Columns

American Legion logo

If you’re looking for a fun way to honor our military and veterans, join us on Saturday, Jan. 17 at the Bowdoin College annual men’s hockey game at Sidney Wilson Arena in Brunswick, 27 Watson…

Drawing by Diane Spofford Randlett

Wishing the BICA community a Happy New Year! As the hall is closed for the winter break, we'll be holding our monthly potlucks at various homes instead. We'll resume on…

Shawn Lewin, AARP Maine member

As temperatures drop in many states, criminals are turning up the heat on their deceptive tactics. While utility scams happen year-round, scammers are especially active when customers rely on…

A Bird's Tale
Jeff Wells and another birder scoping for sea ducks and loons on the Matinicus Island Christmas Bird Count. Courtesy of Bethany Woodworth.

(This week’s column shares Jeff’s perspective; Allison was unable to participate.)

On the pre-dawn drive over to the…

'Round Town
Postcard

Eventually, most…

Joe's Journal
Joe Gelarden

Old Santa dropped off a late Christmas present to Tim Hodgdon last week, another win for his baby, Comanche, the world’s fastest monohull sailing yacht.…

Community Center logo

Soup! Back by popular demand! We’ll…

Drawing by Diane Spofford Randlett

As I write this, we are already four days into the new year. I will admit that the days leading to here have been a bit confusing, keeping track of the day of the week…

Drawing by Diane Spofford Randlett

Happy New Year. I hope you all enjoyed your holidays. Ours,as I'm sure yours were busy celebrating with family and friends. Thank you to all who sent Christmas wishes; your cards, letters and…

Legion logo

For this article, I am setting aside my American Legion cover and putting on my Maine Veterans in Need (MVN) hat. 

The weekend of Jan. 10-11 marks the…

Rotary wheel

Rotary has been integral to our community since 1939, and it’s easy to take the club for grantedRotary – and…

2026 Windjammer Days
Merchant Marine Barclay Shepard. Courtesy photo

As Boothbay Harbor prepares to celebrate the 64th annual Windjammer Days, this year’s theme proudly honors the past, present, and retired members of the United…

AARP logo

With rising costs and economic uncertainty, many of us are looking to start the new year by taking more control of our finances and tackling lingering debt. But paying down what you owe takes time…

You may be surprised to learn that in the hierarchy of birds at feeders, the loud and sometimes bullying blue jay ranks lower in dominance than the hairy woodpecker. Courtesy of Jeff Wells

With the recent snow has come an increase in bird activity at our feeders and the small patches of open ground we’ve cleared under them. When all the birds are trying…

'Round Town
Photo by Robert Mitchell

My new year…

Joe's Journal
Joe Gelarden

Well, we survived 2025. But, did we?

My brain is overloaded. Is yours?

As we enter the new year, we have been hammered with traditional lists upon lists of the things that made 2025…

Where It's/Was At
Rimar Reed's "Candy Drop" interactive gingerbread.

Gingerbread Spectacular baker/designer/architect Rimar Reed’s entries have long been part of the much anticipated event held at the Opera House. For this year’s 19th show she decided to challenge…

Drawing by Diane Spofford Randlett

Chilly and stunning is this day after Christmas, enough sun to make the snow sparkle all around, cold enough to keep the boughs bedecked in icy powder, just beautiful. I hope that all had a good…

American Legion logo

As we look back on 2025, it is important to reflect honestly on what the year meant for veterans here in Maine, and especially for those…

Community Center logo

We wish everyone a wonderful 2026! Looking for good company and a warm welcome these cold winter days? Stop by the Community…

AARP logo

If your New Year’s resolutions include finding a new job, work-from-home opportunities may sound appealing. While many remote positions are legitimate, some aren’t what…

Rotary wheel

The Barn had barely closed a few weeks ago, when folks started asking us how soon pickups would begin in the spring. It’s nice to be missed.

And it’s a great…

'Round Town
Photo by Robert Mitchell

Last week was a tough…

Joe's Journal
Joe Gelarden

If you are like the rest of us, your phone and your TV are filled with ads suggesting you purchase this gadget, gizmo, or whatever.

In the words of Tom Lehrer: “Angels we have heard on high…

Community Center logo

Happy New Year everyone!

Did you know that our wonderful volunteers have driven their…

A Bird's Tale
Juncos were seen in good numbers in our section of the Augusta Christmas Bird Count. Courtesy of David Small

It’s that special time of year again, full of magical anticipation, wondrous excitement, and pure-hearted thankfulness. We are, of course, talking about Christmas Bird…

Where It (was) At! Gingerbread Spectacular 2025
Harbor Theater: Best Representation of A Local Landmark

Twenty-seven bakers were inspired to enter this year’s Gingerbread Spectacular held at the Opera House for 19 years now. Their designs always charm, amaze and delight us all leaving us to wonder…

Rep. Wayne Farrin

While we are in the midst of the holiday season, I hope you can enjoy time with family and friends celebrating Christmas, New Year’s and other festivities in the coming…

American Legion logo

A Christmas present for the military and veterans 

It looks like the military and veterans did receive a Christmas present from Congress…

Drawing by Diane Spofford Randlett

On the brink of a Clipper, heavy winds, rains, and high temperatures, we will see how things go. Christmas is coming…

Rotary wheel

People were dressed so strangely at last week’s Christmas party you would be excused if you thought we were honoring another holiday – you know, the one that comes in…

Boothbay Region YMCA: Community Catalyst for Good
Take the plunge, earn bragging rights, and get your name listed on the Boothbay Region Y’s Penguin! Courtesy photo

How many Polar Plungers would a Penguin Polar Plunge if a Penguin Polar Plunger could plunge? 

You can find out on New Year’s Day at 11 a.m. at the…

Shawn Lewin, AARP Maine member

As the year winds down and the…

A Bird's Tale
Although most yellow-bellied sapsuckers migrate south for the winter, a few individuals stay, like this one photographed on Matinicus Island in January a few years ago. Courtesy of Jeff Wells

Walking our dog on one of these recent very cold days through the snow and ice on what had been the sidewalk only a few weeks ago, we heard a familiar mewing call. It…

'Round Town
Photo by Robert Mitchell

Recently, during a…

Joe's Journal
Joe Gelarden

As I sat down to address Christmas cards last week (I know I am tardy as usual), my phone started buzzing.

While I hoped the screen would say Possible Spam, it did not.  Yes, you…

Community Center logo

We want to thank all of our wonderful volunteers who give their time to the Center’s guests and to our community projects. Your…

Senator Cameron Reny

Dec. 4 marked one year since I was sworn in for my second term in the Maine State Senate. Time really does fly! In honor of the new year, I would like to reflect on this past year as your elected…

Where It's At
Yep, that's me at Stonehenge on Oct. 27 celebrating my birthday! LISA KRISTOFF personal photo - (2025)

Stonehenge. I feel as though I’ve always known about Stonehenge; there isn’t one singular moment in my time I can recall; of course there a great many years to sift through! But seriously, I…

The bateau built by Bristol students. Courtesy photo

The monthly meeting of the Pemaquid Chapter, NSDAR, took place Thursday, Dec. 11, at the American Legion Hall #36 in Boothbay. Attendees, in person and by Zoom, were…

Rotary logo

Actually, more than appreciated.  Honored! President Laurie opened last week’s meeting with the happy announcement that the Mildred H. McEvoy Foundation has…

Legion logo

Well, the 2025 Army/Navy game is in the history book; Navy 17, Army 16, and Navy

AARP logo

With the holiday travel season fast…

A Bird's Tale
This turkey vulture was caught on the security cam at a friend's home in the authors' neighborhood. Courtesy of Jason Hudson

“Is this a turkey vulture?”

That was the question a friend from Gardiner posed to us over Facebook with a link to a video. The clip was captured mid-morning in…

Joe's Journal
Joe Gelarden

Is it time to ramp up the annual Christmas chores, you know, cookies and goodies and presents and cards? Or are you going to send out a bunch of emails and texts to a group and call it good?

'Round Town
Photo by Robert Mitchell

What a wonderfully inspiring community event! The Southport Town Hall was packed with every variety of islander in support of the first ever Southport Central School’s homegrown feast. The…