meet our team

Aislinn Sarnacki has worked as an outdoor journalist for over a decade. She’s a columnist for the Bangor Daily News, and she is the host of Maine Public’s outdoor TV show “Borealis.” A lifelong Mainer and nature enthusiast, she’s the author of three hiking guidebooks, teaches journalism at the University of Maine, and is a registered Maine guide. Learn more at aislinnsarnacki.com.

After a lifetime love of reading and writing, Robin Clifford Wood landed in Maine 23 years ago and blossomed as a teacher, author, and poet. In Maine, she completed an MFA in creative writing from Stonecoast, published her award-winning book “The Field House,” and wrote for Port City Life, the BDN, Bangor Metro, Décor Maine, the Maine Review, and more.

Emily Morrison is a high school English teacher, freelance writer, and graduate writing instructor from coastal Maine. Since 2000, Emily has been teaching teens, raising children, running marathons, and writing columns. Emily has written for Bangor Daily News, Portland Press Herald, and Journal of Maine Education. Her writing is humorous and frequently insightful. Read more from her at emilydenbowmorrison.com.

Marissa Donovan is a contributing writer for the Bangor Metro and Bangor Daily News Special Sections. She was born and raised in Deer Isle, and graduated from Colby-Sawyer College in New London, NH, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in creative writing. In her downtime she enjoys reading, listening to podcasts, and gardening. Marissa is always seeking out feel-good stories and upcoming events in Maine to share with Metro readers.

Richard Shaw is a Bangor native who lives and breathes local history. In 2021, the city named him its honorary historian and presented him with a key to the city. When Dick isn’t writing freelance articles, providing television commentary, or compiling best-selling vintage photo books for Arcadia Publishing, he might be photographing old graveyards or haunted houses. His long careers with the Bangor Daily News and the City of Bangor have provided him with fodder for untold stories and editorial opportunities. On his horizon is a possible novel involving Bangor’s colorful lumbering era.

Katie Bingham-Smith is a full-time freelance writer. She’s a staff writer for websites such as Scary Mommy, Grown and Flown and The Girlfriend. You can also follow her fashion adventures on Instagram @katiebinghamsmith.

Sarah Walker Caron is a Pushcart-nominated essayist as well as a food writer and author. Her work has appeared in Farmer-ish, The Washington Post, the Boston Globe, SheKnows, and more. Her latest cookbook, “Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts: Official Wizarding World Cookbook,” is available where books are sold. Read more from her at sarahscucinabella.com.

Anne Gabbianelli has enjoyed a robust career as a freelance writer, broadcast journalist, and college professor. Her articles about the fascinating people and history of Maine have been published in several magazines, newspapers, and other periodicals. She finds her subjects as she travels throughout the state, discovering hidden towns, visiting museums, and exploring local lore. Anne is also a hospice volunteer who meets amazing people who often share their life stories with her. 

Crystal Sands is a writing professor, homesteader, and editor of the journal Farmer-ish, a journal dedicated to farming arts and education. When she is not saving seeds or tending chickens, she is writing daily for the Farmer-ish blog. You can follow her adventures in homesteading in rural Maine at www.farmer-ish.net. 

Jodi Hersey is a reporter with ABC7 & FOX22 in Bangor. Over the years, she’s had the privilege of writing for all sorts of platforms including television, radio, magazines, and newspapers. When she’s not working, Jodi enjoys giving back to her community by volunteering at a number of nonprofits. Jodi is a proud military wife, mom, and a huge fan of classic cars. 

Joanna Shawn Brigid “Bridey” O’Leary was born in Alexandria, Virginia, grew up in central Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, and now calls Sebec, Maine home. She graduated from Harvard University with a degree in English and earned a PhD in Victorian literature from Rice University. Bridey has served as a culinary consultant, food historian and travel/food critic for media outlets such as The Nosher, Let’s Go travel guides, Wine Enthusiast, HuffPost, the Onion, Texas Highways, Houstonia, and ColinCowie Weddings. Follow her writing and research projects at www.brideyoleary.com.

Stephanie Bouchard is an editor and writer based in the Midcoast. She writes about health/wellness, business, pets and Maine life and people. She has been published locally and nationally in publications such as the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram, the Working Waterfront, Island Journal, The Maine Monitor, WSJ.com, Caregiving, Chicago Health and Cosmopolitan magazines, MensHealth.com, and the Washington Post’s The Lily. Find her at stephaniebouchard.net.

Emily Baer is a freelance writer and artist based in Bucksport. Her work has appeared in various magazines and publications throughout New England and her curiosity about our state and its people is boundless. When she is not writing or making art, Emily enjoys exploring Maine’s many nooks and crannies with her young family and their neurotic dog, Billie.

Jasmine Cabanaw is an award-winning essayist and the Founder of Green Bamboo Publishing. She has over 20 years of experience as a journalist, editor, and content writer and is currently a Senior Account Manager at Pulse Marketing Agency. She’s the author of two children’s books and is a dance instructor in her spare time.

Jen Lynds is a freelance writer and adjunct English, communication, and journalism professor based in Houlton. She began her 25 year journalism career as a freelance writer for weekly newspapers and spent 16 years as a full-time reporter for the Bangor Daily News. Various online publications have published her work. When not writing or teaching, she loves spending time with her family, her two dogs, and her beloved husband, Danny.