... I remember the day, trying to process what had happened. I remember flying shortly afterwards and how empty planes still were, and how wary people in the airports seemed. A dear friend told me these were going to be “strange times." Our newsroom is looking back on coverage from the following day, September 12, as we started to get a clearer picture of how events unfolded in Portland. It’s riveting coverage. You can hear parts of it this evening on All Things Considered, along with other remembrances we’ve collected from people affected by the events.

I’m mindful also, that this is still an emotionally raw event for many, and that these anniversaries can be draining. Too much and oversaturated coverage. In that vein, we’ve tried to have a mix of stories in this week’s newsletter, including first person accounts, and angles rippling out from there.

We’ve got a fascinating look at prison food in Maine and efforts to improve it, a profile of Maine’s new poet laureate, and reflections on ambition and what it means during this drawn out pandemic.

Plus, what would your world look like if everyone took psychedelic drugs? We’ve got a story for that.

My closeout thought is not from the public media sphere, but from the New York Times. It’s an excellent encapsulation of the artist Enya and what her work stands for, and why it has such a wide appeal. It might be the healthy tune out you need to get your “Orinoco Flow” going, or “Caribbean Blue” on.

 

Dig those synths!