Born as a pandemic project from the staff at the Franco-American Collection based at the University of Southern Maine Lewiston-Auburn College, the Franco American Pathways Podcast explores the history of Canadians who relocated to Maine and established families who have remained in place for generations. Hosts Julia Rhinelander, Anna Faherty, and Maureen Perry invited me … Continue reading Guest on Franco American Pathways Podcast
I was invited to present at the Maine Governor's Conference on Tourism held in Portland on April 14, 2022. Below is a recording of my PechaKucha-style presentation (20 slides auto-advancing every 20 seconds) on Biddeford's renaissance. https://youtu.be/JCs3eFRMZP0
In The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, Sogyal Rinpoche writes, “What is born will die. What has been gathered will be dispersed. What has been accumulated will be exhausted. What has been built up will collapse. And what has been high will be brought low.”
It may come as no surprise that I am passionate about my hometown. Coming of age in a desolate Biddeford juxtaposed with stories from the city's heyday makes it even more inspiring to see the downtown blossom in recent years. Just a decade ago, shopping local was nearly impossible. Now, there's a bevy of businesses … Continue reading Bootsie About Biddeford
yoga reaches out harnesses the power of yoga around the world to make a difference in the lives of children as they go through the toughest tests of their young lives When the lovely yogini Jacqui Bonwell posted in early February about the 10th annual Yoga Reaches Out, I immediately signed up. It wasn't the draw … Continue reading Yoga Reaches Out
A quick inquiry about in January 2020 about a yoga retreat in France led me to Lindsay Porter, who invited me to be a guest on her podcast Voices of Yoga. Lindsay is a yogi, yoga teacher, author, mental health advocate, body positive individual based in Scotland. Ultimately, I never went on that retreat, but … Continue reading Voices of Yoga
This original piece was created for Heart of Biddeford as part of its Vote Your Main Street campaign hosted by Partners in Preservation. Biddeford is one of twenty communities vying for a $150,000 grant to aid in restoration of a historic, iconic property. For Biddeford, that property is City Hall's Clock Tower.
As Biddeford continues its renaissance, the downtown has found its foodie niche. The city’s oldest establishment — Reilly’s Bakery — serves up donuts, pastries and cakes to generations of loyal customers, while continually building a new fan base. Same goes for the Italians from George’s Sandwich Shop and the personal-sized pies from Pizza by Alex. Among the … Continue reading Never go hungry (or thirsty) in Biddeford!
“If I only ever teach one yoga class after this, I hope I teach a class before the Michael Franti concert,” I said, jokingly, when I started my yoga teacher training. For those unfamiliar with Michael Franti, he is a musician, humanitarian and filmmaker who uses his art as a vehicle for positive change in … Continue reading Do It For The Love
Spring finally broke this past week with sunshine and daytime temperatures above 50 degrees. People turned out in droves for Earth Day celebrations. Parks and beaches were full with Mainers shaking off cabin fever caused by another long winter. In a small park along Main Street in Saco, a group of ten very different people … Continue reading Fluid Yogis Take Maine
Emma Bouthillette 