I root for the underdog, the dark horse no one gives a second look, or someone whose day has passed. It’s cold out of the limelight but, fan-less and perhaps friendless, they keep going toward a goal that might be the limelight or the most basic of goals, to survive.

Wiscasset has been the occasional subject of out-of-town or out-of-state stories, as a town that lost its golden, nuclear goose and is still recovering. It’s a true story. But it’s only half the story, and not the best part. The people of Wiscasset are strong, and they don’t give up, even if they don’t always agree.

The worry would be if they did.

Quiet is nice for star-gazing, but a town that stops talking, arguing, petitioning and otherwise speaking its conflicted mind may be one that cares a little less about its future, and tries a little less to be the best. Wiscasset does not have this problem.

The debate over the state’s downtown plans continues a year after it began. It will probably keep going long after the project is done. Our Facebook page had comments this week showing views continue to vary over the traffic lights the state put in at routes One and 27 last year. That’s Wiscasset, because it still cares.

Along with that reason for optimism are other glints, from a group of investors picking up the primary school, hopefully for something taxable; to Sheepscot Valley Regional School Unit’s interest in Wiscasset’s pre-kindergarten; and Wiscasset Parks and Recreation continuing to kick its offerings up a notch in 2017. Bob MacDonald called me Monday morning about a first-time event coming up at the community center, an indoor carnival with features for grownups as well as the kids, like carnivals and fairs we may have gone to growing up.

Bob is always enthusiastic, just like Director Todd Souza and other staff like Bonnie Blagdon, recently thrilled at the turnout for the father-daughter dance she works on every year. Thanks, Wiscasset, for offering the carnival. And thanks, Bob, for asking us to help get the word out. The news was a nice way to start the week. And those who attend the event this Friday and Saturday should get to end their week on a nice note, from the sounds of it.

Thanks, Sam Strozier, Wiscasset Middle High School’s lone wrestler, who went far this year in competition. Without a team in town, you trained with my high school, Morse, in Bath. And you have made Wiscasset proud.

And thank you to the medical staff in Portland and Boston who cared for three very sick Wiscasset babies, helping them get well enough to get back home recently. Thanks to the triplets’ family earlier on for answering questions that were hard to ask, and for letting us spread their joy at the babies’ improvements. It’s a strong family, like Wiscasset.