As a rising senior at BRHS, I am asking the BRHS administration, the school board, and Maine elected officials to make school safety a priority by funding reinforced doors, secure entryways, and other protections for students.

The primary purpose of government, as outlined in the U.S. Constitution, is to protect citizens from serious threats to life, liberty, and property. That raises an important question: how should public money be prioritized between military conflict and the needs of children?

The Trump administration’s education cuts did not simply reduce school budgets; they removed the

Terns eat fish. We all know that (don’t we?). Many’s the time we have watched these graceful, long-winged birds hovering over the ocean surface before plunging down into the water headfirst or with a dramatic swoop to snatch up a manageable fish.

But wait.

Surprise, surprise—not all terns specialize in fish (and even those that sometimes eat things other than fish).

The Maine birding world has been abuzz this past week by the appearance of a tern species that is famous for eating things other than fish. A gull-billed tern appeared at Popham Beach a few weeks ago and has since been spending

Monday night, as I was trying to get to sleep and wondering what to write in this space this week, I thought about this newspaper and what I would miss if it suddenly ceased to exist … perhaps setting myself up for a nightmare!

First off, I would be out of a job that I have held for 39-plus years. Secondly, I have lived most of my 69 years here in the region and known five of the publishers, from Roy Kelley to A.R. Tandy (Dan DeRepentigny, Howard Cowan and Marylouise Cowan being the other three). In retrospect, I have seen many, many issues of this wonderful broadsheet land on the newsstands

Well, we all survived the 250th birthday party. If you missed the big event, I am sure Big Al still has a sparkler or two left on his shelves.

We survived, despite wars in Iran and Ukraine, where the favorites are, well, not losing but have not achieved their predicted slam-dunk victories. We survived, despite domestic political polarization, as, for a day, both sides have chosen to limit their brickbats to internet posts. We survived despite an onslaught of nasty TV ads proclaiming both Maine Senate candidates are spawns of Satan, or worse. We survived despite a national heatwave that urged

Nature tested us this past week with high temperatures, humidity, barely a breeze or cloud cover. Many of us wilted, but the day lilies met the challenge and erupted all across the island. Other plants and grasses need rain as do wells, water cools and nourishes. Understandably many are seeking the beach; a reminder is in order. There is but one handicap parking space in the lot, it is meant for those with the proper license plate or placard in their vehicle, nobody else. In addition, respect private property, the lighthouse, and the road to it are not public nor is Beach Road overflow parking

Our New Pier. Welcome to summertime, 2026! In the final column of 2025 (9/8/2025), the Island had just received a building permit from the town of BBH to move forward on construction of a new Isle of Springs pier. This past fall, winter and spring, as we sat in the comfort of our warm off-season homes, we were treated from afar by frequent ‘Pier Updates’ (letters and videos) to island visits and photos thanks to Brad Booth and Betsy Morrell and from drone videos by Evan Morrell (videographer). The winter had been a tough one with lots of ice, snow and frigid temperatures. At times workers had

Dear Editor:

Under the monumental splendor of Mount Rushmore, President Trump used this hallowed location and day of celebration of our freedom and independence to declare that tens of millions of his fellow Americans were an existential threat to the nation. This is a dangerous denunciation, as it expressly denies the legitimacy of an opposition party.

In the same speech, Trump pushed again for passage of the so-called SAVE Act by ending the filibuster rule that forces Congress and the President to negotiate and compromise on legislation. If passed, he promised it would ensure Republican rule

Dear Editor:

A proposed new OMB (Office of Management and Budget) rule will devastate Lincoln County and Maine if it is finalized.

Maine receives billions of dollars from the federal government each year to support critical public services, including health, education, and transportation. Mainers receive $1.68 in federal support for every dollar they pay in federal taxes, almost four times the amount the state raised in General Fund revenues. If those funds disappeared, how would the state compensate?

Maine receives billions in funding for transportation and storm recovery grants, and social

Dear Editor:

An evil queen incessantly asks her magic mirror, “Who is the fairest of them all?” On queue, it answers, “You are.” This echo chamber of vanity and egotism keeps her in power until a “fairer” one comes along and deposes her.

Thus, the fairy tale — and now, its sequel: The jealous queen has placed human mirrors of self-admiration in every department and office of the federal government. Thanks to them, public revulsion, legal setbacks, and international failures have had no effect on her narcissism.

To assure herself that she is truly “big and beautiful,” she commands her subjects

Dear Editor:

I would like to discuss the shortage of Resource Room teachers at BRHS and its negative effect on my education.

Dear Editor:

On behalf of the Community Center, I thank all who helped make our "1776" movie event on July 1 successful.

Your support will help us continue the programs that benefit the community -- the volunteer drivers taking folks to medical appointments, the 911 reflective signs that direct first responders to emergencies, and our medical equipment program that last year provided more than 600 pieces of equipment to area residents. All while we also provide a safe and welcoming gathering space to fight the effects of isolation.

Some of you joined us by purchasing tickets. Others joined us

Dear Editor:

I can only hope this title has piqued your curiosity to read further.

I have been at the roundabout every Sunday, starting with Donald Trump’s birthday, to protest the damage he and his followers have done to the American people; Ignoring the Constitution, cheering the cruelty of ICE, instigating war, not releasing the Epstein files, crimes against women and children, etc. I don’t think there is enough paper to list them all.

I have been overwhelmed by the positive feedback of beeping, waving and thank yous as vehicles pass through the roundabout.

We get a few thumbs down or head

Dear Editor:

This year, as I do every year that I can remember, I went to the Fourth of July fireworks. I have spent 40 years in wonderful Boothbay Harbor. This year was such fun -- band playing for the tourists and townspeople alike, everyone was laughing and having a great time waiting for the show to begin.

This celebration was for the country's 250th anniversary. The day was gorgeous -- light wind, cool sky, so clear and perfect for the show. Everyone waiting and waiting. When they started, to sum it up in one word, they were boring.

In the past, the fireworks light up the sky high enough

Dear Editor:

Thank you to the Community Center for hosting a wonderful evening featuring the movie “1776.”

Special thanks to Jane Carpenter for organizing this patriotic event, Social Graze Charcuterie for the delicious appetizers, and Russell Pinkham for the celebratory beverages. With many dressed in red, white, and blue, everyone left the theater smiling.

Denise Reed

Boothbay