The New Commons Film Series presents Wild Nights With Emily, a powerful 2018 comedic film that explores Emily Dickinson's writing and same-sex relationship. Starring Molly Shannon as Dickinson, the acclaimed film ""wrestles with serious themes, dramatizes fully realized relationships, and poses pointed questions about how… Continue Reading "The New Commons Film Series: Wild Nights With Emily"

Join Dr. Kristen Case (Professor of English at UMF) as she explores Dickinson’s striking ability to pull readers into her poetry through her use of elision, omission, and negative space. Looking closely, we will find in the blanks, dashes, and silences of her poems… Continue Reading "Kristen Case, “Making Nothing Happen: Emily Dickinson’s Poetic Magic”"

Join the New Commons Project for a day-long exploration and celebration of the poetry of Emily Dickinson! Schedule of Events 10:00 AM-11:00 AM Student panel: Natalka Harris, Sylvie Haslam, Michaela Terlizzi 11:45 AM-1:00 PM “Composed of nows”" A keynote conversation on Emily Dickinson today,… Continue Reading "Emily Dickinson Symposium"

Directed by John Chester, The Biggest Little Farm (2018) chronicles hi eight-year quest with his wife Molly as they trade city living for 200 acres of barren farmland and a dream to harvest in harmony with nature. Through dogged perseverance and embracing the opportunity… Continue Reading "The New Commons Film Series: The Biggest Little Farm"

This panel discussion will feature three contemporary back-to-landers in Maine, who will share from their experience and reflect on the challenges and values that have endured for them over the long haul. They’ll describe their initial inspirations, the highs and the lows, and their… Continue Reading "Back to the Land Panel With Julia Bouwsma, Chris Knapp, and Rich Lee"

Join Dr. Gretchen Legler, UMF Professor of Creative Writing, as she shares selections from her new book, Woodsqueer. She presents her adventures in homesteading as both a deeply rooted earthy journey and a spiritual quest.

Alissa Hessler’s presentation draws from her experience founding and producing Urban Exodus, a website and podcast that documents the inspirational stories of contemporary people leaving the city to craft a meaningful rural life. The presentation will feature her photo-documentation, interviews with participants, and reflection… Continue Reading "Keynote: Alissa Hessler, Urban Exodus and LIVING THE GOOD LIFE"

Like gender and sexuality, food has been the subject of intense debate, conflict, and regulation throughout history. This talk focuses on the New England cookery movement and the diverse palettes it sought to standardize and tame. Ardis Cameron, Ph.D. is Distinguished Professor Emeritus in… Continue Reading "Ardis Cameron, “Policing the Palette: The Disciplinary Work of the Boston Cooking School”"

The America's Test Kitchen team recreates a 12-course feast straight from the pages of Fannie Farmer's Boston Cooking-School Cook Book. The documentary also reaches back into the history of cookware, cooking and the food industry to understand how Victorians shopped, cooked, ate and entertained.

Local farmer Erica Emery will explore how to center food and farming as the foundation for community sustainability. From traditional food commons of the past to Fannie Farmer’s cookbook to community gardens, let’s take a look at how food production and consumption can be… Continue Reading "Keynote: Erica Emery, “Common Tastes: Food as the Foundation for Community”"

Ashley Montgomery (Assistant Dean of Teaching & Learning Assessment at UMF), who nominated The Boston Cooking-School Cookbook to the New Commons Project, will be offering a Fannie-Farmer-inspired cooking demonstration at the Fiddlehead Festival! In addition to learning about historic recipes and in-season cooking, you'll… Continue Reading "Ashley Montgomery, “Recipes from the Heart Cooking Demo”"

You are invited to the launch of Things We Carry, our very own community cookbook! This book includes family recipes and reflections from the residents of Franklin County. The book was organized by Daily Bulldog food columnist Ashley Montgomery and created in partnership with… Continue Reading "Things We Carry: A Franklin County Community Cookbook"