Life + Culture

The Science of Gratitude

A conversation with Dr. Robert A. Emmons, the world's leading scientific expert on gratitude Article by Angela Smith Before gratitude lists were a thing, a scientist who put gratitude on the map started his journey in Maine. Robert A. Emmons, Ph.D., UC Davis psychologist and a leading gratitude expert, earned his degree at the University of Southern Maine. He recently shared with us what gratitude is—and how to live it. In our Q&A, Emmons brings gratitude from the Hallmark aisle to the lab...

Health + Wellness

Air. Ground. Gratitude

Care in motion. Gratitude in person. How LifeFlight brings the ICU to patients, then helps complete the circle. Article by Angela Smith | Photography by Henry Frank and Mark Fleming LifeFlight of Maine brings the ICU to patients. By helicopter. Plane. Specialty ground ambulance. They meet people on the hardest days of their lives and move them toward care. In one of the most rural states, bases in Bangor, Lewiston, and Sanford let teams reach 90% of Maine within 45 minutes — shrinking long...

Life + Culture

Mainers Talk Thanks

Four Community Members Offer Their Perspective on Gratitude Article by Angela Smith We recently caught up with four Mainers, neighbors you might recognize, to talk about gratitude. We asked two simple prompts that open big doors: 1. What does gratitude mean to you? 2. What’s something you’re grateful for right now? Their answers are personal and practical, reminding us that gratitude is both a mindset and a daily practice—shaped by the work we do, the communities we serve, and the people and...

Arts + Culture

Kindness Delivered

Local shops for cards that carry connection and joy Article by Angela Smith The art of a thank-you note is simple and mighty. It’s gratitude, love, and empathy, tucked inside an envelope. Putting words on paper and sending mail lands differently. Cards carry connection, evaporate distance, and affirm worth. Writing and sending cards takes time. Presence. It’s a personal act that goes a long way. Cards surprise and delight people. They land on a counter or desk and deliver lift every time...