In the history of Wiscasset, there have been at least three distinct times when economic destruction occurred. Through those periods, the town maintained its resolve and overcame adversity. Wiscasset always found a new source of prosperity, despite the cycles of history.

In all the history of Wiscasset, there is a time—from 1980 until 1995—that surpassed all other eras in terms of community spirit, pride in the schools, and the success of every department in our Shiretown.

Many would argue that the influx of money allocated to Wiscasset from Maine Yankee was the cause of the spectacular rise of our community, our academic and athletic success, and the general feeling that we were always moving forward in a positive way. I would argue, however, that one family and his undying appreciation for the town and its people were the real reasons for our successes in that Golden Era 1980-1995. Phil and Marjorie Divece are that couple!

In 1980, it was no coincidence that a young couple, Phil and Marjorie DiVece, started a local newspaper: The Wiscasset Times. With Phil as the editor, reporter, and sportswriter, and Marge as the ever-patient scribe, Phil transformed the local news into an adventure involving all the town's people and its entities. Whether it was a fire, a humorous picture of the weather, or a sports team accomplishing a goal, Phil DiVece showed our strengths, weaknesses, triumphs, and failures with compassion, empathy, and, above all else, care.

The stories Phil wrote exemplified the best in every person and organization he had the privilege to cover. Even when he disagreed, both sides of a story were explored so that you could make your own decisions rather than be told what to think. Having someone appreciate us more than we appreciated ourselves was a luxury we never could have imagined. Many things before 1980 were amazing in the history of Wiscasset; however, no one from 1980 to 1995 told those facts with the flair, love, and enthusiasm of Mr. Phil DiVece.

The irony is that our town can often be judgmental, condescending, or sarcastic toward people from "away." Whether it was the characters at the fire department playfully chiding Phil, or the fans at the basketball games he traveled to incessantly teasing him about not knowing Wiscasset history, Phil stayed the course. Through it all, Phil and Marjorie raised a family while instilling every positive quality they saw in Wiscasset and its people—all the while making every person they came into contact with feel like a star.

Unfortunately, all too often we forget the very people who have shown us love and kindness and emulated our best qualities. The Wiscasset Times lifted and documented every aspect of that era, making magic by acknowledging every person’s importance to the community.

From "Finding Willy" in the paper to get a free cheeseburger from a local restaurant, to waiting each week to see what Dr. Quick, Patti Joe Averill, or Jeff and Brian Pendleton would do next to prank each other, we knew Phil would find a gem to make us laugh, cry, or reflect. That is what made The Wiscasset Times special: it was real, not fluff. When you can appreciate reality as Phil showed it to us, the joy becomes a little more joyous because you have earned it.

Their love for the community did not end in 1995. Quietly, during the pandemic, Phil and Marjorie assisted the Wiscasset school system, the Chewonki Foundation, and every organization that needed a volunteer or a kind word. Through their courage, persistence, and unshakable belief in the Wiscasset area, they have documented our history in written words, sharing it with us and never losing faith in the people of our town—even when we lost it in ourselves.

The history from 1980 to 1995 stands as a tribute to how positive reporting, integrity, and a belief in people can transform a community to achieve greatness. I would argue that Phil and Marjorie DiVece were the epitome of everything good about our community and were exemplary role models to us all.

Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. DiVece, for forever showing us what we are capable of when we work together and appreciate every citizen.

As The Wiscasset Times showed through Phil and Marge:

Economic good times will come and go… What matters are the real heroes, you—it just takes time to recognize them and yourselves.

Warren Cossette spent 35 years coaching, teaching, and being an administrator for Wiscasset School Department.