Rob Caldwell

1 week ago | newscentermaine.com | Rob Caldwell

PORTLAND, Maine — When Lewis Kaplan was four or five years old, an age when other boys might have been interested in getting a toy gun or a training bicycle, he asked his mother for a violin. She was open-minded but thought, quite sensibly, it would be fine to buy him a toy instrument. Then Kaplan’s grandmother stepped in with a suggestion: Why not get him a real violin? A real violin is what he ended up with. “That,” Kaplan said, “was the beginning.” It was a joyful moment for him.

2 weeks ago | newscentermaine.com | Rob Caldwell

PORTLAND, Maine — You know how to protect yourself against sunburn, mosquitoes, and the other things that can ruin a nice summer day. But do you know how to protect your phone and other personal tech devices when outdoors this time of year? 207’s tech guy, Rich Brooks of Flyte New Media in Portland, joined us with some useful tips. Here are the talking points he provided. Let's start with a scenario our viewers can probably relate to: you're at the beach, enjoying a sunny afternoon.

2 weeks ago | newscentermaine.com | Rob Caldwell

BRUNSWICK, Maine — Kenny Ingram, the director of the season-opening production of “Anastasia” at Maine State Music Theatre, rolled his eyes at the suggestion that when his work on the show is finally complete, maybe he’ll relax by kicking back and lounging in a hammock. “This is me,” he said with a big grin, acknowledging that his off-the-charts level of energy is ill-suited for calm and repose. He’s all about work, in particular the creativity and enthusiasm that go into musical theater.

2 weeks ago | newscentermaine.com | Rob Caldwell

BRUNSWICK, Maine — Not long after moving to Brunswick in 2011, Rebecca Goldfine, a lifelong hiker who grew up in Maine, found it challenging to figure out where to hike in an area that was new to her. At the time, the internet didn’t offer the wide array of hiking guides that it does now. So Goldfine decided to create her own online guide, aptly named Maine by Foot. “I did it to learn how to make a website,” she said. "Originally, I was going to call it Midcoast Maine by Foot.

3 weeks ago | newscentermaine.com | Rob Caldwell

PORTLAND, Maine — In its mission statement, the nonprofit Maine Academy of Modern Music—MAMM for short--says it “uses the power of music to inspire students, foster creative collaboration, and build community.” Here’s another way to think of it. “We’re essentially Maine’s School of Rock,” MAMM executive director Jeff Shaw explained. “It’s sort of like rock and roll Little League.” Thousands of students across Maine have benefited from its classes, programs, and summer camps.