The bird and its band proved a perplexing mystery.

Dear Editor:

I was happy to read Rob Cronk's recent letter concerning school options, and I'm writing to encourage our community to organize and explore an application to the state's Integrated, Consolidated Educational Facility pilot program.

To me, the most exciting thing about this school is that it will "create a new regional high school integrated with a career and technical school, the University of Maine System, the Maine Community College System and that supports industry training programs."

Can you imagine a high school/community college/UMaine system integrated school right here

During these tumultuous days, I hearken back to the lyrics and melodies of a couple of patriotic songs we learned in school that stay with us through our lifetime. The songs make us feel proud and secure that we live in a beautiful and free country.

I do love “The Star-Spangled Banner,” our national anthem, but “America the Beautiful,” written by Kathy Lee Bates, and “My Country, ’Tis of Thee,” written by Samuel Francis Smith, are also thought-provoking and meaningful.

According to one website, Bates’ fourth verse prompted CBS anchor Dan Rather to cry when he taped a segment for the David

It was probably not one of my better decisions! 

In the early 80s, approximately, being a bit more adventuresome at the time, I decided to visit Monhegan Island for the Jan. 1 “Trap Day.” As you may well imagine, January anytime on an island off the coast of Maine is not the “Vacationland” we are now promoted to be! At that time in my photo career, this was a challenge I could not resist. And, truth be known, I had been offered an open invitation by Doug and Harry Odom to visit anytime.  

I got to know Doug and Harry in better weather on the island and during their visits to Donny Wotton’s

On Saturday, as I rested my back after chipping the ice from under the garage door, my cell phone rang a familiar tune. I didn’t answer, as I recognized the caller as Ms. Pigette, the lovely icon holding up a mailbox on Route 27. I know it was rude, but I needed a cup of hot coffee to face her usual rant.

And I was right. I started to apologize but she cut me off. “Did you see that X$$D&**MZ! on TV,” she snarled.

“Which one? There are many on TV, especially late at night,” I replied. “You know--HIM.”

Then she went off in a rant that ate up about four minutes of my phone’s battery life. “You

Dealing with fraud in the aftermath can be fraught – not knowing where or if you should report (you should – it’s a crime), feelings of shame (even though it’s not your fault – blame the perpetrator), and an often-overwhelming emotional toll – let alone the financial impact.

One resource is the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline. Every weekday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST, trained AARP volunteer fraud fighters are helping victims and their families understand what happened, report the crime, and plan next steps to put their lives back together. That number is 1-877-908-3360.

AARP also offers an

If you look upriver, a mile or so from the Wiscasset waterfront, two features stand out, one is the high hill known as Clark’s Point, the other is an iron railroad bridge. Both have interesting stories associated with them Clark’s Point was once called Taylor’s Mountain for a previous owner, a sea captain who circumnavigated the world and built a home that still stands near the hill's summit. But for now let’s just concern ourselves with the bridge. You may be surprised to learn it has carried trains across the Sheepscot River since 1907. It was no accident the engineers who designed the

Dear Editor:

Governor Mills made national headlines last week when, in a statement to President Trump said, “see you in court.” With that statement she declared war against the federal government and the 77% of Maine voters who believe schools should be focused on the basics rather than DEI. How did Maine get to the point that our government will risk $250 million in federal grants to prioritize DEI?

Maine can’t take the high ground from a position of excellence. On the contrary, Maine is the poster child for the mismanagement of education. According to the National Assessment of

Dear Editor: 

We are delighted to support Ed Pentaleri who is running for Selectboard in Alna in March.  Ed has previously served as an Alna Selectboard member and has accomplished many great things that have benefited our town. 

Ed oversaw the Cross Road repaving that had been deferred far longer than necessary.  He also has helped reduceour costs of winter salt by working with the state.  Ed has also been instrumental for securing grants totaling $1.6 million for the replacement of the Egypt Road Bridge; hopefully to include the transfer of its maintenance responsibility to the state. 

E

Dear Editor:

Several folks have emailed and asked about Option #5. This is in reference to an editorial commentary I made last week, in which I identified several School Options; I am suggesting our school committees -- Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor and Wiscasset get together and engage in discussion around these options, particularly Option #5, which could potentially lead to a solution … maybe the broader picture could include Edgecomb, Southport, Westport, Alna, Dresden?

Option #5 is an - “Integrated, Consolidated 9-16 Educational Facilities Program Funding Opportunity. Maine public schools

The next public supper will be Wednesday, March 5. The meal consists offish chowder, salad, biscuits, Canadian bacon and potato quiche, and chocolate cake.Cost is $10 for members and $12 for nonmembers. Additional meals may be purchased for take-out at the same cost when reserved. Takeouts should be picked up at 5:45p.m. For more information or to make a reservation, call 882-8230. Please join us for this delicious meal. 

 Cribbage scores on Tuesday, Feb.18 with 20 players: First place: Pam Frenier, 845; second place: Nancy Perry, 842; third place: Rita James, 831; high hand:Ruth

There’s a poem by Poet Laureate Joy Harjo — “Perhaps the World Ends Here.” “The world begins at a kitchen table,” the poet writes.

In the middle of a winter storm in early February, as I sit at my generous kitchen table with a cup of hot tea, the lines of this poem settle silently around me like a blanket of snow, burying immediate concerns under a drift of memory. “The gifts of earth are bought and prepared, set on the table. So it has been since creation, and it will go on.”

This house in Maine is the first one I’ve lived in with room for a proper table. I love sitting here with a view of

As we write this on Feb. 17, the Great Backyard Bird Count is in its final hours. We’ve participated and seen some wonderful birds, though like many of you, we were confined to counting from home for part of it because of the snowstorm.

One thing that we found particularly fascinating and enjoyable during our snowbound day at home was how the different species and numbers of birds change throughout the day when you are watching very closely. The close scrutiny of our yard and feeders made us realize that we have as many as five cardinals. Despite the cold, we also noticed that the male

The Boothbay region’s giving community spirit came through once again on Monday as over $4,100 was raised for Robbie and Kristen Campbell at Community Lunch. The couple lost their home to a fire on Feb. 12 and the donations will help them get back on their feet somewhat. As people said, this community cares for those in need. Thanks to everyone who donated and best of luck to the Campbells.

* * * * *

There are those of us in the office who are not fans of snow and ice and are tired of the constant storms so far in February. We had it nice through late January then … the roofs, walkways

Every once in a while, my brain goes on sabbatical. It seems to have a mind of its own which is a bit unsettling when trying to prepare a regularly scheduled column for the newspaper, among other things. I’m not sure if this is caused by some neurological short circuit or if it has to do with too many other things floating about in my head. Let’s hope it is the latter please. 

It’s sort of like what happens when your vehicle develops a skip. You know, the car goes through its paces on the way to a nice cruising speed when out of nowhere there is a pause without notice. A hiccup. A slight

That was one long and sometimes unusual presidential election season that ended a few months ago, from a change in the Democratic ticket to an assassination attempt on a former president seeking to return. However you voted, if you voted, you as a news consumer and an American may have needed a breather after.

But get back up off the bench; you have had your rest and it is time to think local elections and town meetings. They are headed this way fast. 

Stay up on our reporting and we will as always do our best to keep up with draft proposals and completed proposals on municipal and school

Jimmy Breslin is giggling in his grave as the New York City mayor’s alleged attempt to rake in some cash and goodies in return for ignoring a building code violation has morphed into a national scandal.

The late great NYC newspaper reporter, who told us of goofy tales of gangsters who couldn’t shoot straight and why the Mets couldn’t play baseball, would be in his glory.

Why?

Well, it began in the tradition of NYC politics going back to the last two centuries of corrupt Tammany Hall and Boss Tweed.

Da Mayor, an ex-cop, allegedly tried to inflate his retirement package with some cash ($100

The next public supper will be Feb. 19.  The meal consists of minestrone soup, salad, garlic bread, chicken Parmesan, linguini, and lemon gelatin cake. The cost is $10 for members and $12 for non-members. Additional meals may be purchased for take-out at the same cost when reserved. Takeouts should be picked up at 5:45 p.m. For more information or to make a reservation, call 882-8230. Please join us for this delicious meal.

Cribbage for results Tuesday, Feb. 4 with 19 players:

First place: Pam Frenier, 836

Second place: Beverly Blair,  815

Third place: Catherine Rolerson, 809

High Hand: P

Dear Editor:

When it comes to protecting health care for Lincoln County families, our Democratic legislators—Lydia Crafts, Holly Stover, Cameron Reny, Wayne Farrin, and Denise Tepler—have stood strong. They voted to ensure that doctors’ offices stay open, emergency rooms remain staffed, and that children, seniors, and working families don’t lose access to essential care.

But Republicans, including Waldoboro’s Representative Abden Simmons, voted against the funding needed to keep MaineCare afloat. If they get their way, hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics across Lincoln County will be

Dear Editor:

I am writing to express my frustration with the rising cost of elementary school in our town and the apparent disregard the school board has for taxpayers' concerns. Education is undoubtedly a vital investment, but the financial burden placed on families and homeowners has reached an unsustainable level.

Despite repeated requests for transparency and fiscal responsibility, the school board continues to approve budgets that increase taxes without adequately addressing efficiency or accountability. Many families are struggling with these costs, yet our voices seem to go unheard