Life is filled with relationship firsts: First day at school, graduation; first dates, the first kiss, first child. And, although it cannot be predicted, for many, too many of us, there is also the first derogatory comment, the first slap, punch ... the beginning of violence and control by someone who claims to love us.

During the pandemic, I was transfixed by a series of short documentaries sharing food stories of grandmothers around the world, filmed by their grandchildren. Each vignette of “Grandma’s Project” was both completely foreign to me and totally familiar. Filmed in places I had never been, in languages I didn’t understand — grandmothers making Moskva Torta in Moscow, Tortilla de Patates in Spain, Molokheya in Egypt. What surprising feelings these little films stirred up!

Maine has agreed to let Wiscasset be in the next batch of schools serving special education to children younger than school-age, if the local school department says yes. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kim Andersson told the school committee Feb. 25, she received a "Congratulations" earlier that day confirming the school department can be in cohort 2 of a program stemming from a 2024 law that will apply across the state in 2028.

Worms are known for being industrious so what better way to celebrate Wiscasset Wormfest this year than by awarding scholarships to Wiscasset Middle High School graduating seniors with the most volunteer hours?

Event committee members and scholarship coordinators Lucy Oyster and Tracey Whitney announced that three scholarships of $2,500 will be created this year. "The Wiscasset Wormfest Scholarship is designed to recognize students who have made it a priority to give back to the community through volunteerism," they wrote in an email to Wiscasset Newspaper.

Alna Volunteer Fire Department welcomed Wiscasset Middle High School students Jan. 29 for the students to gain a deeper appreciation of civic service and the importance of volunteer fire departments in the heart of Maine communities. 

The 2025 Windjammer Days will shine a spotlight on the dedicated individuals who have served, are serving, or are preparing to serve in one of the most respected branches of the U.S. military: the Coast Guard. From active-duty members and retired veterans to the bright future leaders currently enrolled at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, we’ll explore their personal stories, their contributions to the community, and the impact they've made on the nation's maritime security.

It’s not too early or too late to prune your apple trees!

Boothbay Region Land Trust invites you to join us on Thursday, March 20 from 10-11:30 a.m. at Oak Point Farm for Apple Tree Pruning 101. Whether you’re a beginner or just looking to refresh your knowledge, this workshop will cover the essential skills for maintaining healthy, productive apple trees.

When school is out, the woods are open!

Coastal Senior College (CSC) is pleased to announce its series of spring 2025 courses in Knox and Lincoln counties.

Student leaders and aspiring journalists may be eligible for scholarships from the Maine Community Foundation (MaineCF). 

The Guy P. Gannett Scholarship provides support for students majoring in journalism or a field reasonably related, including print, broadcast or electronic media. 

The scholarship has awarded more than 170 scholarships totaling $4 million since 2000. In 2024, 21 scholarships totaling $211,000 were awarded. 

Graduating high school seniors who have demonstrated leadership skills are encouraged to apply for the Chet Jordan Leadership Award.  

At Wiscasset Elementary School, Occupational Therapist Amanda Fortier is revolutionizing how students learn essential life skills through creative and engaging methods. Her innovative approach combines traditional occupational therapy with school-wide initiatives that make learning fun for all students.

Between 1944 and 1946, how did more than 4,000 German prisoners of war come to call Maine home? The story of why Maine Congresswoman Margaret Chase Smith and Senator Owen Brewster petitioned the federal government to ship these prisoners to Maine and the lasting impact they had on the Mainers who encountered them has been a largely forgotten chapter of the state’s history. 

Grandfather clock sentries stand on either side of the entrance door. Crisp white walls and rich wood display cases present a wide array of nautically themed antique items. Paintings, sculpture, ship models, dioramas, nautical equipment and tools; silver, books, clocks, fishing gear, scrimshaw … it’s time to journey into the past at the new East Boothbay Trading Co.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and Healthy Lincoln County are excited to announce a comprehensive Responsible Safe Beverage training session this April aimed at enhancing safe alcohol-serving practices in local establishments.  The training is designed to reduce the risk of alcohol-related incidents and ensure that businesses are operating within the state’s legal guidelines. 

Joh  Griffith Chaney (Jan. 12, 1876 – Nov. 22, 1916) is known as the author Jack London. Among his short stories is the 1908 classic "To Build A Fire," set in the Yukon. English 12 student Owen St. Pierre donned snowshoes and ventured out on the Wiscasset Community Center trails in February to find out what it's really like to build a fire... in a snow squall!

Wiscasset Advanced Placement (AP) History students studied historic Head Tide in Alna Jan. 28.

The Head Tide mills were in a busy village that also had apple orchards, boat building, and fishing. The Head Tide Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. 

The Lincoln Theater and sponsor Stepping Stone Housing are pleased to bring a screening of the powerful documentary “Building Hope: Ending Homelessness in Maine” to Damariscotta. The film, which is playing as a free screening on Monday, Feb. 24 at 6 p.m. is thought-provoking, shining a light on the challenges of homelessness in Maine and the inspiring efforts of individuals and organizations working to create lasting solutions. A talkback on Maine’s housing crisis immediately follows the film.

In his peak seasons, Ken Elowe would build as many as 22 toboggans a year. In recent weeks, however, he’s been focused on construction oversight of three new wooden downhill racers—a project sponsored by the Carpenter’s Boat Shop and two groups of six students from Great Sale Bay School (GSB).

For Elowe and Carpenter’s it’s the second time around using tobacco-building as a teamwork-building program: A year ago, a small group of students at Maine Academy of Natural Sciences (MANS) trekked 70 miles from their Fairfield campus for the initial engagement.

Before the teachers' contract that runs through August 2026, some teachers could make more just about anywhere else in the area, Wiscasset Superintendent of Schools Kim Andersson said Feb. 11. Presenting the latest 2025-26 budget draft, Andersson said the contractually obligated, 5% overall pay hike is partly why the budget draft would ask 10.6% more in local taxes than this year's budget did, but less state aid is "the kicker," she said. 

Fourth graders at Wiscasset Elementary School had a flavorful lesson in both gardening and math as they used fresh basil from their hydroponic garden to make pesto. The garden, funded by a generous grant from Maine Agriculture in the Classroom, has been an exciting hands-on project for students to explore gardening practices and nutrition.