I got to briefly question U.S. Sen. John McCain, R - Arizona, decades ago at a Bath Iron Works event I covered. He was completely approachable, his answers thoughtful. He reminded me of two Maine Democrats I used to interview a lot back then, former Gov. Joe Brennan and U.S. Sen. George Mitchell.

Class is class, in any party.

In remembering John McCain, let’s respect and be proud of all Americans who have been prisoners of war. I thought of him Sunday when I thanked a Vietnam veteran for his service.

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At wiscassetnewspaper.com this week, we welcome longtime journalist and Wiscasset summer resident Frank Barnako as a blogger. I used to see him on CBS  and have gotten to talk with him many a time in recent years, since he and his artist wife Donna Barnako frequent the great Wiscasset events we cover. They have been lead sponsors of this year’s Wiscasset Art Walk.

He has an easy, intelligent writing style. Check out his first entry, “Building a new powerhouse” that touches on Wiscasset’s Peregrine Turbine Technologies, on our desktop homepage’s left-hand section for bloggers, or in the talk section of our site. We’re calling the blog, “Man about Wiscasset.”

And lastly, welcome to Wiscasset to the buyers of the former Musical Wonder House on High Street, who are making it their home and who plan to open a tavern on Main Street. With the controversies and other not so pleasant news that pops up here and in any town, and that we report daily online and weekly in print, it was all exciting news to get to report Monday night and I’ve heard and seen since, many of you were excited to hear it, too.