What bird is more iconic here in Maine than the common loon? In summer, there’s nothing more stirring than hearing the wailing cry of a loon echoing across the still waters of a Maine lake on…
Talk
From the editor
You see why I don’t bet on … anything! Last week’s column is a case in point. I predicted right two out of four NFL games. Fifty percent, and if I bet, I probably would have come out even. So we…
From the assistant editor
We cannot take credit for all the good things that have happened around Wiscasset in 2025, since announcing plans here to list five good things per month. Connecting the two would be presumptuous…
Joe's Journal
On Monday, Donald John Trump, 78, became the 47th president of the United States.
If the pundits are right, and they probably are in this case, he has a fat laundry list of executive orders…
The next public supper will be Jan. 22. The meal consists of corn chowder, salad, biscuits, baked ham, mac & cheese, peas, and…
letter to the editor
Dear Editor:
The angry white men who have flocked under Trump’s banner have every right to be angry. We have seen the American dream slowly evaporate. Our standard of…
letter to the editor
Dear Editor:
A frequent contributor to these pages reassures us that global warming is, in the memorable words of Vivek Ramaswamy, “a hoax.”
Selecting a particular city’s record high…
Getting tickets to top concerts is tough – don’t let scammers make it harder. With most concert venues switching to digital tickets only and concert demand through the roof, criminals are…
A Bird's Tale
We are fortunate here in Maine that winter brings an abundance of waterfowl, including some species that can’t be seen in many other states. Common eiders make their downy nests on the ground…
From the editor
Between the expanded college football playoff, bowl games and NFL’s 18-week season, and now the divisional round of games this weekend, it has been a busy fall, and now winter, for TV football…
From the assistant editor
In 2025, look here monthly for five good things that happened in or for Wiscasset or its neighbor towns. Had this idea come in '26, it would have likely been six good things, and still can be then…
Where It's At
Photographer Michael Giglia’s image of an osprey lifting up off the water carrying an alewife in each talon was creating quite a stir last week. I went to see the show at Southport Memorial…
Joe's Journal
Next week, the 45th president of the United States will become the 47th. Our nation wishes him well. Me too.
But as he moves back into the White House, he will find an 800-pound gorilla…
Letter to the editor
Dear Editor:
The concept of consensus has no place in science. The test of a theory is the continuing support of the hypothesis. No scientist would say, “the science is…
With temperatures dropping in many states, scammers are turning up the heat on their deceptive tactics. Each winter, criminals pose as utility company representatives, claiming a missed payment…
From the assistant editor
Wiscasset is a foody town, an art lover's town, and many more things, such as with the latest dealership looking likely for Route One, even more of a place to car shop, too. Recent months' and…
A Bird's Tale
Depending on your point of view, the number of new books on birds published each year is either a fabulous blessing or a confusing babble. Maybe a little of both.
We, personally, love to…
From the editor
There was fair warning but the weather in southern Delaware on Monday was a shocker, nonetheless. Eight to 12 inches of snow fell on a state that doesn’t normally get that much snow in one fell…
Joe's Journal
As I write this missive, the talking heads warn us a massive storm is set to wallop much of the nation. For once, it looks like the winter snow wallop will spend much of her time south of us. So…
Meanwhile ... back in the studio
I still remember the first time I saw one of Sandra Chase Morrissey’s paintings. I was at one of Boothbay Region Art Foundation’s annual shows maybe five years ago? What initially attracted me to…
Letter to the editor
Dear Editor:
The Dec. 26 editorial page had a rebuttal, or more accurately, an ad hominem attack on my letter “Record High Temperatures” published Dec…
The next public supper will be Jan. 8. The menu will be carrot soup, salad, herb bread, lemon chicken, rice pilaf, broccoli and cheese and cream puffs with chocolate sauce. The cost is $10…
Over one-third of U.S. adults who have bought something through an ad on their social media feed report being defrauded, according to a new AARP survey. Don’t let scammers ad-vertise their way…
A Bird's Tale
This column arrived too late for print in the Jan. 2 issue.
It all started with a discussion of harlequin ducks.
With a few days off at the holidays, we were thinking…
The morning news sometimes gives me ideas for this column. Early Monday, WGME Channel 13 had a nationally generated segment on how learning a new hobby (the spot featured arts and crafts) could…
From the assistant editor
Where are you? Who are you?
I know there is only one Tom Brady, like only one Tiger Woods or Big Papi, or Michelle Kwan, but there is always the next great one, to inspire their generation…
letter to the editor
Dear Editor,
As I write this letter it has been three years since leaving my abuser. Shortly after leaving, I had to sell my home and leave Boothbay…
Joe's Journal
This year, I joined much of America in a mini migration seeking Christmas joy.
The journey to Indianapolis was relatively painless unless you enjoy spending four hours in an aluminum tube…
'Round Town
“Moosey Brick,” a new fiction novel written by East Boothbay resident Matt Hurley, is available at Sherman’s bookstore and at Amazon and Barnes and Noble online. It is Matt’s first book, largely…
The next public supper will be Jan. 8. The menu will be carrot soup, salad, herb bread, lemon chicken, rice pilaf, broccoli and cheese and cream puffs with chocolate sauce. The cost is $10 for…
Overwhelmed by holiday bills? You’re not alone — and you don’t have to face your debt alone either. The New Year is the perfect time to take control of your finances — but beware of criminal…
Where It's At
We’ve just celebrated the Winter Solstice/Yule on the 21st…
A Bird's Tale
It was New York City or bust for us last week when we did a whirlwind road trip to Manhattan for an overnight to pick up our son who lives there along with his girlfriend and two cats. We arrived…
From the editor
Wow, 2024 is almost over! Was it good for you? Did you experience happiness or stress? You probably experienced both.
The presidential election, perhaps a health issue, the weather – those…
From the assistant editor
May 2025 bring more of the fun, community-bonding experiences that come from friends having ideas and sowing them, like the pet candidate posters in Wiscasset during 2024's election season and, on…
'Round Town
With our crazy, mixed-up weather at the moment, I figured I’d take a flyer and guess that full heavy snowfall may be absent from our near future. And, of course, as always, I could be wrong. But…
Joe's Journal
I didn’t buy any Christmas gifts this year. My family and friends don’t need anything. We all have too much stuff anyway, and, if my kids need new underwear and socks, they are on their own.
…The next public supper will be Jan. 8. The menu will be carrot soup, salad, herb bread, lemon chicken, rice pilaf, broccoli and cream puffs with chocolate sauce. The cost is $10 for members and $…
Community of Hope
As the year winds down, our work with individuals affected by domestic abuse continues to positively impact midcoast Maine residents. The influence of this public health crisis filters into all…
A Bird's Tale
On Saturday, we celebrated the start of the holiday birding season: the first day of the official National Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count (CBC) period! From Dec. 14 through Jan. 5, tens of…
From the editor
This column was originally published last December but I am revisiting it again here just before Christmas because I feel it has a good message.
Christmastime, as a kid, is an…
Joe's Journal
What can I tell you of Christmas that has not already passed through your smartphone, your TV set, or something called a Podcast?
All your favorite Christmas movies are running - it seems…
