Apples of Maine

An exhaustive identification guide dealing with 700 varieties of apples known to have been grown in Maine.

Apples of Maine

Review of an identification guide dealing with the history, physical, and cultural characteristics of local apples.

Maine Master Gardener

Includes contacts, newsletters, membership information, and publications.

Maine Master Gardener Web Site

Maine's Master Gardener Program provides participants with at least 40 hours of in-depth training in the art and science of horticulture. Trainees receive current, research based information from Extension educators and industry experts. In return, trained Master Gardeners volunteer their time and expertise in many ways for community programs and activities.

Maine Department of Conservation

Provides information on forest policy, forest fire control, insect and disease management.

Maine Forest Issues

A collection of papers discussing the destruction of forest lands and sustainability issues.

Maine Forest Service

Provides information on forest policy, forest fire control, insect and disease management.

Maine Pomoligical Society

Provides news and information about orchards and the apple industry. Links to member apple grower websites and addresses.

Maine Woodlot Assistance

Bringing good forestry management to landowners and small woodlot owners in Maine.

Project Canopy

Effort to help Maine people develop long-term community tree programs, to maximize the benefits that trees and forests provide.

(~) Accepting Diversity

Galatians 3:10, GNB; James 2:17, GNB; Romans 12:4-5, GNB; 1 Corinthians
12:12-13, 18-20, GNB; 1 Corinthians 13:12-13, GNB; Romans 14:13 and 19,
GNB; John 13:34-35, GNB; Romans 15:7, GNB; 1 Peter 4:8-10, NEB.

Snoopy was typing a manuscript, up on his kennel. Charlie Brown: 'What
are you doing Snoopy?' Snoopy: 'Writing a book about theology.' Charlie
Brown: 'Good grief. What's its title?' Snoopy (thoughtfully): 'Have You
Ever Considered You Might Be Wrong?'

This points up a central Christian dictum: God's truth is very much
bigger than our little systems.

Our Lord often made the point that God's fathering extended to all people
everywhere. He bluntly targeted the narrow nationalism of his own people,
particularly in stories like the Good Samaritan. Here the 'baddie' is a
hero. It's a wonderful parable underlining the necessity to love God
through loving your neighbour - and one's neighbour is the person who
needs help, whoever he or she may be. But note that love of neighbour is
more than seeking their conversion, then adding a few acts of mercy to
others in 'our group'. Jesus' other summary statements about the meaning
of religion and life in Matthew 23:23 and Luke 11:42 involve justice too:
attempting to right the wrongs my neighbour suffers.

'Ethnocentrism' is the glorification of my group. What often happens in
practice is a kind of spiritual apartheid: I'll do my thing and you do
yours - over there. Territoriality ('my place - keep out!') replaces
hospitality ('my place - you're welcome!'). I like Paul's commendation in
Philippians 2:19-21 of Timothy 'who really cares' when everyone else was
concerned with their own affairs.

Sometimes our non-acceptance of others' uniqueness has jealousy or
feelings of inferiority at its root. You have probably heard the little
doggerel, 'I hate the guys/ that criticise/ and minimise/ the other guys/
whose enterprise/ has made them rise/ above the guys/ that criticise/ and
minimise...'

In our global village we cannot avoid relating to 'different others'.
Indeed, marriage is all about two different people forming a unity in
spite of their differences. Those differences can of course be irritating
- for example when a 'lark' marries an 'owl' (but the Creator made both to
adorn his creation).

Even within yourself there are diverse personalities. If you are a 'right
brain' person, why not develop an interest in 'left brain' thinking?

The Lord reveals different aspects of divine truth to different branches
of the church. What a pity, then, to make our part of the truth the whole
truth. Martin Buber had the right idea when he said that the truth is not
so much in human bei