Jennifer Rooks

1 week ago | mainepublic.org | Jennifer Rooks |Cindy Han

In his day, acclaimed artist Joseph Fiore was known for abstract compositions as well as realistic landscapes, but today he’s not as well known as many of his contemporaries. Fiore spent summers in Jefferson during the 1950s and ‘60s and drew inspiration from Maine. To mark 100 years since Fiore’s birth, the Maine Art Gallery and Maine Farmland Trust are holding a retrospective of his work. And a film about Fiore's life and legacy will air on Maine Public Television.

1 week ago | mainepublic.org | Jennifer Rooks |Cindy Han

The Covid-19 virus continues to circulate, but for most people the pandemic is in the rearview mirror. Meanwhile, public health experts are keeping a close eye on other infectious diseases, such as bird flu and dengue. They believe there will be another pandemic—that it’s not a matter of “if” but “when.” What lessons did these past years teach us about how to face a global health crisis? How prepared are we for the next pandemic?

2 weeks ago | mainepublic.org | Jennifer Rooks |Jonathan Smith

Each summer, Maine Humanities Council leads the Read ME program, encouraging people across the state to read books by select authors. This year, recommending author, poet Julia Bouwsma, chose The Great Transition, by Nick Fuller Googins, and American Breakdown, by Jennifer Lunden. We’ll hear from these authors and others about their work, and about what books they recommend for your summer reading list.

2 weeks ago | mainepublic.org | Jennifer Rooks |Cindy Han

Is it possible for a person's identity to change dramatically, yet still stay the same? In her new book, Shift, Penny Guisinger, recounts her life story and her relationships—going from straight to queer, as a wife and mother who was first married to a man, then later a woman. She writes about her journey and self-examination against a backdrop of living in rural Maine and grappling with societal norms.

2 weeks ago | mainepublic.org | Jennifer Rooks |Cindy Han

As part of Maine Calling's series "Ready & Able: Living with a Disability in Maine," this show will be streamed on Maine Public's YouTube channel and Maine Calling's Facebook page, with ASL interpretation. Are today's workplaces inclusive enough? For individuals with disabilities, having a good, productive job is tied to how well their workplace provides the accommodations that are required by law. It also means that they don't face discrimination or other obstacles.