Ryan Spencer Reporting in Maine

University of Maine Woodsmen Host Home Meet

2010-04-15T12:54:00.007-04:00

Ryan Spencer

April 15, 2010

ORONO, MAINE - Saturday March 27, the University of Maine Woodsmen team hosted the yearly home meet. Teams from the University of New Hampshire and Unity Collegecame to compete against the UMaine Men's and Women's teams.

The teams compete in a variety of woods related events. The events are based on how lumberjacks used to cut wood. Overall at the competition The University of Maine Men's team A finished in first place with the B team finishing in second place, University of New Hampshire's first team finished in third place. For the women's competitions UMaine finished in first place, Unity finished in second place and UNH finished in third place.

Some of the competitions that the UMaine teams placed first in were single buck, ax throw, fire build, pulp pit and cross cut. The meet went from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and took place on the field near York Village.

University of Maine alumni team members were also present to compete in some events for fun. Alumi Matthew Galambos demonstrated how to do a standing block cut. Alumni also competed in underhand cut and fire build.

Fire build was the final event of the day which is a team event made up of two people. The object is to build a fire and to be the first team to make a can of water boil. UMaine men's team finished first with this event and the women's team also did.

The team will next compete at Paul Smith College in New York on April 24. The meet at Paul Smith will be the final meet of the year for the team.

Mark Feeney visits University of Maine

2010-04-02T16:48:00.004-04:00

Ryan Spencer

April 2, 2010

ORONO, MAINE - On Thursday April 1, Boston Globe Arts writer Mark Feeney spoke at the University of Maine as the Alan Miller guest journalist. Feeney spoke on a range of topics from his recent book to the internet’s impact on culture journalism.

Feeney won the Pulitzer for criticism in 2008 for his work at the Boston Globe. In 2004 Feeney wrote the book Nixon at the Movies: a Book about Belief. In the book Feeney looks at how the President Nixon was inspired by and also inspired Hollywood.

Feeney visited the University as the second Alan Miller guest journalist. The fund was set up in memory of the late University of Maine Journalism professor who believed students should get the opportunity to learn from a journalist in the field.

A reception was held for Feeney at the Buchanan Alumni House. Communication and Journalism Paul Grosswiler introduced the Alan Miller Vistiting Journalist Program and Feeney. Professor Grosswiler was pleased to announce that Mobile Maine News was there to cover the speech.

Journalism Professor Michael Socolow spoke next about organizing the event and Feeney's work. Professor Socolow spoke about Feeney's book Nixon at the Movies and some of the famous names that have inspired Feeney and his work.

Nixon at the Movies took Feeney ten years to write. He told the audience that he got the idea for the book while talking to a friend of his shortly after President Nixon died. Feeney told his friend, " you should write a book about Nixon and film." His friend told Feeney, "No you should." That began the process for Feeney's first book.

When asked if he would write a second book, Feeney stated that first he needed an idea before he could begin planning another book. He also encouraged the audience to share any book ideas that they had with him after he was done speaking.

Feeney also spent time discussing the internets impact on journalism, often stating that his own age has left him slightly out of the loop in the push towards the internet age.

Feeney offered advice to students in attendance saying that often luck is one of the most important aspects in becoming a successful journalist. Persistence is another quality that Feeney told students was important to becoming a journalist. He also said that ability is necessary but often hard to determine at a young age.

Feeney graduated from Harvard University in 1979. He got started at the Boston Globe in the Globe's library and moved up from there. He became involved in the arts department and has worked as a culture critic. Feeney is also a professor at Brandeis University in Massachusetts.

After his speech University of Maine student Sam Danis interviewed Mark Feeney about his book and his work at the Boston Globe.

Deer Living Amongst the People on Marsh Island

2010-03-26T15:23:00.003-04:00

ORONO, MAINE -- Orono is not only home to college students, but also to a large deer population. The town is set up as a no-hunt zone, causing the local deer to not be afraid of humans. It is common to see deer standing in neighborhood yards eating grass.

The deer frequently cross the road without worrying about traffic. Orono Police Captain Josh Ewing says this has not caused as many traffic accidents as one would expect, as there were only nine reported car accidents involving deer in 2008. That number more than doubled in 2009, when there were twenty deer-related car accidents, but so far in 2010 there have only been two reports.

Captain Ewing speculates that one reason for these low numbers is the dramatic difference in traffic from May to September when University of Maine students leave for summer break. The deer are most active in the area during this time.

Captain Ewing stressed the need for drivers to be mindful of the deer population to avoid further accidents.

The Digital Bangor Daily News

2010-02-10T19:36:00.010-05:00

The profession of journalism is changing. Newspapers around the country are adopting stronger internet bases and this is in order to reach more people in a timelier manner.

Newspapers in Maine are no different. This includes the Bangor Daily News which has its own webpage to provide quick news coverage. The Bangor Daily News also has a Twitter and Facebook account. Maineville can also be found on Facebook. The bangor Daily News also has a Youtube account where news stories can be watched.

This move towards embracing new media has caused new jobs to be created in journalism. Eryk Salvaggio is an example of this. He works at the Bangor Daily News as part of the new media department.

The Bangor Daily News has six different people in their new media department. There are two assistants, two coders and two managers. All of the new media department also has other responsibilities in the newspaper.

Salvaggio’s job is to post stories from the newspaper to the website. He needs to update the stories that are on the front page of the website regularly. He is also responsible for monitoring the comments that people post to news stories.

The ability to post news stories can be both positive and negative for the public discussion. Posts must be edited for lies, libel, obvious promotion and general profanity.

The Bangor Daily News also aims to have a civil community on its webpage. Posts will be edited for antagonistic comments, but they do not enforce this as rigidly to promote healthy discussions.

The newspaper is legally only responsible to take content down if it has been complained about.

The Bangor Daily News is looking for ways to facilitate debate on its website and still reward the more relevant posts by readers. One idea that Salvaggio said is being considered is moving a user post to the top if it is the most useful to readers.

This plan would move the most relevant stuff to the top and provide more information to a news story. The plan would also give the people who want to argue a place to do it further down on the webpage.

Twitter is used to post the headline of breaking news and provide a link to the story on the website. This allows the newspaper to quickly reach the 1,250 followers. The Facebook page provides a similar purpose, linking to the main website with headlines and descriptions of the stories.

Salvaggio speculates that print journalism will stay around for longer than people expect but that newspapers will have to reconsider their business model. He also anticipates that the future of journalism is to become much more immediate and that because of the internet reporting itself will change.

Salvaggio also anticipates problems with the fact delivery model that is being used with Twitter. He states that with just facts the reader is unable to get the real context of the story.

My Clip Reel

2009-12-11T14:56:00.002-05:00

Vernal Pool Mapping in Maine

2009-12-11T14:06:00.004-05:00

At the University of Maine Professor Aram Calhoun has been working with several towns in the state to map out the vernal pools in their communities.

Vernal pools are a part of forest wetlands and where many forest amphibians breed during the springtime. Fairy shrimp, woods frogs and salamanders call the vernal pools home.

Vernal Pools in Orono, Maine

2009-11-24T10:50:00.003-05:00

Vernal pools are stagnant bodies of water located in the forests. These bodies of water dry up in the summertime after amphibians breed there in the spring time. In Maine there are zoning regulations regarding development of land with a vernal pool.

Why I want to be a journalist

2009-11-09T22:20:00.012-05:00

Right now I have frequently heard the question “What do you want to do when you graduate?” Honestly it can be a tough question to answer but I am slowly working on some plans narrowing down what I like best about this field. The question that we as college students never really is hear why do we want to do what we are going to school for, in my case journalism.

The easy answer and obvious one is clearly, because I like doing it and I find journalism to be enjoyable. There is definitely a lot more to it than just that though. I think that the media is extremely important in today’s digital age. We are surrounded by news outlets everywhere and I really want to be a part of the creation of these news stories. Without the news the people of our country would be in the dark about what is going on around them, so the media does a valuable service for them.

Like many people my age my interest in journalism began with having an interest in sports journalism, especially ESPN. Over time I have learned the value of creating other types of news stories. I took up a minor in political science to pair with journalism. It made a lot of sense to me because politics and journalism are very important to each other. I think that just as much as I would enjoy being a Boston Red Sox beat writer or writing movie reviews or pop culture pieces for The Rolling Stone, I would also really enjoy covering politics here in the United States and possibly the rest of the world.

Also two of my favorite journalists to read on a regular basis is ESPN's The Sports Guy and Chuck Klosterman who frequently writes for Spin and Esquire magazines. What I have always enjoyed most about both of them is how well they mix pop culture into their stories. That is a skill that I would really like to develop in my own writing.

This is certainly a very difficult time to try and get into the field of journalism, especially with the way that the economy is currently affecting the media. I feel though that we have a lot of options with all the different areas that broadcast journalism covers. Certainly the obvious choices are work in radio and television and there are so many different stations out there.

I also see journalism as a career with an opportunity to make a difference in the world. There are not many professions that serve such an important function around the whole world. I understand that it is difficult to gain the lofty positions of importance in the media like a Dan Rather, but even the smallest news stories are important to people when they read the paper. This semester covering Orono has shown me that even the smallest towns have something of value to their community. I like the idea of making people aware of what they were previously not aware of in their town. Certainly one of my favorite parts of journalism is the actual interview; I find it fascinating to talk with people and learn what they have to share with the world. I think that it is amazing how sometimes you can dig out an interesting angle for a story from where the interview goes. The interview I did with Orono Assistant Town Manager Maria Weinberger is a good example of that. I found an interesting program that she is a part of in the town of Orono called Storm Water.

I see journalism as an oppurtunity to do more in the world than simply working for ESPN. It would be great to sit at the Sportscenter desk with Scott Van Pelt or Stu Scott, but it would also be great to be doing many other things as a journalist. I think that the world is a changing place and journalism is a very important part of these changes that are happening. When we graduate we will have an oppurtunity to be a part of these cahnges. After all this though, I still find it a little difficult to articulate exactly why it is that I want to work in journalism. I do know that I am very excited to find my niche of where I belong in the media.

I would like to end with a historical sports call, the kind that becomes part of our cultural landscape to show the value of sports journalism.
"Do you believe in Miracles?"

Orono Town Council Meeting

2009-10-21T11:15:00.007-04:00

Monday night October 19, the Orono Town Council meet for its monthly meeting. State Representative Jim Martin was there to give a presentation on the impacts of the Excise Tax Referendum and TABOR II.

In his presentation Martin said that both referendums on this years ballot will have a negative effect on the state's economy. He compared the TABOR II program to the one that has been in effect in Colorado since 1992. Martin said that TABOR has also been tried in many other states but it has only passed in Colorado. Martin describes Tabor as the reason that Colorado has had economic problems and is now fiftieth in the nation for teacher salaries.

TABOR II is question 4 on the November Maine ballot. If the bill passed it would create a formula that would limit state spending unless a vote was held where the people passed a new budget. Martin explained that the extra elections would cost every town in Maine just to hold them.

Maine voted down a similar bill in 2006 called the Maine Taxpayer Bill of Rights.

The Town Council did not discuss Question 2, the automobile excise tax cut as heavily.

Orono Town Manager Cathy Conlow also presented on how the two proposed bills would affect the town of Orono. Conlow specifically talks about how the excise tax cut would affect the amount of money the town receives.

After the presentations the town council passed resolutions Order 09-171 and Order 09-172. These two resolutions stated the town of Orono’s opposition to questions 2 and 4 on the November ballot.

The Town Council passed the two resolutions unanimously.

Several victualer’s licenses were renewed for the town of Orono. These businesses included Bell’s IGA, China Garden, Dirigo Pines Inn, Thai Orchid.

The Town Council set the polling locations for the November third referendum election. The locations will be Birch Street School Senior Center, University Memorial Union all purpose room and the Orono Council Chambers. The polling locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The town council also approved $6,927 for the cooperative purchase of Tanker 6 with the City of Bangor Fire Department.

Black Bear Brewery

2009-10-08T16:05:00.004-04:00

Black Bear Brewery is a local micro-brew located in downtown Orono at 19 Mill Street Suite 4. Black Bear Brewery works with other local businesses to get their distribution.

Beer from the brewery can be found on tap locally at 103 Ultra Lounge, The Bear Brew Pub and Woodman's. The beer is also distributed to Bar Harbor. Growlers of the beer is available at the brewery and at Burby and Bates in Orono.

Black Beer Brewery is a small operation, run by owner Timothy Gallon and one other employee.

In the video Gallon is moving a batch of the Voodoo Porter to begin cooling. It will be another two and a half weeks before this batch is ready to be shipped.

Beginning in November a winter seasonal Stout will become available. In the summer a Blueberry Ale seasonal is available.

Orono Reacts to the Distracted Driver Law

2009-09-30T18:06:00.003-04:00

In Orono many citizens have varying opinions about Maine’s new distracted driver law.

The intention of the law is to make the roads safer and to keep people’s attention on their driving, not on other things. Statistics show that cell phones cause a lot of motor vehicle accidents. Maine is also one of many states now taking action in trying to prevent these accidents by banning cell phone use.

California, Connecticut, New Jersey, Washington, New York and Michigan already have bans on handheld devices while driving.

Maine’s law went into effect recently and many Maine residents are not yet familiar with it and how it affects their lives. The law in Maine is set up not only to ban cell phones but any major distraction that the driver engages in. This can include applying makeup, reading the paper or using a cell phone.

The law is designed to be an additional fine to any driving infraction if the officer can find that the driver suffered from a distraction. This law makes distracted driving a secondary violation.

Cell phone use is the most common of all of these distractions and what comes to mind first for most Maine residents. In Orono a lot of people expressed concern that cell phone use really is causing a danger on the roads and can understand why this law was put into effect.

Some Orono residents also admit that they frequently use their cell phones while they drive. They also say that it would be difficult for them to stop using their cell phones while they are driving their cars.

Other residents of Orono do not think that this law is necessary and that cell phone use is not really that dangerous. They also say that this law will not stop them from using their cell phones while they are driving.

Whether Orono residents agree with this new law or not, they will all have to live with it and adjust their driving habits.

Distracted Drivers in Orono

2009-09-29T11:43:00.002-04:00

On September twelfth several new laws went into effect in the state of Maine. One of these new laws was the Distracted Driver law. This is a secondary violation law where the driver has to be stopped for another offense to be written up for this.

The new law bans any sort of act that could distract the driver from paying attention to the roads. These distractions can include using a cell phone, putting on makeup or reading the paper.

A driver that is observed to be driving erratically can now receive an extra fine for using electronic devices like a cell phone. Other states like California and Connecticut already have a similar law banning cell phone use while driving.

Sergeant Scott Scripture of the Orono Police department describes this as a law set up to protect people from unnecessary accidents. Sergeant Scripture says that a lot of accidents in the town are caused by people using their cell phone and not paying attention then rear ending the person in front of them.

Sergeant Scripture talks about how the University of Maine affects driving in the community.

In order to determine whether a cell phone caused a person to drive erratically the police mostly use observations of the driver. Also witnesses will often be able to tell the police that the driver of the vehicle was on their cell phone. The police will also conduct an accident investigation and can discover that the driver was suing their phone at the time of the accident.

Sergeant Scripture hopes that this new law makes people think twice about what they do while they are driving.

Many people in the community see this as a good measure to try and make the roads a safer place. Assistant town manager Maria Weinberger says that this is an important law and hope that it is effective here like it was in other states.

Orono residents also hope that this new law can help make the roads safer for them and everyone else. Yet many residents also admit to using their phones while driving even though they are aware that it can be dangerous.

Orono resident Camas Sader talks about knowing the dangers and statistics of cell phone use while driving.

People will still be able to use their phones while driving if they change to a hands free headset. This option gives people who need to use their phone for business or other reasons the ability to still do so and not be a danger to people around them.

Storm Water Program in Orono

2009-09-29T10:43:00.002-04:00

Orono assistant town manager Maria Weinberger has a lot of responsibilities in the town. As the assistant town manager her main function is to provide human resources and labor relation support to town manager Cathy Conlow. Along with her work as the assistant manager she also serves as the area welfare director, the area health coordinator and the Orono representative on the MS4 storm water education program.

The MS4 storm water program is designed to educate members on the community about what they are putting into the water. This program is part of a national mandate called The Clean Water Act.

As part of this program the Orono public works department has stenciled area storm drains to say drains directly to river no dumping.

Parks Hardware is also working in conjunction with the program to help educate people about safe chemicals they can use to treat their lawns.

There has also been a lot of participation each year with the stream cleanup. Where area residents get together and clean up the stream beds and river banks. This year about a hundred residents and town officials got together to clean up the Stillwater River.

Maria talks about how this program is important in teaching people to think before they dispose of their garbage.

H1N1 in Orono Maine

2009-09-16T19:31:00.005-04:00

Orono, Maine is concerned with the H1N1 Virus much like many other communities in the country. The virus could potentially affect this small community much greater than other towns in Maine. Along with its local school system, School Union 87, Orono also has to consider the viruses effect on the University of Maine.

Assistant Town Manager Maria Weinberger is instrumental in the planning for taking care of the citizens of Orono. Weinberger also serves as the town’s local Health Officer. Her role makes her key in dealing with any H1N1 Virus issues in the community. The town is planning a day for influenza vaccination.

Weinberger warns that when the H1N1 Virus Vaccination is available that people should couple it with the standard influenza vaccination. People currently expect a cure for the H1N1 Virus but that is not yet available. Town management in Orono can only pass along the information that they get from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and they take cues on how to deal with the virus from the federal government. The local fire department is the first respondents for an outbreak and has been training on how to contain the virus.

Orono and its school system are working together to vaccinate the students against the influenza. Orono High School Athletic Director Mike Archer talks about what is being done for the students.

Archer also says that there is no shutdown plan for an H1N1 Virus outbreak. The only current plan is to keep any students with the flu at their homes. The Orono school system is hoping that if there is a breakout that containment will be the best course of action as it is not feasible to completely shut down the schools. The hope is that H1N1 does not affect any of the athletic seasons in the state. Archer talks about how students are safe playing sports.

According to Weinberger even once the vaccination is actually available it cannot protect people from themselves. She stresses the need to constantly wash your hands and protect yourself and others from germs.

Information on the virus is also constantly changing. The definition of when the Virus is still contagious has changed several times. Now it is believed that the virus is no longer contagious after coughing has stopped, which usually takes a week or more. Originally it was thought that the virus was no longer contagious after the fever has subdued, which was generally after two to three days.

There have not yet been any reported incidents of the virus in Orono, Maine.

Orono High School Football 9/11/09

2009-09-14T14:48:00.000-04:00

The Orono Red Riots defeated the Old Town Coyotes Friday night. The score was Orono 33 Old Town 14

here are a few highlights from the game