I’ve been so busy getting ready to make the trek from Florida back to my beloved home state of Maine that I forgot to wish you a happy Pecan Day on April 14. I do apologize! So nuts to the column I had planned and let’s talk about pecans today.

There’s no denying it: America’s manufacturing sector has faced more than its share of tough challenges through the past few decades. But despite countless setbacks and roadblocks, our manufacturing base has (true to the American spirit) persevered with great strength and resilience. America is still the number one manufacturer in the world, and American-made products are still in high demand. That’s because we make quality goods here — and only the best in Maine.

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree announced April 22 that Wiscasset is getting $1.2 million in federal funding to pay for a new clean-water project that will upgrade some of the town's pump stations and replace water and sewer lines on Birch Point Road and in downtown Wiscasset.

Robert McArtor’s legs were tiring on Heartbreak Hill in Monday’s Boston Marathon, and it was warmer than ideal, but the energy of the crowd carried him and other runners onward, the 75-year-old Southport man said.

The clock is ticking on nominations for several posts up for election in Wiscasset, including seats on the board of selectmen and the school and budget committees.

The deadline to turn in nomination papers at the town clerk's office is 4 p.m. Friday, April 25.

On Friday, April 11, Partners in Education's ad hoc Strategic Planning Organizing Committee for Wiscasset Schools published a survey to gather community input, ideas and opinions on public education in general and specifically here, in Wiscasset. The results of the survey will be the starting point for discussion at a June strategic planning session, lead by a professional facilitator.

If Wiscasset Interim Town Manager Don Gerrish hadn't touched department heads’ requests before putting them in the budget draft, the proposed capital improvements would have come to $1.77 million.

Gerrish looked at what appeared to be most needed now, and got the total down to $471,890. The biggest chunk is $150,000 for a new roof for the 1998 Wiscasset Community Center.