Dear Editor:

The Boothbay boys tennis team wishes to thank Ms. Lisa McIntosh, director of operations, and Mr. Andy Hamblett, chief executive officer of the Boothbay Region YMCA for welcoming us to play home matches inside on inclement weather days.

This season, one week shorter than last year, and the wettest in recent memory, BRHS Athletic Director Allan Crocker has worked tirelessly to get all 10 scheduled matches played by the May 28 deadline. To date, our YMCA has accommodated us to start home matches at 4 p.m. or earlier on three occasions, with another inside match--our team tournament

Memorial Day is a day of remembering and honoring the past. We especially remember those who have died while serving to protect our nation. In such a time we also tend to think of and honor others who may have served in the military but were spared. And it can be a time of memorializing loved ones in general.

This year on Memorial Day, we were blessed with a warm, blue sky day with trees bursting in new green leaves, apple trees draped in white and pink blossoms, and wildflowers of every color on the roadsides and in the woods. After a number of days of rain, there seemed also to be a

This week's headline is not referring to this spring's zigzagging temperatures, although it could be. No, this is a combo editorial: The May installment of our yearlong, monthly five good things that happened in or near Wiscasset; plus, something not good which has continued to plague the town government.

Good news first, or bad? Bad, because it is important, and because I'd rather end this week's column on an up note. 

So, as we have mentioned here before, sometimes people are rude to the town office staff; that is no more OK than it is at the grocery store, a drive-up window, etc. People are

First of all, it was so nice to cover the Memorial Day celebrations and observances under blue skies and warm temperatures.

Other coverage highlights:

—Christopher Armstead, Americanism officer at Legion Post 36, did a marvelous job getting everything organized for the parade and observances.

—The crowds, especially the Newagen and Southport observances that I covered, were well attended and respectful.

—Grand marshal Jim Singer was an excellent choice. He has done so much for veterans in the region, especially starting the Veterans Banner project. And he did a great job placing the

I’ve misplaced my sunblock! Ha!

Continuing on with the theme of summer, a followup on last week’s fishing experience column, I remain invested in an archive dive from days gone by. To this end, allow me to share brief recollections of my Antonisa experience.

The photo attached with this week’s adventure was made from a magnificent flying machine, the “Bell Jet Ranger,” then owned and operated by Maine Helicopters based in Whitefield. It is probably my most favorite platform from which to photograph. The Jet Ranger is spacious and maneuverable, with a picture window view from the open side

The big buzz in Washington last week had something to do with the discovery that former President Joe Biden was old.

A couple of reporters wrote a book that quoted Biden associates claiming he showed signs of mental decline for the last several years and should not have sought reelection. The book, "Original Sin," also said Biden’s close aides kept this knowledge from the public and his cabinet. The authors, Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, likened the Biden aides to the Soviet Politburo that kept the public in the dark.

Of course, his mental decline came to light last June during the

Now that the warm weather is upon us, it is time to go outside and clean gravestones. Over time, gravestones can accumulate dirt, lichen, moss, algae, bird droppings, tree sap, soil splashing, mildew, and pollution, which can accelerate the deterioration of the stone and make it difficult to read. 

The purpose of cleaning headstones is not to make them look like new, but to be able to read them and keep from deteriorating further. 

Most headstones are made from granite, limestone, marble or slate. These four stones are popular options due to their durability and ability to be manipulated

Tell Your Story! Have you ever wanted to write about your family, a favorite pet, a special vacation, or your work history? Don’t miss this chance to get started! In this upcoming writing class, instructor Jean Larkin will guide you through the basics to help you begin capturing your personal stories. 

Class Dates: June 5, 12 and 19; Time: 10 a.m.-noon; Space is limited—call 633-9876 to reserve your spot today!   

Floral Workshop with Harbor Blooms! Join Andrea and Thomas Peaslee, owners of Harbor Blooms, for a fun and creative flower arranging workshop at the Community Center on Thursday

The American Legion Auxiliary is holding its annual Veterans Suicide Awareness Walkathon on June 7 at 10 a.m. Veteran suicide awareness is essential because veterans face a higher risk of suicide than the general population. According to the VA’s 2024 Veteran Suicide Report, based on the latest VA 2022 statistics, there were 43 veteran suicides among the 101,873 veterans in Maine. The rate of non-veteran suicides is 23.1 per 100,000 of the general population. Nationally, there were 18.4 veteran suicides per 100,000 of the national population, which translates to 17.6 veteran suicides each

Last week's speaker, Tammy Plummer, chief information officer at The First, provided a timely and thought-provoking talk on phishing and other scams that we should all be aware of.

She said her message is honed by the Maine Bankers Association; "fraud is not a competitive issue."  And she provided "red flags" that we should all think about not only when a Nigerian prince offers to send $5 million, but also less obvious scams when someone calls purportedly from Microsoft or Social Security informing us of what they claim is an imminent threat. Those red flags are:  

* Sense of urgency

Dear Editor:

Trump set an all-time record for executive orders in the first 100 days of his second term: 142, all of them outrageous, absurd, and / or unconstitutional.

Now let’s do the math: More than two-and-a-half lawsuits filed per day against these orders; Justice Department and white-shoe defense lawyers charging $600 an hour to fight them.

Imagine the total cost to both plaintiffs and to us, the American taxpayers, who are forced to pay for defending Executive Branch violations of laws, rules, and ethical norms. And it’s not just the money; the time and effort wasted in this judicial

Dear Editor:

The Edgecomb Eddy School is the beating heart of our community, a cornerstone deserving our unwavering support. It's more than a building; it's where our children thrive, forging friendships and learning values. Our dedicated teachers and staff provide exceptional, individualized attention in a safe, familiar environment, ensuring every student gets the support they need.

In our current political climate, it's easy to get caught up in national issues and lose sight of the local matters that profoundly impact our daily lives. However, the future of our school and our children

Dear Editor:

Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor taxpayers will see an average rise of 8.5% in their school-related taxes because of the proposed $13,652,455 budget.

The total assessment for both towns is $11,407,413.  We currently have 369 local students (BB 247, BBH 122) in our two schools.

Every student is important. Our teachers are important. But are these numbers financially sustainable at this rate of increase?

A no vote doesn’t mean you are anti-school or anti-education.  It is simply a request to send the budget back for a more thorough review to find additional tax savings. Note: This

Dear Editor:

Whether you are a new resident or someone who has spent years on the peninsula, we need your help at the St. Andrews Thrift Shop. We are looking for volunteers who may work 3-hour shifts to support the projects that benefit from funds raised by the Thrift Shop. We support scholarships for people studying in the medical field and we help purchase equipment used by Urgent Care and Lincoln Hospital. All to the benefit of our community.

Stop by the Thrift Shop in the Meadow Mall and pick up an application. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Patty Colhoun

President, St. Andrews

Our district is surrounded by water. The ocean, rivers, and lakes throughout Lincoln County keep us alive, literally and economically, through tourism, fisheries, and marine trades. Maine’s boatyards and marinas connect our people to this essential resource. These businesses ensure that recreational boaters can enjoy a safe day on the water, and that those who rely on our waters to earn a living can count on the boats and engines that power their businesses.  

However, running a marine business in a state where the water can stay frozen and unfriendly until mid-April is not always easy. Like

 QR codes are everywhere – from restaurant menus to package tracking. But where there is innovation, there are criminals exploiting them for fraud. QR codes are now being used by scammers to lead you to phishing websites, where they may steal sensitive details like banking info, login credentials and more.  

Before acting on a QR code in the real world, check for signs of manipulation (a sticker over the original QR, for example). And you don’t have to use a QR code – if you’re at a restaurant, ask for the printed menu. Also, look at emailed or texted QR codes with suspicion; the point of

In a town where community values run deep, the enduring partnership between First National Bank (FNB) and the Boothbay Region YMCA is a heart-felt beacon of what local collaboration can achieve. Their shared commitment to social responsibility and community well-being is not only visible—it’s transformative. 

“First National has long understood that connecting with people is the most valuable kind of investment,” says YMCA CEO Andy Hamlett. “Their continued support enables us to expand our reach and deepen our impact across the region.” 

One of the most visible examples of this partnership

It was eleven o’clock on Sunday night, May 18, here in Maine. The lilac flowers glowed like purple ghosts in the dim light from the porch lamp; near the end of driveway, limbs covered in apple blossoms reached through the darkness to the sky. Occasionally, a car passed through the light beaming down from the telephone pole at the corner.

It was not a moment that many people would associate with bird migration.

Yet above us, unseen, were hundreds, perhaps thousands of birds flying north. We knew because of their high-pitched flight calls pitched down in the dark—short little packets

Should the sun start shining for more that two or three days in a row … and Saturdays being one of those days (it seems every Saturday for the past month has been cloudy, rainy and downright miserable for getting outside to work or play), the unofficial summer season begins this coming Monday, Memorial Day, and, hopefully, tourists will start flocking to the region.

Our region depends on tourism and depending on the weather, it’s a make or break time for local businesses. Having gone through one summer (I am sure there were others, but this one comes to mind) during my college years, where

With recent forecasts looking a bit glum, and additionally, with my fog infatuation, I figured it might be better to look elsewhere for this week’s adventure. So, a deep archive dive was in order.And look what I found! 

When Megan and Morgan were little folk we lived in the Harbor, up on Sherman Street, next to Nettie Mitchell (no relation) in a house previously owned by Verna Coady, a direct relation to “Commander Coady,” my personal hairdresser whose office was located under the bowling alley just off the sidewalk from the “Footbridge” approach.Bernard Coady actually suggested I/we have