Other than a few smarty-pants who have their Christmas shopping all done, most of us are still at it, trying to figure out what to get for those on our list who pose a challenge.In the days…
Editorial
From the Editor
Oh my! It’s Christmastime!
Here comes the busiest time of the year for many folks. There’s the shopping, decorating, getting and putting up the tree, wrapping gifts, going to events and…
From the editor
I am thankful for my family and friends every day of the year but on this Thanksgiving week, I would like to thank some other people (some are friends, too!) who contribute very much to getting…
Mary’s Musings
On this Thanksgiving holiday, as we sit down with family and friends to share both good food and conversation, let’s not forget the thousands all over the world who are less fortunate.…
From the Editor
While writing this column, the clock was ticking toward the end of another year of my existence. Yes, I turned 61 this week. Not a memorable number, for sure, but birthdays tend to not only creep…
Mary’s Musings
Two recent wind storms brought down a tremendous number of trees. Maine is the most heavily forested state in the nation, with an estimated 24.3 billion.Even before the latest blow, we…
From the editor
Congratulations to our local fall sports teams and athletes. For our relatively small student populations, Boothbay Region High School and Wiscasset Middle High School continue to perform well on…
Mary’s Musings
Most Maine homes were expected to have electrical service restored by press time, but to say this latest storm which brought near hurricane level winds was a horror show would be putting it…
From the editor
Last night I found myself looking at the shadows on the walls and ceilings of my house, cast from the light of four candles glowing in the kitchen, dining room, computer nook and living room. As…
Mary’s Musings
It appears we may finally be on a path toward curbing the growing drug problem in our country. It will be a long and rocky road and it could take years to make significant progress but we…
From the editor
I hadn’t been in the Knights of Pythias Hall in years until this past Sunday. I really can’t remember when I was there last. Perhaps it was when I was dropping off some Christmas gifts when Karen…
Mary’s Musings
It’s easy to get in financial trouble. Ask thousands of families who have had to struggle on occasion to keep their heads above water. For some, it’s a never-ending battle. It’s not just…
From the Editor
I would like to commend my colleague, Lisa Kristoff, who has led the charge at the newspaper for over a decade to inform the public about domestic violence (DV). In years past (pre-website), she…
Mary’s Musings
When something puts a strain on your household budget, you tend to get nervous — sometimes very nervous. We can’t help but think our country should be feeling that same pressure…
From the editor
Paul Coulombe wants to make the east side of the harbor in Boothbay Harbor more attractive to boaters, tourists and residents. At the Boothbay Harbor Selectmen’s meeting Tuesday night, he and his…
Mary’s Musings
Last week’s tragedy in Las Vegas has political leaders and others turning their attention once again to gun control. It becomes a hot topic whenever we have a horrendous incident where lives…
From the editor
Every so often, I like to remind people how this operation (newspaper) works. This week, I will give you a few facts about getting coverage of your event and tips on getting your submissions in on…
Mary’s Musings
Americans are weighing in on the growing trend by National Football League players to take the knee during the playing of the National Anthem as a means of protesting racism in our country.…
From the Editor
Another Tuesday night and I'm thinking about what to write about.
OK, I've got it. Let's review my week, starting with Wednesday, Sept. 20.
There was a new moon on Sept. 20. The late…
From the editor
Hurricanes, earthquakes, nuclear threats, riots, Obamacare debate … As the world churns, we always have sports to turn to take our minds off of the tragedies and political disagreements happening…
Mary’s Musings
What’s more annoying than a telemarketer? Their phone calls usually come at an inopportune time. You’re just started eating. You’re watching something on TV you really…
From the editor
Road construction projects, especially on a main thoroughfare such as Route 27, are a pain to motorists. Long waits, driving on uneven pavement and impatient drivers drive up the stress. Some…
Mary’s Musings
Devastating. Mind-boggling. Heartbreaking. Unimaginable. There are plenty of words to describe Hurricane Irma. After watching Hurricane Harvey wreak havoc on Texas, with barely a break in…
From the Assistant Editor
Kudos to our fire departments for coming together on fires big and little over Labor Day weekend. Even the smaller emergencies take multiple hands, for the firefighters’ safety and everyone else’s…
From the editor
September: Schools are back in session; the grass grows a little slower; and the last vestiges of summer activities continue for about three more weeks.
One of those activities – actually…
Mary’s Musings
We’re counting our blessings this week as we share in the sorrow of thousands of Texas residents who have suffered damage to or loss of their homes and businesses, or have been forced to…
From the Editor
Over my “staycation” last week, which was a mixture of fun on the town and work at home projects, I somewhat kept up with the local news. Some loser(s) spread KKK fliers in the region, stirring…
guest commentary
I am sitting seaside this morning, watching grandchildren frolic in the surf. But I am thinking how it won’t be long until these youngsters will be like you —…
Mary’s Musings
We haven’t seen any of the statistics yet, but it appears that Clear the Shelters Day last Saturday was successful in finding permanent homes for many dogs, cats and other shelter animals.…
From the Editor
Instead of the usual editing of copy on Tuesday, I did some editing of a different kind – a bit of home downsizing.
Taking advantage of our week off together, my wife and I tackled our…
From the editor
I gauge the length of this column each week, pretty much, by the space left to me after all the letters to the editor have been placed on the page. This week, as you can see, there are a lot of…
From the editor
A Monday morning phone call tipped us off to “another” possible imposter. We say “another” because we heard recently of a woman going around town saying she writes for the New York Times and that…
Mary’s Musings
Some folks who live near Old Orchard Beach, as well as visitors, have been complaining recently to Town Fathers that the beach lacks easily accessible rest room facilities. They maintain…
From the Editor
I didn't celebrate National Ice Cream Day on July 16. Did you? But there's still a few days left to celebrate National Ice Cream Month, July, designated as such by…
Mary’s Musings
It’s always refreshing to read about folks who think outside the box, and while they’re certainly not the first to do it, we found ourselves intrigued by a San Francisco couple’s decision on…
From the Editor
What news? Sun Media Group has agreed to sell its assets to RFB Holdings. Reade Brower, owner of Maine Today Media, as of Aug. 1, will assume ownership of many more newspapers in Maine, including…
Mary’s Musings
Remember the old TV show, “Truth or Consequences?” Well, under Maine’s new laws, the truth is, lobstermen and others who break the rules will face consequences — severe consequences…
From the editor
This week some of our critics took a swipe at us on our online commenting service, Disqus, as well as Facebook and, perhaps, on the street, regarding our coverage of the feud between Coastal Maine…
Mary’s Musings
Not long ago we began hearing and reading about the strong opposition to public buildings in the south flying a confederate flag. Some were adamant that they…
From the editor
Back in the summer of '69, I had a fascination with baseball. My neighborhood friends would gather in back of Boothbay Harbor Grammar School for pick-up games, either in the afternoon or early…
Mary’s Musings
Most communities undergo numerous changes over the years, and ours is no different. Some were for the better, others maybe not. In any case, it’s interesting to look back on some of things…
From the editor
Took a 15-minute break from work Tuesday afternoon, around 1:45, to check out the activity around town on one of the "more active" Windjammer Days. I thought there were many people around and, if…
Mary’s Musings
As we celebrate the wonderful days of summer here on the Maine coast, Washington and the political world seem far, far away but unfortunately the only way to escape what’s happening – or isn…
From the editor
I've been on a sentimental journey this week because on Thursday, June 22, this hometown boy will have been working at the Boothbay Register for 30 years — six months as a reporter/assistant…
Mary’s Musings
Boothbay Harbor shifts into full gear this coming week, as the 55th annual Windjammer Days gets underway with a jam-packed schedule of events offering something for everyone. …
From the editor
After every graduation, I reminisce about the final days of school and how much I looked forward to summer. While in elementary school, I looked forward to later nights out playing with friends in…
Mary’s Musings
We live on the water, or more specifically, the ocean. We were lucky enough to have found a waterfront parcel 55 years ago, before it became the most sought-after land in…
Congratulations to our local high school graduates and to their parents. One of life's major milestones has been reached and it's not always easy to accomplish. By working hard, and mixing in some…
Mary’s Musings
As we watched the Channel 7 broadcast of a recent talk at the Boothbay Region Historical Society this past week, we were reminded how very lucky we are that they are working hard to document…
From the editor
Last week I wrote about being safe on the road, keeping an eye out for others and not driving too fast.
This week I would like to remind everyone to be safe in and on the water, now that…
