I am amazed and thankful that teachers (and students) adapted to online instruction so quickly and so well because of the COVID-19 pandemic. They – both teachers and students – are a wonderful lot. It gives me a new appreciation for both groups.

I know that this generation has grown up using computers on a regular basis, but assigning and completing classes since mid-March must have been grueling, especially in the beginning and especially for teachers as, I assume, they try to keep their many students engaged throughout a course through face-to-face consultation rather than doing so via the internet or phone for weeks.

We’ve all seen the online videos, TV spots and internet posts of how stay-at-home working parents have struggled with keeping their children engaged with their schoolwork during these 10 or so weeks. Many students, too, have expressed how much they have missed their teachers and being in school with classmates. I especially feel sorry for the younger students – my two granddaughters included – who have missed this time to interact and grow with friends in school.

Thank you, teachers and students (and teaching parents), for persevering. The summer break is coming soon and hopefully this online teaching and learning won’t have to continue this fall.

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Why weren’t there more onlookers at the local Memorial Day ceremonies on Monday? Perhaps it was because of the pandemic restrictions of wearing a mask and six-foot distancing. I hope that was the case, rather than it being that Memorial Day is a fading holiday. When there was a parade – such as last year, and many years before – many more people turned out to watch and listen but on Monday, the attendance was disappointing – I think Boothbay had the most with about 20 to 25 people. Even a couple of participating veterans and a few onlookers expressed their disappointment at the lack of attendance. Let’s hope that next year the attendance improves. Don’t ever forget!