How many Maine people know, we wonder, that there are two species of cormorant that occur regularly in the state? If they do know that both double-crested cormorants and great cormorants occur here, do they know how to tell them apart?

We were musing about that because we spotted an immature great cormorant while walking our dog down along the river at Gardiner Waterfront Park on a recent rather balmy November late afternoon. We were able to tell it was an Immature great cormorant because of its white lower belly contrasting with its gray-brown chest and neck. Immature double-crested

As we head toward Thanksgiving when family and guests gather for a meal, it is inevitable that conversations happen while you wait for the turkey, duck, goose, ham, or whatever protein you are cooking gets done.

Whether it is politics (hopefully not), the weather, health concerns, family or other topics, conversations need to be civil so the holiday isn’t ruined by arguments before or after the meal.

We thought we would offer these tips to help you have great conversations with your loved ones or friends on the holiday, or at anytime. These were found at https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com

Presidential campaigns just aren’t what they used to be. Listen, campaigning using television, radio, social media, telephone calls and knocking on doors are child’s play compared to how candidates were promoted in our great, great, great, great grandfather’s time. Campaigns in the late 1800s were rollicking affairs even in small towns like Wiscasset.

They were occasions of great merriment featuring patriotic speeches, brass bands, fireworks, booming cannon salutes and times when jugs of white lighting and applejack were shared freely enough. The candidates, all men of course because

So, in last week's school committee meeting, some pretty stunning things were said about last month's propane incident at Wiscasset Middle High School. And while no workplace or any place is a good place for something inadvertent to occur with propane, we can probably all agree one of the worst is at a school, when school is in session.

The school department and other town departments will learn from the incident and every party's response during and after. Let us be thankful for what did not occur with the propane and that steps have been taken to avoid a repeat.

And let us be glad it has

About this time of year, I like to do an aerial inventory of how things look around the region. It’s just one of my weird indulgences. It  helps me understand what it's like to be a bird surveying good landing spots. Thankfully, I have never had to land anywhere but Wiscasset Municipal Airport, with one exception, the grass strip at Adam’s Pond where the water company now resides. Doc Andrews and I did a few ups and downs from there! Fortunately, my takeoffs and landings were well received.

So, with the airshow in mind, I gave my old dear friend Ann Walko a call to see if I could get on her

Fox News said it, so it must be true. Right?

It was said by the slick-haired talker on a roundtable chat show that hurls smarmy insults at Democrats, college grads, educators, and most other folks. You know him, he was the guy promoted to first-string evening duties when the other stars flamed out; one was fired after he cost the network some $787.5 million for parroting a bald-faced lie about crooked voting machines that he claimed cost Grandpa Don the 2020 election.

Well, the other night, I nearly fell out of my easy chair when this slick-haired guy opened his show by saying Grandpa Don’s

Have you been to see the 2024 Art in the Square at Boothbay Region Art Foundation? My advice: Get there for yourself and any art lovers on your holiday, birthday, or "just because" lists. Fifty-five artists have created mini-masterpieces on the 12" x 12" canvases that are $125 each. Mixed media, oil, acrylic, photography, collage; scenics, abstracts, still life and more … a medium and subject to tickle the imaginations of all.

Check out some of the artists: Roger Milinowski, Linda Osborn, Sandra Dunn, Andre Benoit, Wendy Clayton, Ann Hedgecock, Andie Elwell, Marjorie deGarmo, Virginia Forrest

Dear Editor:

Although not re-elected for a second term, I will be forever grateful to those who supported my campaign for reelection. There were so many who signed the nomination papers, contributed to the Clean Election Fund, spent time knocking on doors, were willing to place lawn signs on their property and wrote letters to the editor.  I must also thank those who encouraged me throughout the campaign and those who voted for me. 

Serving as the Representative for District 47 Alna, Jefferson, Whitefield and Wiscasset for the last two years has been an incredible experience. I have a much

Remember that epic party you can’t stop talking about? For years, I’ve been living on the fumes of a nineties late-night thing where I knew no one but somehow found myself pressed against the mirrored walls of a downtown New York apartment where a parrot held reign at the bar, opera music blasted from the bedroom, and the host and his publicist tangoed bare chested until dawn. As far as I know, there was no food.  

Maybe it’s a post-pandemic shift of mindset, or just the passing of years — I no longer need or want to be awed by a magician in roller skates. But I’m still looking for magic

Each monthly article will focus on seasonal, useful information to keep everyone informed about AARP topics, events, or just fun stuff to do. AARP was founded 60 years ago by a retired schoolteacher, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus. Since that time, AARP has been committed to the advancement of livable communities, social opportunities, meaningful advocacy and much more, all in an effort to help older adults and their families thrive as they age.  

November remains one of the most beautiful months in Maine with vibrant leaves still clinging to the trees before they float down to the ground. Our

The sun might be shining on solar energy, but buyers beware – costly solar panel scams could leave you in the dark with massive loans and higher bills. Here’s what you need to know to stay in the light against this scam.

The sales pitch often starts with a solar salesperson knocking on the front door, calling on the phone, or connecting on social media, offering promises of lower energy bills, reduced emissions, and increased resale value. They’ll likely push a special deal – but only if you sign right away.

Be suspicious and don’t share sensitive personal information with anyone who calls

It’s pretty bizarre by any standard: a bird species of the southwestern U.S., Mexico, and the Greater Antilles appearing in numbers in late fall in the northeastern U.S. and southeastern Canada.

Since 2005, cave swallows have made almost annual appearances here in Maine (and across the northeastern U.S. and Canada), usually in November. Most swallows species are entirely dependent upon flying insects for food. That’s why they migrate south in the fall; they head  to warmer places where insects are abundant for food. Some swallows, like cliff swallows, barn swallows, and bank swallows, can

Public and private events celebrating the holiday season are beginning this week – see public listings in our calendar, ads and articles. There are Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas lights being turned on and much more. If you don’t see your event listed, please let us know and we will at least get it on our award-winning websites.

The inevitable will soon happen – snow – so when it does, please be safe when going to and from the events.

We hope everyone will enjoy the efforts of businesses and individuals decorating and holding events to celebrate the season. Thank them and take part.

There

In 2024, you might think when people learn of domestic violence they would, by now, be beyond asking why the victim doesn't leave or, if the victim was slain, why he or she didn't leave if their partner had hurt or threatened to hurt them before. But those question(s) still get asked. Depending on your familiarity with the subject, Lisa Kristoff's latest piece on domestic abuse, "Why they stay," is a thoughtful, informative reminder or revelation that leaving might not be at all obvious, or easy.

Importantly, Kristoff includes resources for help and other information. Please take the few

Recently three area residents have been honored publicly for their many years of living among us. The Boston Post Cane is shared by New England towns with elder members of communities who have approached a century of life on the planet. In some cases, I suspect, some recipients have been over 100 years old.

Larry Brown, who keeps close tabs on peninsula communities and the residents within, commented to me about the recognition given to three local gents who had heart surgery performed by one Dr. Fallon at Maine Medical. Larry indicated that three other local folks might well deserve some

Once upon a time, in the great city known as Chicago, a black lawyer named Harold Washington was elected mayor. It was 1983, a time of major political and racial change for that city. Washington had beaten two strong Democratic Party stalwarts, Jane Byrne and Richard J. Daley, to win the nomination. Then he beat the token Republican.

After the polls closed and the counting began to show he would win, Washington and his aides joined supporters at a large hall for a celebration. I happened to be in Chicago on another story but tagged along with other reporters as they followed the new mayor and

Dear Editor:

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to my family, campaign team, volunteers, and supporters. You have poured your time, energy, and passion into this campaign, and it has truly paid off. This victory belongs to each and every one of you!

I also want to thank Bill Hunt for a spirited campaign. Running for office takes courage, and I respect the effort he put into this race. Now, it’s time for us to unite as a community and move forward together.

This election wasn’t just about winning a seat; it was about amplifying the voices of our community. It was about addressing the

Fraud cost veterans, service members, and their families $477 million in 2023, according to the latest Federal Trade Commission (FTC) data, and this only includes fraud that was reported. With over 85% of veterans having encountered service-related scams in the last 12 months, now is a great time to review some of the most prevalent scams targeting current and former service members.  

Scammers employ vet-focused twists on impersonation scams, investment fraud, and more. Criminals frequently impersonate the VA, often threatening to cut off benefits if you don’t provide sensitive personal

The next public supper will be Nov. 20. The menu will consist of cheese soup, herb rolls, salad, roast turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, peas, squash, and pumpkin cheesecake. The cost is $10 for members and $12 for nonmembers. Additional meals may be purchased for take-out at the same cost when reserved. For more information or to make a reservation, call 882-8230. Please join us for this delicious Thanksgiving meal.

Cribbage results for Tuesday, Nov. 5 with 19 players were first place, Stuart Wyman, 841; second, Doc Schilke, 833; third, Duane Rolerson, 820; high hand, Stuart Wyman

Birders in Rockland had the good fortune a few days ago to discover a very rare bird in Maine: a common gull. Yes, we know that seems like an oxymoron. Gulls of several species here in Maine could be called “common.” There are the ubiquitous herring gulls that most people refer to as  “seagulls” even though they are seen across much of inland Maine, often far from any marine waters. Great black-backed gulls are pretty “common,” too, especially along the coast. And ring-billed gulls are often quite numerous—we saw hundreds at Wharton Point in Brunswick earlier this fall.

But the actual