here in Maine, data show that temps are rising along with humidity. This has fun ripple effects like creating more habitat for ticks that carry lyme disease. WOOT! In the mood to dive deeper? Check out the 2024 update to the “Scientific Assessment of Climate Change and Its Effects in Maine” here.
The Light
Yes, good things are happening — here’s proof!
The Maine Department of Education has issued guidance for schools surrounding AI (check it out here!). In a different, but very related vein, Finland teaches media literacy in schools in an effort to “promote the kind of skills that will enable people to think and act critically and be active members of a democratic society.” Maybe there’s something here we can learn from?
Buck’s Ledge Trail for All will be opening soon! Check out these photos from the first walk through!
Maine Philanthropy Center (MPC) launches Readiness and Response Fund. This fund offers financial resources and support to help Maine nonprofits prepare for and respond to loss of federal funding, cuts to social programs, and targeted harassment of marginalized communities.
Shania Twain and her charitable foundation have donated $25,000 to the Good Shepherd Food Bank, which will provide 50,000 meals. We’re impressed!
Your Maine Action Kit
Pick one and then dive into a book.
Champion a community construction project. Maine Passive is looking for future community projects, done at a reduced mark-up rate. Let your friends and community members know that they can submit ideas here.
Take this survey so that the Bethel Library and the West Bethel Maker Space can stock the coming tool library with the things folks actually need.
Run for local office. Seriously, start thinking about it. School board, select board, state rep or senator—someone’s gotta do it. Why not you? More details to come.
Check for ticks. And if you find one attached to a loved one? Consult your doctor while you wait on test results from the University of Maine Cooperative Extension: Tick Lab.
Have energy and anxiety to burn? Check out the Action Kit Archive here, for more ideas! Another option? Reply to this email and let us know what issues you want to mobilize around. We are connected with organizations who are looking for people power!
For when it all feels like too much
Doodle. Head to Norway Brewing on July 31 for Sip & Sketch to connect with fellow creatives (adults only).
Swim. We are surrounded by swimming holes! Find a new spot and listen to the sound of the water: waves lapping, or a brook babbling. Do you feel a little more relaxed and recharged? Here are a few ideas about why we feel better after some time near water- what do you think?
Read. A friend of a friend compiled an anthology of life-affirming poetry to reference during dark times. Learn more about artist Dio Cramer here.
Adopt a trail. Inland Woods and Trails wants your help to keep their extensive trail network in prime shape. Put in 10 hours and rumor has it that you get a special tee featuring Piney McPinecone.
Donate. The Bethel Rotary’s annual yard sale is coming up (August 5-11) and they want your stuff.
Check this out! Photographer Faith Robbins documented the production of local filmmaker Rob Banish’s new film “Coffee”.
Mark your calendar
See an ever evolving list of community events on The Kindling’s calendar here. Subscribe to our google calendar while you’re there!
Friday - Monday: Check out a movie at The Gem theater
Saturday, July 26: Bethel Farmer’s Market (9am-1pm) (see hours for other area farmer’s markets on our event page)
Sunday, July 27: “Foraging Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms” at Valentine Farm (9am-3pm)
Tuesday, July 29: “Trace Fossils” at The Bethel Library through the Summer Earth Science Sessions (3pm-4pm)
Wednesday July 30: Children’s Storytime at The Bethel Library (10am)
Wednesday July 30: The Mahoosuc Land Trust Book Club will be discussing Ministry for the Future at Valentine Farm. (6pm)
Friday, August 1: BAAM at The Gem presents Little Wings (7:30pm)
Sunday, August 3: OUT In the Park at Valentine Farm with OUT Maine, Mahoosuc Land Trust, Village Blues, and the Gemini (11am-1pm) Register here!
Sunday, August 3: Indigo Harvest Festival at Valentine Farm (10am-3pm)
Help!
The Kindling is at its best when contributions are coming from you. Let us know what we should include in the next issue by responding to this email or making a newsletter submission here.
On a totally personal note: I left my orange Yeti coffee tumbler around town a few weeks ago. It’s covered in stickers and I don’t know what to do without it. Have you seen it?
Til next week,
Michelle and The Kindling Crew
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