http://www.usresident.com/content/articles/us-travel-guides/maine/ Sat, 19 May 2012 19:13:23 +0000 43200 http://www.usresident.com/content/articles/us-travel-guides/maine/college-scholarships-and-grants-in-maine-r128
State of Maine Grant Program

This program offers state aid for those students who have filled out their Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, form. There is a variety of awards available, with the highest being for students who attend private institutions in the state of Maine, and the lowest awards going to students who attend out of state public schools. But, hey, every little bit helps!

Educators for Maine Program

This program offers merit based aid for both undergraduate and graduate students who plan to study for a career in teaching, speech pathology, or child care. Applicants for this award must be Maine residents who have filed a FAFSA form. The application process also requires an essay, however the awards are worth the effort – they range anywhere from $3,000 - $12,000 for undergraduates.

Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship

This award is merit-based and is one of the more competitive awards offered by the state, however there is at least one awarded in each of Maine’s 16 counties. Students who apply must be residents of the state of Maine and are required, as with other awards, to file a FAFSA form. The award is in the amount of $1,500 a year, and is renewable for each year you are in school. It has an application deadline of May 1st.
Tuition Waiver Program

This program is offered to certain students who meet requirements determined by the Maine Department of Human Services. It is aimed at aiding foster children, adopted children, and children of public servants killed in the line of duty. Eligible students must attend a Maine public college or university – such as UMaine Orono or The University of Southern Maine.

There are many options available for higher-education funding for students from Maine. Be sure to speak with your high school guidance counselor about your options and to check out the state of Maine’s FAME website for more information.]]> Thu, 23 Dec 2010 23:41:57 +0000 3fe78a8acf5fda99de95303940a2420c http://www.usresident.com/content/articles/us-travel-guides/maine/famous-people-from-maine-r126
Longfellow?

As a famous son of Portland, Longfellow wrote many poems about the fair city by the bay, including one that reminisces about his youth spent enjoying “Deering’s Woods” (A park that still exists today). He also enjoyed frequent walks from Portland to Fort Williams, home of Portland Head Light, which is the most photographed lighthouse in the world today. Though Longfellow would later move to Cambridge, there is still a Longfellow House in Portland that is a popular destination for tourists, school groups, and literary-minded locals. There are also two streets parallel to each other named “Wadsworth” and “Longfellow” to commemorate the poet in the Oakdale neighborhood of the city.

George Mitchell?

Born in Waterville, right outside of the state capital of Augusta, this brilliant diplomat is a native son of Maine. George Mitchell has a distinguished record. Serving as United States Senate Majority Leader, was instrumental in the Northern Ireland Peace Process, was considered as a Supreme Court Appointment by President Clinton, and is now serving as the Middle East Envoy for President Obama. Outside of politics, Mitchell Served as Chairman of the Board at Disney, and earned a special place in New Englanders’ hearts when he served as a director in the Boston Red Sox organization.

Chester Greenwood?

Who is that, you ask? He invented earmuffs, of course! What a brilliant stroke of genius those Maine winters inspired back in the 1870s. A native of Farmington, Greenwood invented the earmuffs in the winter of 1873 at the age of fifteen while trying to keep warm while ice skating. Earmuffs were granted a patent in 1877, and they have been a popular winter accessory ever since.

Patrick Dempsey?

The dreamboat star of the hit show ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ is in fact a hometown boy of Lewiston. Discovered at an early age, Dempsey had roles in many movies beginning in 1985, and continuing through to today. The extraordinary success of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ has made Dempsey a superstar, though he has not forgotten his Maine roots. After his mother was diagnosed with cancer, Dempsey created the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing at Central Maine Medical Center.

Are there more?

Of course there are. Many artists and authors have found inspiration in the natural beauty of Maine. From Andrew and Jamie Wyeth to to E.B. White and Harriet Beecher Stowe, the nation’s 23rd state has been and currently is home to a wide variety of highly accomplished people.]]> Sun, 19 Dec 2010 09:21:03 +0000 ffeed84c7cb1ae7bf4ec4bd78275bb98 http://www.usresident.com/content/articles/us-travel-guides/maine/hiking-the-appalachian-trail-r69 The Appalachian Trail is more than just a hiking place, it’s a living being. Everywhere you look, you will see a wide range of plants, trees and wildlife, as well as campsites, hostels, rivers, creeks, waterfalls and streams. The Trail is alive with movement. Fish swim in the waters, as do turtles, muskrat and beaver. Chipmunks and squirrels scurry through patches of wildflowers. Greens of every hue are painted across the landscape. Hundreds of species of birds splash the air with color, while eagles soar on the wind currents.

Hikers have dubbed the Appalachian Trail, "the long green tunnel," because of the diversity of plants, trees and shrubs growing along the path. Everything is green.

The Appalachian Trail is not an easy hike. Only about ten percent of those who begin the hike actually go its entire length. The Trail can be hiked in all four seasons and each brings new wonders to the eye of the hiker. It’s awesome at all times of the year.

There’s no rhyme or reason to who can or can’t hike the entire Trail. A blind man has hiked the entire length, as has an eight year old child. Senior citizens diabetics and a man with MS have successfully made the trek. All you need is a great deal of determination.

Every moment you’re on the Trail, brings a sense of wonder, as well as a sense and tranquility. Your soul is at peace in this marvelous world of nature. There’s no place on Earth that brings you so close to your creator. Make the experience whatever you’d like it to be.

Hike the blue blaze and the white blaze trail, but be sure you don’t get caught on blue trails that are impossible for you to hike. This can mean re-tracing your steps, though the wonders that unfold before your eyes are worth the extra hike.

Set your pace. Whether it’s ten or twenty miles a day, you want to take in all the beauty along the way. Stop to take in panoramic views that will leave you breathless. If your group wants to hike twenty miles a day and you are a fifteen mile a day hiker, then it’s your decision of whether to try and keep up or to hike at your own pace. One rule of thumb here; don’t influence other hikers to press themselves over their limit. Each hiker needs to stay in his own comfort zone.

The Trail gives you time to access your inner being and find out where you are and where you fit into the scheme of things in the world. It can change your way of thinking, your outlook on life, your personality and your life goals. It can make you stronger, not only bodily, but spiritually. The Trail can help you become a happy individual.

There are a few places where you will run into a dangerous situation while hiking the Trail. There are rock walls in the Whites and some stream crossings can present hazards, but the most dangerous places you will encounter are railroad crossings, shelters and towns. In other words, anywhere you come into contact with humans. The best advice that you can heed is to use caution and common sense. The crime rate on the Trail is almost nil, outside of villages and towns.

The animals along the Trail don’t really bother hikers. As long as you don’t corner them or get between them and their young, you’re fairly safe. Try to avoid skunks at all costs. They may look cute, but they can end your hike quickly. Most animals come into campsites looking for food, so take proper precautions and don’t leave food setting out.

Realistically if you want to hike the entire Trail, it will take you four to six months. If you don’t have this amount of time, be sure to hike sections of the trail. Though the time may be shorter, the experience is just as awesome. Whatever choice you make, the Trail will be the most awesome experience of your life.]]> Sun, 28 Nov 2010 15:03:38 +0000 3636638817772e42b59d74cff571fbb3