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Producer/Hosts: Ron Beard and Liz Graves College of the Atlantic provides help with production. Engineering by Joel Mann of WERU Community Radio. Theme music for Talk of the Towns Theme is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Highland Music recording. Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: What is College of the Atlantic’s focus on human ecology and its approach to education? What are the results of a recent study of College of the Atlantic’s contribution to the regional economy and cultural landscape? How has College of the Atlantic benefited from an ongoing relationship with United World Colleges and it’s scholarships for international students? What has led to the success of College of the Atlantic’s decade long Summer Institute? How is College of the Atlantic responding to challenges facing higher education, including the shrinking number of traditionally-aged college students? Guest/s: Dr. Sylvia Torti, President, College of the Atlantic FMI: www.coa.edu About the hosts: Ron Beard is producer and host of Talk of the Towns, which first aired on WERU in 1993 as part of his community building work as an Extension professor with University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Sea Grant. He took all the journalism courses he could fit in while an undergraduate student in wildlife management and served as an intern with Maine Public Television nightly newscast in the early 1970s. Ron is an adjunct faculty member at College of the Atlantic, teaching courses on community development. Ron served on the Bar Harbor Town Council for six years and is currently board chair for the Jesup Memorial Library in Bar Harbor, where he has lived since 1975. Look for him on the Allagash River in June, and whenever he can get away, in the highlands of Scotland where he was fortunate to spend two sabbaticals. Liz Graves joined Talk of the Towns as co-producer and co-host in July 2022, having long admired public affairs programming on WERU and dreamed of getting involved in community radio. She works as the Town Clerk for the Town of Bar Harbor, and is a former editor of the Mount Desert Islander weekly newspaper. Liz grew up in California and came to Maine as a schooner sailor. The post Talk of the Towns 1/14/26: Conversation with Sylvia Torti, President, College of the Atlantic first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

Producer/Hosts: Ron Beard and Liz Graves College of the Atlantic provides help with production. Engineering by Joel Mann of WERU Community Radio. Theme music for Talk of the Towns Theme is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Highland Music recording. Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: What is the work of Downeast Restorative Justice? How does restorative justice connect to the criminal justice system to bring together those who have caused harm with those who have been harmed? What is the broader set of restorative practices that underpin the work of Downeast Restorative Justice to build community connections and resilience? What might a community circle look like… how is it convened, what are its intentions, what values does it demonstrate? How might listeners learn more about training opportunities to build skills that support restorative justice and, more broadly, restorative practice? Guest/s: Kayla Gagnon, Downeast Restorative Justice Youth and Community Coordinator Leslie Ross, Downeast Restorative Justice Program and Case Coordinator FMI: downeastrestorativejustice.org About the hosts: Ron Beard is producer and host of Talk of the Towns, which first aired on WERU in 1993 as part of his community building work as an Extension professor with University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Sea Grant. He took all the journalism courses he could fit in while an undergraduate student in wildlife management and served as an intern with Maine Public Television nightly newscast in the early 1970s. Ron is an adjunct faculty member at College of the Atlantic, teaching courses on community development. Ron served on the Bar Harbor Town Council for six years and is currently board chair for the Jesup Memorial Library in Bar Harbor, where he has lived since 1975. Look for him on the Allagash River in June, and whenever he can get away, in the highlands of Scotland where he was fortunate to spend two sabbaticals. Liz Graves joined Talk of the Towns as co-producer and co-host in July 2022, having long admired public affairs programming on WERU and dreamed of getting involved in community radio. She works as the Town Clerk for the Town of Bar Harbor, and is a former editor of the Mount Desert Islander weekly newspaper. Liz grew up in California and came to Maine as a schooner sailor. The post Talk of the Towns 12/10/25: Restorative Justice and Restorative Practice first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

Producer/Hosts: Ron Beard and Liz Graves College of the Atlantic provides help with production. Engineering by Joel Mann of WERU Community Radio. Theme music for Talk of the Towns Theme is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Highland Music recording. Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: What is the problem with traditional round road culverts? Why are they a problem for fish passage? How do traditional round road culverts respond to higher intensity rain storms and flooding? How do “stream smart” road crossings work? Are they worth the investment by Maine towns and private landowners? As Maine Audubon takes the lead for “stream smart” education, who are its partners? What role do Soil and Water Conservation Districts and Councils of Government play in seeking “stream smart” education and implementing better road crossings over streams? Where can listeners get more information about “stream smart” solutions? Guest/s: Sarah Haggerty, Conservation Biologist, Maine Audubon. Julie Sells, Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District. Meg Rasmussen, MidCoast Council of Governments. FMI: Stream Smart Program/Maine Audubon maineaudubon.org/projects/stream-smart/ Knox Lincoln Soil and Water Conservation District. www.knox-lincoln.org Midcoast Council of Governments. www.midcoastcog.com Demonstration video Stream Table www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCh1l5unRVI About the hosts: Ron Beard is producer and host of Talk of the Towns, which first aired on WERU in 1993 as part of his community building work as an Extension professor with University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Sea Grant. He took all the journalism courses he could fit in while an undergraduate student in wildlife management and served as an intern with Maine Public Television nightly newscast in the early 1970s. Ron is an adjunct faculty member at College of the Atlantic, teaching courses on community development. Ron served on the Bar Harbor Town Council for six years and is currently board chair for the Jesup Memorial Library in Bar Harbor, where he has lived since 1975. Look for him on the Allagash River in June, and whenever he can get away, in the highlands of Scotland where he was fortunate to spend two sabbaticals. Liz Graves joined Talk of the Towns as co-producer and co-host in July 2022, having long admired public affairs programming on WERU and dreamed of getting involved in community radio. She works as the Town Clerk for the Town of Bar Harbor, and is a former editor of the Mount Desert Islander weekly newspaper. Liz grew up in California and came to Maine as a schooner sailor. The post Talk of the Towns 11/12/25: Maine Stream Smart Program first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

Producer/Hosts: Ron Beard and Liz Graves Production support from College of the Atlantic. Theme music for Talk of the Towns Theme is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Highland Music recording. Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: How do the programs of Island Readers and Writers help students become confident, curious and engaged learners? What is the decade long history of Island Readers and Writers? How did it move from serving classrooms on the unbridged islands to also include schools in Washington County, Maine? What are some outcomes of bringing authors and illustrators of children’s books into Maine classrooms? What have you learned that teachers want, in order to help them become better teachers of reading and writing? What is the focus of the state-wide Dear Teacher conference on November 6 2025? Guest/s: Courtney Waring, Executive Director, Island Readers and Writers. Alison Johnson, Director of School Programs, Island Readers and Writers. Penny Johnson Principal of Perry Elementary. Everett Caroll 4-6th grade ELA teacher Milbridge Elementary. FMI: Island Readers and Writers islandreadersandwriters.org/ Dear Teacher Conference. islandreadersandwriters.org/events/ Dear Teacher Keynote speaker John Schu www.johnschu.com/ About the hosts: Ron Beard is producer and host of Talk of the Towns, which first aired on WERU in 1993 as part of his community building work as an Extension professor with University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Sea Grant. He took all the journalism courses he could fit in while an undergraduate student in wildlife management and served as an intern with Maine Public Television nightly newscast in the early 1970s. Ron is an adjunct faculty member at College of the Atlantic, teaching courses on community development. Ron served on the Bar Harbor Town Council for six years and is currently board chair for the Jesup Memorial Library in Bar Harbor, where he has lived since 1975. Look for him on the Allagash River in June, and whenever he can get away, in the highlands of Scotland where he was fortunate to spend two sabbaticals. Liz Graves joined Talk of the Towns as co-producer and co-host in July 2022, having long admired public affairs programming on WERU and dreamed of getting involved in community radio. She works as the Town Clerk for the Town of Bar Harbor, and is a former editor of the Mount Desert Islander weekly newspaper. Liz grew up in California and came to Maine as a schooner sailor. The post Talk of the Towns 10/8/25: Island Readers and Writers & Dear Teacher Conference first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

Producer/Hosts: Ron Beard and Liz Graves Production support from Joel Mann and from College of the Atlantic Theme music for Talk of the Towns Theme is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Highland Music recording. Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: What is the history of public libraries in the US? What is the mission of community libraries? What is included in “new librarianship”? What does “new librarianship” imply for library staff and boards of directors? How might local libraries shift from serving their communities to “saving” them? How might local libraries make use of and help their members make use of Artificial Intelligence? Guest/s: R. David Lankes, author of New Librarianship Field Guide and Triptych: Death, AI and Librarianship. FMI: davidlankes.org About the hosts: Ron Beard is producer and host of Talk of the Towns, which first aired on WERU in 1993 as part of his community building work as an Extension professor with University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Sea Grant. He took all the journalism courses he could fit in while an undergraduate student in wildlife management and served as an intern with Maine Public Television nightly newscast in the early 1970s. Ron is an adjunct faculty member at College of the Atlantic, teaching courses on community development. Ron served on the Bar Harbor Town Council for six years and is currently board chair for the Jesup Memorial Library in Bar Harbor, where he has lived since 1975. Look for him on the Allagash River in June, and whenever he can get away, in the highlands of Scotland where he was fortunate to spend two sabbaticals. Liz Graves joined Talk of the Towns as co-producer and co-host in July 2022, having long admired public affairs programming on WERU and dreamed of getting involved in community radio. She works as the Town Clerk for the Town of Bar Harbor, and is a former editor of the Mount Desert Islander weekly newspaper. Liz grew up in California and came to Maine as a schooner sailor. The post Talk of the Towns 9/10/25: How Libraries Save Communities– a conversation with R. David Lankes first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

Producer/Hosts: Ron Beard and Liz Graves Production support from Joel Mann and from College of the Atlantic Theme music for Talk of the Towns Theme is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Highland Music recording. Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: What is Cherryfield’s historical and current relationship to the Narraguagus River? What was the 1961 Corps of Army Engineers Ice Dam and how did reduce flooding and reduce fish passage? What led to a recent study that resulted in a redesign of the engineering that provides flood control due to ice jams as well as passage of Atlantic Salmon, shad, alewives and other fish up stream on the Narragagus River? What benefits will Cherryfield and the river ecosystem see as a result of the new design and waterfront park? What can other communities learn from the process that Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Downeast Salmon Federation, the Town of Cherryfield followed to secure fish passage on the Narragaugus River? Guest/s: Jacob van de Sande, Assoc. Director, Land Protection, Maine Coast Heritage Trust Mary Knapp, Selectboard Member, Town of Cherryfield Ellie Mason, Project Manager, Downeast Salmon Federation FMI: www.mcht.org www.mainesalmonrivers.org www.cherryfieldmaine.us About the hosts: Ron Beard is producer and host of Talk of the Towns, which first aired on WERU in 1993 as part of his community building work as an Extension professor with University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Sea Grant. He took all the journalism courses he could fit in while an undergraduate student in wildlife management and served as an intern with Maine Public Television nightly newscast in the early 1970s. Ron is an adjunct faculty member at College of the Atlantic, teaching courses on community development. Ron served on the Bar Harbor Town Council for six years and is currently board chair for the Jesup Memorial Library in Bar Harbor, where he has lived since 1975. Look for him on the Allagash River in June, and whenever he can get away, in the highlands of Scotland where he was fortunate to spend two sabbaticals. Liz Graves joined Talk of the Towns as co-producer and co-host in July 2022, having long admired public affairs programming on WERU and dreamed of getting involved in community radio. She works as the Town Clerk for the Town of Bar Harbor, and is a former editor of the Mount Desert Islander weekly newspaper. Liz grew up in California and came to Maine as a schooner sailor. The post Talk of the Towns 7/9/25: A River Story: Cherryfield and fish passage on the Narraguagus River first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

Producer/Hosts: Ron Beard and Liz Graves Production support from Joel Mann and from College of the Atlantic Theme music for Talk of the Towns Theme is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Highland Music recording. Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: How did the group working on AI in the MDI School System get formed—what are its goals? What have been the takeaways so far? Surprises? Talk a bit about public perception of AI in school. ChatGPT generated essays, plagiarism concerns, etc. How does that match up with the reality in Maine classrooms? What is the Maine Learning Technology Initiative? The state government implemented a pause on use of generative AI two years ago, to clarify policies and best practices. Some countries, states and cities have bans on the use of AI in schools. Could you talk a bit about where Maine falls on that spectrum and what has been learned since 2023? What did you learn when you taught a class on AI-assisted writing. What has struck or surprised you in that process? What do you think we can learn from human experience with other technology and scientific advancement as we ride the wave of AI? Where can listeners learn more… do you have any favorite writers or sources? Guest/s: Kate Meyer, English and Design Thinking teacher, MDI High School and 2020 Hancock County Teacher of the Year Nicole Davis, AI & Emerging Technology Specialist, Maine Dept of Education Gray Cox, professor of philosophy, College of the Atlantic, author of Smarter Planet or Wiser Earth: dialogue and collaboration in the era of artificial intelligence, published by Quaker Institute for the Future, 2023 FMI: www.oneusefulthing.org/ (“One Useful Thing | Ethan Mollick | Substack,” March 30, 2025. A series of useful blog posts that keep track of many key new features of AI. Also see Mollick, Ethan: Intelligence: Living and Working with AI. New York: Portfolio, 2024. An accessible, short book length introduction to the basics of AI and its uses by a Wharton Business School professor www.newyorker.com/culture/the-weekend-essay/will-the-humanities-survive-artificial-intelligence (Burnett, D. Graham. “Will the Humanities Survive Artificial Intelligence?” The New Yorker, April 26, 2025. . A very stimulating, cutting edge interpretation of how Generative AI is transforming the current practice and future of liberal arts education) www.smarterplanetorwiserearth.com (Smarter Planet or Wiser Earth? Dialogue and Collaboration in the Era of Artificial Intelligence, by Gray Cox. A very in-depth approach to the issues Generative AI raises from a systematic human ecological point of view.) About the hosts: Ron Beard is producer and host of Talk of the Towns, which first aired on WERU in 1993 as part of his community building work as an Extension professor with University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Sea Grant. He took all the journalism courses he could fit in while an undergraduate student in wildlife management and served as an intern with Maine Public Television nightly newscast in the early 1970s. Ron is an adjunct faculty member at College of the Atlantic, teaching courses on community development. Ron served on the Bar Harbor Town Council for six years and is currently board chair for the Jesup Memorial Library in Bar Harbor, where he has lived since 1975. Look for him on the Allagash River in June, and whenever he can get away, in the highlands of Scotland where he was fortunate to spend two sabbaticals. Liz Graves joined Talk of the Towns as co-producer and co-host in July 2022, having long admired public affairs programming on WERU and dreamed of getting involved in community radio. She works as the Town Clerk for the Town of Bar Harbor, and is a former editor of the Mount Desert Islander weekly newspaper. Liz grew up in California and came to Maine as a schooner sailor. The post Talk of the Towns 5/14/25: Artificial Intelligence in Maine Schools first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

Producer/Hosts: Ron Beard and Liz Graves Production support from Joel Mann and from College of the Atlantic Theme music for Talk of the Towns Theme is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Highland Music recording. Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: Profiles of four community libraries in Northeast Harbor, Bucksport, Bangor and Ellsworth. Their traditional roles, and new roles to bring people together and to respond to new needs as “public help desks” for their communities. The role of the Maine Library Association to support professional development for library staff and to help coordinate library service throughout the state. Challenges, including threats to cut federal funding. What to look for in the PBS Independent Lens program Free for All: the public library. The role of free public libraries in building democracy. Guest/s: Amy Wisehart, Director, Northeast Harbor Library and President, Maine Library Association Lisa Ladd, Director, Buck Memorial Library, Bucksport Ben Treat, Director, Bangor Public Library Sarah Lasko, Director, Ellsworth Public Library FMI: bangorpubliclibrary.org www.bucklibrary.org www.ellsworthlibrary.net nehlibrary.org mainelibraries.org • Whole Person Librarianship. (website about social work / library collaborations) wholepersonlibrarianship.com/ • Bryne, Janicki, and Visser. (2024). “Libraries Stand Ready as Digital Inclusion Comes of Age.” Maine Policy Review 33.2 digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/mpr/vol33/iss2/3/ • Clark & Smith. (2024). “What’s Keeping Public Libraries Up at Night?” Maine Policy Review 33.2. digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/mpr/vol33/iss2/12/ • Furukawa, Scott, & Treat. (2024). “‘We’re the Town’s Help Desk:’ Social Work Creep in America’s Last Public Space. Maine Policy Review 33:2. digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/mpr/vol33/iss2/15/ • Houston. (2024). “Lewiston Public Library Services for New Mainer Population.” Maine Policy Review 33:2. digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/mpr/vol33/iss2/22/ • Silka. (2024). “Interview with Hazel Onsrud.” Maine Policy Review 33:2 digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/mpr/vol33/iss2/5/ About the hosts: Ron Beard is producer and host of Talk of the Towns, which first aired on WERU in 1993 as part of his community building work as an Extension professor with University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Sea Grant. He took all the journalism courses he could fit in while an undergraduate student in wildlife management and served as an intern with Maine Public Television nightly newscast in the early 1970s. Ron is an adjunct faculty member at College of the Atlantic, teaching courses on community development. Ron served on the Bar Harbor Town Council for six years and is currently board chair for the Jesup Memorial Library in Bar Harbor, where he has lived since 1975. Look for him on the Allagash River in June, and whenever he can get away, in the highlands of Scotland where he was fortunate to spend two sabbaticals. Liz Graves joined Talk of the Towns as co-producer and co-host in July 2022, having long admired public affairs programming on WERU and dreamed of getting involved in community radio. She works as the Town Clerk for the Town of Bar Harbor, and is a former editor of the Mount Desert Islander weekly newspaper. Liz grew up in California and came to Maine as a schooner sailor. The post Talk of the Towns 4/12/25: The Promise of Libraries: their role in communities and democracy first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

Producer/Hosts: Ron Beard and Liz Graves Theme music for Talk of the Towns Theme is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Highland Music recording. Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: –What experiences led to the creation of the Rural Aspirations Project –The Rural Aspirations Project has developed a “theory of change” to describe how it works collaboratively with rural schools, students, teachers community members, and what happens when the work succeeds. –The Rural Aspirations project has a track record of more than a decade and has a number of case studies that illustrate their approach. Each case study links learning with the natural resources of their rural area, improves graduation rates and gives students the opportunity to create an onward path after graduation –Staff members from Rural Aspirations Project share their personal stories about why they do this work and why it is so important to the future of rural communities and their people Guest/s: Kora Soll – Executive Director & Co-founder Val Peacock – Director of Program Strategy and Program Development & Co-founder Todd West – Operations Director & Collaborative Project Coordinator FMI: www.ruralaspirations.org About the hosts: Ron Beard is producer and host of Talk of the Towns, which first aired on WERU in 1993 as part of his community building work as an Extension professor with University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Sea Grant. He took all the journalism courses he could fit in while an undergraduate student in wildlife management and served as an intern with Maine Public Television nightly newscast in the early 1970s. Ron is an adjunct faculty member at College of the Atlantic, teaching courses on community development. Ron served on the Bar Harbor Town Council for six years and is currently board chair for the Jesup Memorial Library in Bar Harbor, where he has lived since 1975. Look for him on the Allagash River in June, and whenever he can get away, in the highlands of Scotland where he was fortunate to spend two sabbaticals. Liz Graves joined Talk of the Towns as co-producer and co-host in July 2022, having long admired public affairs programming on WERU and dreamed of getting involved in community radio. She works as the Town Clerk for the Town of Bar Harbor, and is a former editor of the Mount Desert Islander weekly newspaper. Liz grew up in California and came to Maine as a schooner sailor. The post Talk of the Towns 3/12/25: Maine’s Rural Aspirations Project first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

Producer/Hosts: Ron Beard and Liz Graves Theme music for Talk of the Towns Theme is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Highland Music recording. Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: What are some of the ways that people end up without homes? What are their stories? We know that solving the problem requires two connected strategies: providing people with housing and providing services that help them with physical and mental health, employment, transportation, and other concerns– why is it proving so difficult to put these strategies in place? What is the role of shelters, and other temporary housing solutions, and who provides them? What is the role of Community Housing of Maine and the network of other providers of housing and services? Guest/s: Melody Lewis-Kane, co-producer, “BUILDING HOPE” Tracey Hair, former director, H.O.M.E., Inc Cullen Ryan, executive director, Community Housing of Maine FMI: HOME Inc, East Orland homemmausa.org Community Housing of Maine www.chomhousing.org Kane Lewis Productions www.kanelewis.com/ Building Hope (the film) www.kanelewis.com/building-hope-homelessness About the hosts: Ron Beard is producer and host of Talk of the Towns, which first aired on WERU in 1993 as part of his community building work as an Extension professor with University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Sea Grant. He took all the journalism courses he could fit in while an undergraduate student in wildlife management and served as an intern with Maine Public Television nightly newscast in the early 1970s. Ron is an adjunct faculty member at College of the Atlantic, teaching courses on community development. Ron served on the Bar Harbor Town Council for six years and is currently board chair for the Jesup Memorial Library in Bar Harbor, where he has lived since 1975. Look for him on the Allagash River in June, and whenever he can get away, in the highlands of Scotland where he was fortunate to spend two sabbaticals. Liz Graves joined Talk of the Towns as co-producer and co-host in July 2022, having long admired public affairs programming on WERU and dreamed of getting involved in community radio. She works as the Town Clerk for the Town of Bar Harbor, and is a former editor of the Mount Desert Islander weekly newspaper. Liz grew up in California and came to Maine as a schooner sailor. The post Talk of the Towns 2/12/25: Tackling Homelessness in Maine first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

Producer/Hosts: Ron Beard and Liz Graves Theme music for Talk of the Towns Theme is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Highland Music recording. Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: What is the mission of the Maine Downtown Center? What led leaders in Ellsworth and Belfast to work with the Maine Downtown Center and what was the process for connecting? With leadership from Heart of Ellsworth, that city recently became an accredited Main Street America community. What does that mean and what was involved in getting there? How does Our Town Belfast support new and existing downtown businesses? How does a downtown organization work with local government, Chambers of Commerce, tourism organizations or other groups? Guest/s: Cara Romano, Executive Director, Heart of Ellsworth. Amanda Cunningham, Our Town Belfast. Sylvie Piquet, Program Director, Maine Downtown Center, Maine Development Foundation. FMI: www.mdf.org/program-partnerships/maine-downtown-center/ www.heartofellsworth.org ourtownbelfast.org About the hosts: Ron Beard is producer and host of Talk of the Towns, which first aired on WERU in 1993 as part of his community building work as an Extension professor with University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Sea Grant. He took all the journalism courses he could fit in while an undergraduate student in wildlife management and served as an intern with Maine Public Television nightly newscast in the early 1970s. Ron is an adjunct faculty member at College of the Atlantic, teaching courses on community development. Ron served on the Bar Harbor Town Council for six years and is currently board chair for the Jesup Memorial Library in Bar Harbor, where he has lived since 1975. Look for him on the Allagash River in June, and whenever he can get away, in the highlands of Scotland where he was fortunate to spend two sabbaticals. Liz Graves joined Talk of the Towns as co-producer and co-host in July 2022, having long admired public affairs programming on WERU and dreamed of getting involved in community radio. She works as the Town Clerk for the Town of Bar Harbor, and is a former editor of the Mount Desert Islander weekly newspaper. Liz grew up in California and came to Maine as a schooner sailor. The post Talk of the Towns 1/8/25: Helping Maine Downtowns Thrive first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

Producer/Hosts: Ron Beard and Liz Graves Theme music for Talk of the Towns Theme is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Highland Music recording. Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: As co-editor, Kara Douglas shares what led to this collaboration and publication of Alive to This–Essays on Living Fully by 20 Maine Writers. Kara Douglas, Carl Little and Robert Diamante, contributors to the collection of essays, provide background on their essay and read short portions, all reflecting on what brought them to feeling most alive? Each guest also highlights an essay written by Maine writers, creating connections among all 20 essays. Each writer reflects on how these essays might help readers/listeners reflect on the year ending and a new year beginning. Guest/s: Kara Douglas—Co editor of Alive to This (along with Erin O’Mara) and contributor, also yoga and meditation teacher, Harpswell. Carl Little, contributor, Somesville, writer on the arts, latest collection of poems is entitled Blanket of the Night , Deerbook Editions, Somesville. Robert Diamante, contributor, artist, photographer, Bangor. FMI: Alive to This– littoralbooks.com/product/alive-to-this-essays-on-living-fully-tax-exempt/ find.mainewriters.org/writers/carl_little/ robertdiamante.com fishmoonyoga.com/ (website for Kara Douglas) harpswellanchor.org/2024/11/harpswell-neck-writers-collaborate-for-alive-to-this-essay-collection-exploring-connection-and-possibility/ About the hosts: Ron Beard is producer and host of Talk of the Towns, which first aired on WERU in 1993 as part of his community building work as an Extension professor with University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Sea Grant. He took all the journalism courses he could fit in while an undergraduate student in wildlife management and served as an intern with Maine Public Television nightly newscast in the early 1970s. Ron is an adjunct faculty member at College of the Atlantic, teaching courses on community development. Ron served on the Bar Harbor Town Council for six years and is currently board chair for the Jesup Memorial Library in Bar Harbor, where he has lived since 1975. Look for him on the Allagash River in June, and whenever he can get away, in the highlands of Scotland where he was fortunate to spend two sabbaticals. Liz Graves joined Talk of the Towns as co-producer and co-host in July 2022, having long admired public affairs programming on WERU and dreamed of getting involved in community radio. She works as the Town Clerk for the Town of Bar Harbor, and is a former editor of the Mount Desert Islander weekly newspaper. Liz grew up in California and came to Maine as a schooner sailor. The post Talk of the Towns 12/11/24: Alive To This… exploring a new book of essays by Maine writers first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

Producer/Hosts: Ron Beard and Liz Graves Theme music for Talk of the Towns Theme is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Highland Music recording. Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: What is the housing situation here in Maine? What are the key pillars for Zero Energy Homes: Zero energy, Affordability, Modular Construction, Cooperatively owned company. What are the components of a zero energy home? What is modular construction and how does it contribute to an affordable home? What has been the start up journey so far for Zero Energy Homes. What roles have the philanthropic and venture capital sectors played? What comes next? Hiring the a manager for the manufacturing process and locating a site for a manufacturing facility capable of constructing 30-50 homes per year. What is the timeline for locating your first demonstration home in Searsport in 2025? Guest/s: Caroline Pryor, founder of Zero Energy Homes, Mount Desert, Maine. Dick Arnold, advisory board, retired manufacturing ceo and engineer, Old Orchard Beach. Parlin Meyer, Managing Principal and co-owner BrightBuilt Home. Designer of modular, sustainble homes, Portland. FMI: zeroenergyhomes.coop www.brightbuilthome.com About the hosts: Ron Beard is producer and host of Talk of the Towns, which first aired on WERU in 1993 as part of his community building work as an Extension professor with University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Sea Grant. He took all the journalism courses he could fit in while an undergraduate student in wildlife management and served as an intern with Maine Public Television nightly newscast in the early 1970s. Ron is an adjunct faculty member at College of the Atlantic, teaching courses on community development. Ron served on the Bar Harbor Town Council for six years and is currently board chair for the Jesup Memorial Library in Bar Harbor, where he has lived since 1975. Look for him on the Allagash River in June, and whenever he can get away, in the highlands of Scotland where he was fortunate to spend two sabbaticals. Liz Graves joined Talk of the Towns as co-producer and co-host in July 2022, having long admired public affairs programming on WERU and dreamed of getting involved in community radio. She works as the Town Clerk for the Town of Bar Harbor, and is a former editor of the Mount Desert Islander weekly newspaper. Liz grew up in California and came to Maine as a schooner sailor. The post Talk of the Towns 11/13/24: Zero Energy Homes for Maine first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

Producer/Hosts: Ron Beard and Liz Graves Theme music for Talk of the Towns Theme is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Highland Music recording. Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: – A bit of history of public housing in the US. – Recent trends that led to Maine’s current picture. – Review of available public housing in Bangor and Mount Desert Island and Ellsworth, voucher programs and ancillary support. – Who is served by local housing authorities and by Maine State Housing? – Where is the “cutting edge” in housing, what are some of the challenges? Guest/s: Weston Brehm, Executive Director, MDI – Ellsworth Housing Authorities. Michael Myhatt, Executive Director, Bangor Housing. FMI: www.emdiha.org bangorhousing.org www.mainehousing.org www.affordablehousing.com/mainecwl About the hosts: Ron Beard is producer and host of Talk of the Towns, which first aired on WERU in 1993 as part of his community building work as an Extension professor with University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Sea Grant. He took all the journalism courses he could fit in while an undergraduate student in wildlife management and served as an intern with Maine Public Television nightly newscast in the early 1970s. Ron is an adjunct faculty member at College of the Atlantic, teaching courses on community development. Ron served on the Bar Harbor Town Council for six years and is currently board chair for the Jesup Memorial Library in Bar Harbor, where he has lived since 1975. Look for him on the Allagash River in June, and whenever he can get away, in the highlands of Scotland where he was fortunate to spend two sabbaticals. Liz Graves joined Talk of the Towns as co-producer and co-host in July 2022, having long admired public affairs programming on WERU and dreamed of getting involved in community radio. She works as the Town Clerk for the Town of Bar Harbor, and is a former editor of the Mount Desert Islander weekly newspaper. Liz grew up in California and came to Maine as a schooner sailor. The post Talk of the Towns 10/10/24: Housing Authorities in Maine first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

Producer/Hosts: Ron Beard and Liz Graves Theme music for Talk of the Towns Theme is a medley from Coronach, on a Balnain House Highland Music recording. Talk of the Towns: Local Community concerns and opportunities This month: – What are the options for early childhood education in eastern Maine? – Is there an overall philosophy or approach to early childhood programs… what are they hoping to accomplish? – How are programs for early childhood education sponsored and delivered? – What are some of the strengths and challenges associated with existing early childhood program? Guest/s: Naomi McIsaac, Director of Early Childhood Programs, Downeast Community Partners Ana Hicks, Policy Director, Human Services, Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future FMI: www.downeastcommunitypartners.org/services/children-and-education/info.php/Early-Care-and-Education-Programs-2/ www.maine.gov/future/childrens-cabinet www.maine.gov/future/sites/maine.gov.future/files/2024-03/GOPIF_CC_Report_2023_FINAL.pdf About the hosts: Ron Beard is producer and host of Talk of the Towns, which first aired on WERU in 1993 as part of his community building work as an Extension professor with University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Sea Grant. He took all the journalism courses he could fit in while an undergraduate student in wildlife management and served as an intern with Maine Public Television nightly newscast in the early 1970s. Ron is an adjunct faculty member at College of the Atlantic, teaching courses on community development. Ron served on the Bar Harbor Town Council for six years and is currently board chair for the Jesup Memorial Library in Bar Harbor, where he has lived since 1975. Look for him on the Allagash River in June, and whenever he can get away, in the highlands of Scotland where he was fortunate to spend two sabbaticals. Liz Graves joined Talk of the Towns as co-producer and co-host in July 2022, having long admired public affairs programming on WERU and dreamed of getting involved in community radio. She works as the Town Clerk for the Town of Bar Harbor, and is a former editor of the Mount Desert Islander weekly newspaper. Liz grew up in California and came to Maine as a schooner sailor. The post Talk of the Towns 9/11/24: Early Childhood Programs and Policy first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.