P O R T R A I T S
Click photo to listen
APRIL STONE
“Hey, our people wove with these. And guess what? The tree’s dying.”
April with one of her many baskets at her home and studio in Bad River, WI.
See more of April’s basketry and learn about her weaving workshops on her Instagram page.
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J. VICTOR
“Love, flowers, roses are blue, flowers are red, whatever stuff — It just doesn't click anymore. Now's the time for something that is different.”
Victor performing poetry. From Lewiston, ME, he was the Maine Poetry Out Loud Champion in 2019. (Photo by Jim Siragusa)
Additional portraits of Victor: I never expected to be away from the rest of my family…
Check out Victor’s work on Instagram and his YouTube channel, Live Love Spoken Word.
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WORLD CUP: FANS SPEAK
“It’s important for the women, the young women to do what they like to do…for the woman rights to grow in society by football. Because football is the land for men.”
Interviews with fans from all around the world attending the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France. Click photo to listen to all interviews.
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DARYL WHITING
“I think of myself as a sunflower. I sprouted, I grew, I had kids. And I’m gonna go to seed.”
Daryl grooming her rabbit before competition at the Cumberland County Fair in Maine. (Photo by Olivia Norrmen-Smith)
Daryl’s Menagerie was originally produced in partnership with the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies.
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LISE JOSUE
“We would like to celebrate Christmas the same [as in Haiti] but its too cold in Maine. But the snow is a blessing.”
Lise Josue with her youngest daughter at her home in Jonesport, ME.
Additional portraits of Lise:
A day’s work is with my husband and three daughters.
My children love going to church. They know the days and ask when its time to go..
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JIM SIRAGUSA
“What keeps me up at night is thoughts just from my life. I've always done that — just sort of play the movie of what of my past.”
Jim presenting poetry. He resides in Stow, ME.
Jim taught high school English in Lewiston, ME for decades. He’s now an Associate Professor of English at Central Maine Community College.
ANGELA OKAFOR
“Now is the time to be human again.”
Angela outside of her international food market in Bangor, ME. She is also a lawyer and city council representative.
Additional portraits of Angela:
A day’s work is whatever comes my way…
I took a risk when I ran for city council…
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ROSE and Andy Gove
"You were the best thing I ever did.”
Andy driving “Uncle’s U.F.O” in the Penobscot Bay near Stonington, ME. (Photo from Ellsworth American)
In cherished memory of Andy “Uncle’s UFO” Gove.
You can hear some of Rose and Andy’s stories about their life-long love, lobstering and the reoccurring birthday seal. on WERU Community Radio.
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CHELSEA WADDELL
“It gives me pride that a women's sports team can be what is beautiful for us right now.”
Chelsea traveled from Portland, OR to France for the 2019 Women’s World Cup.
Chelsea is an avid snowboarder and women’s soccer aficionado. Hear what she has to say on Twitter @WaddellChelsea.
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leyla hashi
“I want to bring my positivity outside. I want people to see me for me.”
Leyla is a recent Communication and Journalism graduate of USM in Portland, ME. She was the 2020 commencement speaker.
Additional portraits of Leyla:
What keeps me up at night is getting ready for the Black Lives Matter protest…
I was raised to believe that education is very important...
Learn more about Leyla on LinkedIn.
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FIONA ROBINS
“I feel raw and performative at the same time — feels so good. And scary. “
Fiona Robins performing on stage. Her band is Bait Bag and they live in North Haven, ME.
Additional portraits of Fiona:
What gets me out of bed in the morning is coffee!
When I step outside my door, I’m hit with a fog bank.
Follow her band Bait Bag.