There are many ways to use Twitter. Some use it to catch up with friends, while others follow news and events, and unfortunately, there are also some that just post follow trains and hashtags. If you’re looking to avoid users that just flood your feed with Justin Bieber quotes and emoticons, here’s a list of people that actually contribute to a more enriching social media experience.These local accounts will be sure to provide a constant stream of useful, informative and entertaining content for USM students and southern Maine residents.

Sarah Gelber – @207foodie

Follow USM alumni Sarah Gelber for some solid advice about where to eat around Portland. She’s a blogger who writes reviews on local restaurants and food trucks around the city. When Sarah isn’t introducing you to great Portland places, she’s tweeting about general food news as well as exciting and innovative recipes you can use at home. Her personal account is @sarahgelber #207foodie

https://twitter.com/207foodie/statuses/389885190215979008

<blockquote><p>Happy national dessert day! Here's mine: mint chocolate chip froyo! <a href=”https://twitter.com/search?q=%23207foodie&src=hash”>#207foodie</a> <a href=”http://t.co/dEf8eOAavj”>pic.twitter.com/dEf8eOAavj</a></p>— 207foodie (@207foodie) <a href=”https://twitter.com/207foodie/statuses/389885190215979008″>October 14, 2013</a></blockquote>

BenMcCanna

Self-proclaimed as an “occasional beach bum and reluctant headbanger”, Ben McCanna is also a news writer which makes his tweets hold local importance. Ben’s tweets include local news links, sarcasm, humor and opinions on pop culture. He’s generous with the retweet button but strictly for other journalists, politicians and for The Forecaster, the publication he works for.

<blockquote><p><a href=”https://twitter.com/NoahHurowitz”>@NoahHurowitz</a> This Upworthy headline is the CRAZIEST thing you've EVER read on the Internet. EVER. Seriously. <a href=”https://twitter.com/search?q=%23SlateClickBait&src=hash”>#SlateClickBait</a></p>— Ben McCanna (@BenMcCanna) <a href=”https://twitter.com/BenMcCanna/statuses/390173572465164288″>October 15, 2013</a></blockquote>

Holly Nunan – @hollynunan – https://twitter.com/hollynunan

This musician and media mogul is constantly cranking out cool content. Holly’s Twitter page includes information on upcoming concerts, music news and often witty personal perspectives. Her links come mostly from her personal blog Newz by the Nunz which is a great preview of the future music performances in Portland’s bars and venues.

<blockquote><p>Night one of two nights at The State Theatre, Portland, Maine tonight with The Black Crowes! <a href=”http://t.co/rNHejpkgTL”>http://t.co/rNHejpkgTL</a></p>— Holly Nunan (@hollynunan) <a href=”https://twitter.com/hollynunan/statuses/390185574948425728″>October 15, 2013</a></blockquote>

Mike Antonellis – @seadogsradio – https://twitter.com/seadogsradio

Baseball fans might recognize this name because it belongs to the man who is the voice behind the Portland Sea Dogs. Mike’s feed includes game scores and info on everything baseball related. He usually replies to all his mentions and it’s nice to gain some insight from the host of the morning radio show on 96.3.

<blockquote><p>ALCS Game 1 pitching matchup of Jon Lester vs. Anibal Sanchez, both pitched with the <a href=”https://twitter.com/PortlandSeaDogs”>@PortlandSeaDogs</a> in 2005.</p>— Mike Antonellis (@seadogsradio) <a href=”https://twitter.com/seadogsradio/statuses/388695079767928832″>October 11, 2013</a></blockquote>

Jason Perkins – @allagashJason – https://twitter.com/allagashJason

This brewmaster offers a lot to learn about the process of making, packaging and tasting of one of Portland’s favorite beverages: beer.

<blockquote><p>Prepping for a 10 gal pilot of our future collaboration with <a href=”https://twitter.com/SierraNevada”>@SierraNevada</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/AllagashBrewing”>@AllagashBrewing</a>#beercamptour#craftbeer <a href=”http://t.co/gWzCXm6DA6″>pic.twitter.com/gWzCXm6DA6</a></p>— Jason perkins (@allagashJason) <a href=”https://twitter.com/allagashJason/statuses/385746932653907968″>October 3, 2013</a></blockquote>

Tom Bell – @TomBellPortland – https://twitter.com/TomBellPortland

Tom is the president of the News Guild of Maine and his tweets certainly reflect that. While he’s based out of Portland with the Press Herald, he often reports on national news as well. His tweets help readers view Maine on a more national perspective, often blunt and sarcastic.

<blockquote><p>I don't know about Wall Street, but what I see in Maine tells me that the economy is slipping.</p>— Tom Bell (@TomBellPortland) <a href=”https://twitter.com/TomBellPortland/statuses/389154128342949889″>October 12, 2013</a></blockquote>

Michael Shepherd – @mikeshepherdME – https://twitter.com/mikeshepherdME

Mike hails from the small artsy town of Hallowell, but his tweets are often relevant to all residents of our state of Maine. Catch up on politics, criminal activityand other odd hilarities you wouldn’t think are normally associated with Maine. He’s a clever tweeter and his links are interesting enough to be worth your time.

<blockquote><p>Proud to be a Mainer: Study says we drink the most of any state but are 42nd in complaining about hangovers. <a href=”http://t.co/wnugJy3CaA”>http://t.co/wnugJy3CaA</a></p>— Michael Shepherd (@mikeshepherdME) <a href=”https://twitter.com/mikeshepherdME/statuses/389098429835513856″>October 12, 2013</a></blockquote>

Andrew Kessler- @AndrewAKessler- https://twitter.com/AndrewAKessler

Most tweets from Andrew’s account will make you laugh. His tweets are personal, but very relatable, all the while making sure to avoid annoying lingos like “lol,” “plz,” and “haha.” He also runs a photography blog called “Unseen Portland” which is a community submitted collection of photos taken in Portland “stripped of pretense.” The result is a remarkably accurate visual portrayal of our city.

<blockquote><p>Saw a man on a unicycle this morning riding down my street. Didn't really surprise me. Not sure what that means.</p>— Andrew Kessler (@AndrewAKessler) <a href=”https://twitter.com/AndrewAKessler/statuses/389773414762033152″>October 14, 2013</a></blockquote>

Portland Old Port – @PortlandOldPort – https://twitter.com/PortlandOldport

If you want to spend the weekend out on the town this account makes it easy to find something fun to do with its extensive posts about event listings and bar/restaurant reviews. Everything from farmers markets, wine tasting, concerts, comedy shows, to art exhibitions and movie screenings gets covered here in 140 characters or less! Chances are if you’re apprehensive of checking out a local spot, you can get a glimpse of what it’s like through this account.

<blockquote><p>Tried <a href=”https://twitter.com/SalvageBBQ”>@SalvageBBQ</a> tonight and it was epic! The staff was great- they even let us try some specials not yet on the menu!</p>— Portland Old Port (@PortlandOldport) <a href=”https://twitter.com/PortlandOldport/statuses/386297959228641280″>October 5, 2013</a></blockquote>

Kathleen Pierce – @PierceNews – https://twitter.com/PierceNews

You never know what kind of content Kathleen will post next but its almost always interesting. She’s a feature writer for the Bangor Daily News but that doesn’t limit the subject of her tweets. Her tweets are all over the place. Some might be ravings of a newly opened coffee shop, while some may be opinions on more serious issues like the legalization of pot in the city of Portland. No matter the subject, her headlines will be engaging enough to have you click and find out more.

<blockquote><p>Casco Bay Bridge closed as police deal with suicidal man <a href=”http://t.co/YqLAR5Uu3L”>http://t.co/YqLAR5Uu3L</a> via <a href=”https://twitter.com/bangordailynews”>@bangordailynews</a></p>— Kathleen Pierce (@PierceNews) <a href=”https://twitter.com/PierceNews/statuses/385560088708014080″>October 3, 2013</a></blockquote>

Corey Templeton – @coreytempleton – https://twitter.com/coreytempleton

Corey’s Twitter account features inspiring, creative, and professional photography all taken in the Portland, Maine area. Corey runs a blog that he often promotes on his Twitter called “Portland Daily Photo.” Putting out at least one eye catching photo a day, Corey’s account is also inadvertently a great way to learn about places around Portland that often don’t get that much attention. His photos are well-shot with well thought out captions that give his fantastic photos that much more meaning.

<blockquote><p>Barge holding mystery structure due in Portland Harbor, via <a href=”https://twitter.com/PressHerald”>@pressherald</a> <a href=”http://t.co/XwuuqReosq”>http://t.co/XwuuqReosq</a> | Kind of looks like something from Ikea.</p>— Corey Templeton (@coreytempleton) <a href=”https://twitter.com/coreytempleton/statuses/388252994631786496″>October 10, 2013</a></blockquote>

TEDxDirigo – @TEDxDirigo – https://twitter.com/TEDxDirigo

TED talks are an incredible resource for college students. They provide a way for students to soak up fascinating and often life-changing information in what may be some of the most interesting lectures you’ve ever attended. Although TED talks are worldwide with thousands of lectures available online, did you know that you can attend a live event in Maine? Following this account gets you access to all the latest information on live TED events going on in our state. They also tweet thought provoking questions, informative articles and inspirational quotes.

<blockquote><p>"The tweet that shook Portland's Somalis" – <a href=”https://twitter.com/KJ_Online”>@KJ_Online</a> <a href=”http://t.co/rfJ55YGLNj”>http://t.co/rfJ55YGLNj</a></p>— TEDxDirigo (@TEDxDirigo) <a href=”https://twitter.com/TEDxDirigo/statuses/384722038919028736″>September 30, 2013</a></blockquote>

Local Picks: Local Twitter Accounts

Ben McCanna- @BenMcCanna – https://twitter.com/BenMcCanna

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