Have you ever wondered why it is that some ducks have the word “duck” in their English name while others don’t?

Maybe you have to be a bird nerd like us to ponder that question, but ponder it we did recently.

Yesterday, we were taking in views of North America’s smallest duck, the green-winged teal, in a wetland not far from home. This is the time of year when lots of green-winged teal migrate north through Maine on their way to their extensive breeding grounds across Canada and Alaska. Green-winged teal do have a green patch in their wing, as suggested by their name, but it’s not

We were sorry to read Woolwich's Memorial Day service will not be held this year. As Phil Di Vece reported, this is due to lack of interest, with fewer and fewer attendees in recent years. Held at alternating churches, the observance has always appeared well-organized, like last year's with an invocation and benediction, welcoming address and a keynote speaker. And as the person usually covering American Legion Post 54 services in Wiscasset, just as meaningful but usually cold and/or windy, I have always thought how nice it was Woolwich did its indoors.

So, put on a coat and maybe a couple

After spending three weekends, and more, watching college basketball and the NCAA tournaments (women’s tournament included), I am ready for a break, although the men’s tournament had to be one of the best I have witnessed. There were not a lot of upsets but there were a lot of close games, which was fine with me.

Although the top seeds, Florida, Duke and Arizona, in the men’s bracket didn’t make it to the championship game, the Michigan Wolverines did. I predicted they would take the crown, which they did by defeating the ever-competitive UConn Huskies, 69-63, on Monday night. I didn’t get to

What a pleasant surprise to see our shadows during a late afternoon walk with our newest best friend Leica the wonder dog. We wonder if she is a dog! What a piece of work.

After our rather old-fashioned winter and cold, the opportunity to be outside at 6 o’clock and still have sunlight is pretty special. As I age, I am finding the winter 4:30 slipping away of sunlight ever more challenging. So, when Miss Leica and I shoved off for the back fields, I was pleasantly surprised to see the long shadow ahead of us. Leica was actually a little spooked by how our shadows moved as we walked.

It is

For thousands of years, Easter has been a symbol of hope, a day of joy, a time to gather together to celebrate the miracle of rebirth.

The Good Book, no matter which version sits upon your bookshelf, first chronicled the arrest, passion and crucifixion of Jesus. Then, a few pages later, it turns to Easter, proclaiming “He has risen.”

For believers around the world, it is a time to celebrate, a time to sing, to express joy.

That is, unless you listened to the messages coming from Washington, D.C.

Instead of trying to lift us up, to speak words of hope, our nation’s leader pivoted from the

Want to be Mom’s favorite? Give her free housecleaning for Mother’s Day!

Stop by our office in the Meadow Mall any weekday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to buy a raffle to win up to $200 in services from Details Cleaning. They are fully insured and focused on delivering reliable, consistent, high-quality work. Unless otherwise requested, the raffle winner will receive general housekeeping services, including dusting, vacuuming, cleaning kitchen surfaces including the microwave (inside and out) and of course bedrooms and bathrooms. Tickets are $10 each or 3 for $25. Drawing will be held at 1 p.m

I’m not really a history buff, but looking at events that happened in April just happened to pique my interest. First, starting on April 18 was the famous “Midnight Ride of Paul Revere,” warning of the upcoming battles of Lexington and Concord the next day. But, you might not know there were two other riders as well, William Dawes and Samuel Prescott. Prescott finished the ride because Revere actually was captured by the British. And he never really said “the British are coming!” Most colonists considered themselves British.

On April 12, 1861, the Civil War started at Fort Sumter. There were

Dear Editor:

Now is the time parents in Midcoast Maine are thinking about an elementary and middle school for their children for 2026 and beyond.  As a parent, grandparent, and as a former teacher and principal, I want to recommend an internationally recognized educational treasure, the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL). Located in Edgecomb, Maine and established in 1990, it is celebrating its 35th year of providing a pre-k through grade 8 rigorous, experiential, child centered education.

At a time when education at all levels is in turmoil, CTL’s faculty meet their students in a

Dear Editor: 

Since I began my first term as an individual on the school committee, I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to serve in this role. 

School board service is not a symbolic position, nor is it a platform for personal agendas. Under Maine State law, school boards are charged with ensuring that every student has access to a thorough education. That responsibility is the foundation for every decision a school committee makes, from budgets to policy to long-term planning. 

Of course, the work is complex. Every decision means looking at an issue from many sides. It means

Dear Editor:

When I recently had an opportunity to talk with Mike Bartles, write-in candidate for CSD school committee, I was struck by his enthusiasm and ready-to-go-to-work attitude. As a parent of two young children, he is invested in local schools and in helping provide a meaningful education for students. He’s a business owner who sees the potential that collaboration between businesses/community groups and the schools can offer. He told me that he enjoys answering questions and talking with people about their concerns and  values communication between the school committee and community

Dear Editor:

We’ve been in Paris for 27 years now, and still very, very much miss Maine, where we lived for several years!

Thank you 100 times over for the No Kings rallies in Lincoln County. It’s wonderful to know that there are so many folks up that way who are trying to restore democracy to the U.S. Please know that there are also many, many Americans over this way who also are doing what we can to bring democracy and sanity back to the federal government.

Last Saturday, while you were on the streets of Wiscasset and Damariscotta, we (Indivisible Paris) were at the Place de la Bastille

Dear Editor:

Thank you, Senator Collins, for supporting Donald Trump’s Middle East escapade; since 2015, your votes have put the U.S. on the path to war with Iran. We are confident that, after the war crimes, global economic disruptions, and skyrocketing domestic commodity prices, “bombing our little hearts out” will yield benefits to America, the likes of which we have never seen.

Thank you for confirming right wing ideologues Samuel Alito and Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, and voting for all 191 of Trump’s judicial nominees.

Thank you for supporting 22 of 24 Trump 1.0 cabinet nominees

The Southport Memorial Library will be open Tuesday 9-4, Thursday 9-4 and 6-8, and Saturday 9-4.  New books keep arriving, and there are plenty others as well, something for all your wants and needs. While book lending is the core mission, there are many other services and events offered. There is WiFi, computers are available for use, printer and scanner jobs can be taken care of as well. The used bookstore located upstairs is getting additional volumes all the time, and proceeds support the library. There are art shows; currently a group of nine plein air painters are exhibiting and some of

Dear Editor: 

The Maine Superior Court ruled in our favor on the longstanding dispute regarding the Newcastle Realty Building (across from the town hall) that was constructed almost five years ago: 

“The court vacates and remands the CEO’s decision granting Harbor Crossing the June 8, 2020 building permit.”

This ruling was made public weeks ago. It appears that Selectmen have not been informed by the town manager nor has any action been taken on the building that now cannot legally be occupied. 

Since 2020 the town’s CEO and attorney have used every procedure in their power to avoid a hearing

Dear Editor:

I have been watching closely the discussions about the closing the picking pile at the dump (transfer station) and I want to voice my opinion on this matter, which is very dear to my heart.

When I came to Boothbay over 30 years ago I had very little “stuff” in terms of furniture and household items. Lucky for me, I found what I needed at the picking pile. My prize possession is my mudroom door, which was just the right size for my door jam – it has beautiful milk glass windows and a brass door knob. I’ve gotten pretty much all my garden tools, bed steads, and even a Family Bible

Dear Editor:

If you care about the future of our community, I strongly encourage you to write in Mike Bartles for the Boothbay Harbor School Board Committee on May 1.

Supporting Mike means supporting our students, our schools, and families like mine who call this area home. School board decisions go beyond shaping the quality of education our children receive - they directly impact the ability of families to live, grow, and thrive here. Strong schools are essential to sustaining our property values, attracting and retaining families in our area, and preserving the kind of community we all want

Dear Editor:

Today was the first Easter Sunday service celebrated in our newly renovated sanctuary in the First Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor.

It began with the Bell Choir smiling and ringing their bells as they walked up the aisle, then up our new ramp to their dedicated space. Music was abundant and joyful, with our magnificent organ in full view, and the choir singing an Easter anthem, with a trumpet solo!

We are truly blessed to have the loving community that this church provides, and I thank Pastor Todd and the multitude of people that helped to make the necessary changes to

Dear Editor:

Last week I submitted a letter to the editor that contained some errors and omissions that I wish to correct. Posing a potentially complex tax situation in a word-constrained letter I left out certain facts about the tax calculations.

Some of my neighbors, who either enjoy paying higher taxes than the rich, or are rich themselves, jumped all over my calculations. This may be a little boring, but for those who truly wish to understand how the average wage earner is being ripped off, please stay with me.

What was omitted is that the tax calculation I used included “qualified”

Dear Editor:

In response to recent published letters and a mailer from the Edgecomb Tax Group regarding the school budget, I believe it is important to address both the substance and the way information has been presented to the public.

There is no question that rising taxes are a serious concern. I share that concern, and it has been central to every budget discussion this year. However, advocating for taxpayers also requires presenting information fully and accurately. In this case, that standard has not been met.

As a school board member, and as a data scientist, statistician, and former

Music pumping, people chatting, roaring laughter, and splashing. These are the sounds that define Wednesday nights at the Bosarge Aquatics Center at the Boothbay Region YMCA. Aqua Bootcamp, an aquatic resistance workout, takes place in the pool every Wednesday evening from 5:15 to 6 p.m. The class is designed to use the water’s natural resistance to build strength while staying low impact on joints. Offered as part of the YMCA’s Healthy Living program, it allows participants of all ages to engage in an intense and dynamic workout.

The Wednesday night group consistently attracts about 20