Each year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) leads Identity Theft Awareness Week, a national initiative held in late January on how to avoid identity theft, recover if it happens, and spot these scams before they occur. 

Identity theft is when your personal information is exposed; identify fraud is when someone uses that data to take over or open accounts, steal your tax refund, file fraudulent health insurance claims, and more. It can happen to anyone, but we can take steps to protect against it.

Monitoring your credit report is one of the best ways to spot errors or suspicious activity. You

Many thanks to our wonderful volunteers for "souping up" our community soup lunch on Wednesday, Jan. 14. Everything was delish

Here's what's coming up:

Saturday, Jan. 17 Lucy Cressey's genealogy group will meet from 10 a.m. until noon at the Center.

Please note that we will be closed on Monday, Jan. 19 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

And a quick reminder, if the weather is nasty, check our Facebook page or local school closings to see if we will be open that day. Generally, if schools here are closed, we will be, too. Stay safe walking and driving!

Why not help your neighbors as a new year's

It’s shaping up to be one of those years where birds are pushed south by cold weather.

One example: This week we had the good fortune to have an evening grosbeak show up in our neighborhood. It seemed odd to see one of these normally gregarious birds by itself when they are almost always in flocks. Over these last weeks there have been an uptick in reports of flocks of evening grosbeaks across Maine’s Midcoast region.

Can we return 2026 like a pair of boots that cut into your foot, or a gallon of milk that clearly lacked some refrigeration?

It's still January. Maybe there is a 30-day return policy.

Or we could hope it is one of those nightmares that feel real, and then you are relieved to wake up to find, were not.

That would be good. 

Renee Good has no more mornings. The federal administration said she was committing domestic terrorism. Minneapolis and Minnesota leaders disagreed. So have protestors around the U.S. since then.

You know what does have a return policy?

Congress, thanks to the electoral

 I know, dear readers, Christmas has passed, the New Year is upon us, and the Three Kings celebration has passed, too. I suppose it is time to make a post-holiday visit to see how Ms. Pigette is doing as she holds up her mailbox on the side of Route 27.

In between football games, pro and college, I went to the dump (er, transfer station) and stopped to see her and asked her how she was doing.

“What do you think? You idiot. I am standing in frozen mud. The snowplows have hammered me so many times I have lost count. My smarter-than-I-phone is about out of juice, and I can’t find out if I scored

Years ago, when we lived on Barters Island, our mail delivery person Edith Lewis mentioned the January thaw. In the late ’70s there were some pretty tough winters when cold and snow settled in early. Mrs. Lewis, who braved some pretty tough winter weather, would remind us that there would be a break in the weather. She also mentioned the “onion snow” of late winter/early spring. These were unfamiliar weather-related phenomenon, but we were always interested in information acquired through the long years’ observations of local residents. Mrs. Lewis certainly experienced considerable weather

A January thaw brought almost spring-like weather, only stubborn icy spots, and shaded snowy patches remain of the lovely white Christmas that we had.  The trees have been stripped of their lovely frosting and the flow of water can be heard in the woods, culverts and from the canopy, heading to the sea around us, and deep into the aquafers, hopefully without too many byproducts that we use to combat the elements on the roads and around our homes. These are quiet times; routines are returning slowly as we celebrate the last day of the Christmas season. The tree remains, its lights cutting

Dear Editor:

Both shall not stand. She can’t have it two ways. Protective law enforcement and conflicting open borders sanctuary state policies are not truly compatible.

Nationwide mayors, governors and legislators are conducting Civil War tactics so as to undermine our god given, American rights to work, life and liberty.

ICE agents round-up and eventually deport thousands of murderers, rapists, child molesters and poison peddlers. Brutally attacked and vilified as racists and even killers, these working men and women deserve our thanks and pride.

Ask yourself, what kind of elected official

Dear Editor:

In 429 BCE, two generals commanding an Athenian fleet met with civic leaders of Melos, an Aegean island. Though officially neutral in the Peloponnesian war, Melos was a colony of Athens’ enemy, Sparta.

Rather than attacking immediately, the generals chose to negotiate. Their dialogue with the Melians was brilliantly recreated by the ancient Greek historian, Thucydides. ‘Holding the cards’ (Trump’s words when he insulted Volodymyr Zelenskyy), the unwelcome guests offered their hosts an easy way or a hard way to resolve the situation: Join the Athenian empire and obey their new

Dear Editor:

Let’s prevent another senseless murder. There is a bill being considered in Augusta (LD-910) that as legislative bills go, is short and simple. It requires that health insurers report on the number of claims they deny.

One would think that this proposal would be obvious common sense, but this bill is a carryover from last year where it has been met with stubborn opposition from the health insurance lobby and their Republican allies. You might shake your head in wonder as to why Republicans oppose giving their constituents access to information that would better guide their medical

Dear Editor:

I regularly call Senator Susan Collins’ office. I’ll admit, the first time I picked up the phone, I was nervous … But I want to say this: every time I have called, the staff in Senator Collins’ office have been courteous and respectful.

They answer the phone. They listen. And that matters to me.

What has grown increasingly frustrating is the widening gap between those respectful conversations and any visible action or response from the Senator herself.

My most recent call was on Jan. 6, 2026, just after the holiday break -- one of many, but representative of a clear pattern.

On

Dear Editor:

The recent front-page article highlighting Bigelow Laboratory’s work with the Boothbay Region Water District presents impressive science focused on water quality. The biological and chemical monitoring described is valuable and reassuring.

What is potentially misleading, however, is the implicit suggestion that this work alone is sufficient to evaluate the health of our drinking-water supply.

The Boothbay reservoirs are a relatively rare system: small, man made, rainfall-limited surface-water sources with little natural buffering. In systems like this, water quantity and hydrology

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 States Navy who have served our nation with dedication and distinction. Throughout the coming weeks, we will feature a series of profiles highlighting local Navy service members—sharing their stories, experiences, and the lasting impact of their service. These articles are a tribute to the men and women whose commitment to duty reflects the maritime heritage at the heart of Windjammer Days and the deep appreciation of our community

With the winter now in full swing, and as we have all experienced, the peninsula has seen its share of significant winter storms, associated power outages with trees and wires.  These have not only been down on the roadway and private driveways, but also an extensive amount of damaged trees impacted by the storms which are now leaning over residences and commercial buildings.

Over the past several weeks the department has responded to multiple storm related incidents and motor vehicle accidents.  The have involved trees completely blocking roadways, as well as taking out major sections of the

Our own past president Bruce Harris is a busy man.  There’s his law practice at Griffin & Harris, his volunteer work, and oh, yes! The six children he and Medea are raising. He is, in his own words, a “great populator of Boothbay Region schools.” 

When his eldest, Lilley, was in eighth grade, the family went high school shopping.  Because they live in Southport, Lincoln Academy was an option, and Bruce and Medea were very excited by both the physical plant and the academic choices the school provides. But Lilley thought otherwise - she wanted to be part of the Boothbay community - and for her

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 Drive. It’s all about recognizing the men and women of our armed forces and all who have served. Faceoff is at 3 p.m. This event brings together local veteran service organizations, including Maine Veterans in Need (MVN), the American Legion, VFW, and the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), all with information tables to share they support the military, veterans and connect with the community

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 Wednesday, Jan. 21 at Sally's home. An informational email with details will be sent out before the event. To join the BICA email list, contact Judy at judyb1625@gmail.com. 

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 these essential services to stay warm and safe. 

They pose as utility companies, claiming you’re behind on your bill, and threatening to cut off service unless you make an immediate payment. Their goal is to trigger panic. When fear takes over, it becomes harder to think clearly, and they hope we stay in that state of panic just long enough to push through a payment. 

If you receive an unexpected call