As the Boothbay Register begins its 143rd year of existence, I am taking this opportunity to thank the staff and others.

Readers, thank you for continuing to buy this independent weekly — one of the few left in Maine — and showing interest in what we do. We hope to think we do everything correctly each week, but we also know that it’s not always the case. There were some bumps in the road in regards to correcting what we wrote, but thankfully not too many that couldn’t be fixed.

Advertisers, thank you for being our lifeblood. We hope you had a great year in 2018 and we wish you even more success in 2019. We couldn’t do it without you.

As the editor, I wish to also thank my staff. I have worked with Pat Schmid and Kathy Frizzell the longest – 30-plus and 25-plus years, respectively. Two of the more familiar faces in the community who help keep this newspaper going, along with Sarah Morley. I appreciate what you do. I’d also like to express my appreciation to the reporting staff of Lisa Kristoff, Bill Pearson, Joe Charpentier, Gina Hamilton, Sue Mello, and contributors, Jane Carpenter, Craig Lancaster, Kellie Bigos and the newest one, Margaret Hoffman. And my job is made easier because of the Wiscasset staff of Gina Hamilton, contributor Phil Di Vece and my assistant editor, copy editor and reporter Susan Johns. And let’s not forget the behind the scenes people — production and front office — Steve Edwards, Dave Parkhurst, Robin Ford and Gary Dow. And last, but not least, thank you to our COO Kipp Wright and publisher A.R. Tandy.

Here’s hoping that we all rise to greater heights in 2019.

Happy New Year everyone.