QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Haiku seems like a very serious, sacred form of poetry, but this is a really energetic and fun way to experience poetry and to not take it quite so seriously.”

— Maya Stein, Belfast’s poet laureate, on the city’s haiku death match as part of this weekend’s Belfast Poetry Festival. 

TODAY’S TOP MAINE STORIES

Tricia Costigan stepped down from her role as president of Northern Light health care facilities in Hancock County on Thursday. This comes after Northern Light EMMC president Gregory LaFrancois stepped down Wednesday. Northern Light Health has struggled with debt and staffing shortages since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shenna Bellows is one of many election officials who are urging voters to return their absentee ballots as soon as possible. After speaking with Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, Bellows said she believes the Postal Service would work to ensure speedy ballot returns.

More passengers are taking the ferry from Bar Harbor to Nova Scotia. The Nova Scotian government, which subsidizes the service, plans to continue providing operating funds for the ferry in 2025 and 2026.

This western Maine house offers some lavish amenities, including its own runway. The  1,200-square-foot home being sold with the property is structurally sound but has been called a “fixer-upper.”

NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE

MAINE IN PICTURES

A sign urging Bar Harbor residents to vote against a town proposal to loosen local cruise ship restrictions, which were enacted by a citizen initiative in 2022, stands by Route 102 in the local village of Town Hill on Wednesday. Another sign urging voters to support the town’s proposal stands behind it. Credit: Bill Trotter / BDN

THE BDN NEWS QUIZ

News quiz photo illustration by Leela Stockley

It’s Friday, and that means it’s time for this week’s BDN News Quiz. Did you know that Maine lost a world record title last month (and possibly lost a bit of pride as well)? Which big Maine energy supplier has to pay up to its customers? See how much you remember from the news of the week by taking the quiz.

FROM THE OPINION PAGES

This version of the Maine state flag designed by Adam Lemire of Gardiner will be voted on by Mainers this November. Credit: Courtesy of the Maine secretary of state's office

“Popularity itself is not enough reason to change the flag, but in this case we think all those people snapping up merchandise emblazoned with the pine tree flag are sending a message: The pine tree flag is a better representation of our great state than its current, nondescript flag.”

Editorial: Yes on Question 5 for a more distinctive symbol of the Pine Tree State

LIFE IN MAINE

Belfast’s haiku death match will prove that the pen is indeed mightier than the sword. Competitors will be paired off and then allotted four minutes to write and finish their haikus using keywords shouted out by the audience.

Maine has a lot going for it when it comes to paddling. But it’s what other places lack that makes a paddling trip outside the state refreshing and pleasant.