Congratulations to coach Nick Scott, coach Warren Cossette and the Boothbay Region-Wiscasset cross-country team. As Cossette pointed out in a letter to the editor last week, with assistance from administrations at both schools, parents and athletes, the combined team worked and worked well. As the enrollment at both schools has decreased over the years, this situation was imminent and other sports programs may have to look into combining talent to field a team to compete. Good luck at the state meet on Saturday.

The long-awaited sidewalk project from the YMCA to Boothbay Center is taking shape. Let’s hope it will be a safe place to walk as cars and trucks speed up in an effort to get up the hill on the somewhat narrow road, and vehicles enter and exit Hammond Lumber and Pinkham’s Gourmet Seafood. We have tried to get information on possible traffic delays during the construction from the towns but evidently, no one knows anything about the contractor’s schedule.

After watching the Red Sox fold last week, it was a pleasure seeing the Patriots demolish the Jets on Sunday. Let’s hope the easy win gives the Pats some hope and confidence when they go up against some stronger teams the rest of this season. Next up are the Los Angeles Chargers who are coming off a bye week and a loss to the Ravens. Hopefully the long plane ride to the West Coast won’t make the Pats sluggish.

Happy Halloween, everyone, remember to vote on Tuesday and to turn your clocks back one hour on Nov. 6.