Talk of the Towns

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download