Either thing we mention here might also make it into next edition's planned list of five good things that happened in or near Wiscasset in November. But these are so good, the extra recognition is well deserved.

The first is Help Yourself Shelf's continuing of its yearly effort to help ensure a food-filled Thanksgiving, just as that St. Philip's Church-based pantry also helps keep the food coming the rest of the year. How can we say enough about the dedication the volunteers show year in and year out? This Thanksgiving and every week, for all your efforts, thank you.

And how about what Lincoln

Music is wonderful.

No matter where you go in the world, music is part of the journey. It connects culture and supports regional history. Music is as much of a cultural identity as the very people it accompanies.

Growing up with music was a big part of my life and the lives of our family. There was always music coming from the coffin-sized Zenith stereo, with pockets packed full of record albums. I suspect the music helped our mother survive four children and a house full of activities. Mother was from a large musical family which consisted of teachers, musicians and singers. All of

Thanksgiving.

It is a national holiday. A day we take off work to do what? To sit around a table with family and friends to eat too much turkey and stuffing and cranberry jelly and green bean casserole topped off with pumpkin pie? To ramble on with relatives and friends we see too seldom and catch up on the news of the family we love? To try to tiptoe around the toxic political issues of the day that could surround our pleasant family gathering with a black cloud?

Let the Old Scribbler make a suggestion. In my living room is a low bench on which sits a large black screen. It is a TV set that

Here in the U.S., many people will gather this week around the ritual of a meal intended to celebrate community and the ideals of sharing and supporting. We call this celebratory ritual Thanksgiving, of course, but similar traditions are known across the world from most cultures.

Celebratory or ritualized meals are common among humans, are there parallels within other parts of the animal world—in particular, the bird world—that could be part of the story of how such gatherings came to be in us humans?

One of the common threads in celebratory meal traditions seems to be that there is

Dear Editor:

It could have a promise from Putin to never invade again.
It could have a promise from from the US and NATO to defend Ukraine at all cost if Russia breaks the deal.
It doesn't matter, because as soon as the Democrats regain power Russia will invade again and the US and NATO will do nothing.

Joe Scorcia

Boothbay

“Exploding Lobster” by Judy Nixon. At first glance I thought the subject must be a red phoenix rising from the ashes. The white floating objects floating away above the body, feathers. I was quite satisfied with my supernaturalist interpretation until I looked at the name of the painting. My eyes widened and then I just burst out laughing ... and then as I looked closer lobster claws and the shape of the body were visible. And those “feathers” are what we dip in butter.

This is but one of the reasons I have always loved the annual ART in the Square show at Boothbay Region Art Foundation. You

The annual holiday season is upon us. Wiscasset’s Early Riser sale is in the books, Gardens Aglow is shining brightly, holiday sales (Early Bird Sale this Saturday in Boothbay Harbor), craft fairs, open houses and much more. Lots of events and projects to support. Look ahead for more by reading our calendar of events if you need to get “into the spirit.” Wow, where to go next?

I have a hard enough time getting my Christmas decorations up, let alone getting to the various celebrations. I will be getting some time off next week so maybe I will take in an event or two – after getting the

Did you know a sailboat in Wiscasset harbor broke its mast at the bridge in a recent storm?

You did if you read it at wiscasset.gov, like I got around to doing in the hours before press time this week. The boat mishap is found in the harbor master's October report, released with other department heads' reports last week on the town's website as part of the packet for selectmen's Nov. 18 meeting.

The report said the boat had dragged its mooring, and the bridge stopped the boat. 

Wiscasset's department head reports tend to be chock full of noteworthy and sometimes newsworthy items we might not

The holiday deals are already rolling in, but not every offer you see online is the real deal.

Fraud criminals often create websites that look professional and offer big discounts on popular items.  But after you pay for the item, the product you receive might be of poor quality, not what was advertised, or it never arrives at all.

Be cautious of any online offer that’s priced way below what other retailers are charging. The safest way to shop is by using trusted retailers’ apps or typing their website directly into your browser — not by clicking links from texts, emails, or ads.

Learn how to

Our old barn road winds down through some aging spruce, through a wet area, on its way to Southport State Road 27. About 100 feet from the end of the barn road, there is a small jog off to the right which skirts some ledge in a particularly dense and scrubby section of pucker brush. Not an area to hang out in but one which requires some trimming back from time to time so entry onto Southport Route 27 doesn’t result in conflicting interests! 

It turns out, this very same, somewhat troublesome area provides decent cover to critters of all variety, including today’s celebrity barred owl. As you

If you are a semi-news junkie, like me, last week was a Doozie, one for the record books.

"It began with a double whammy as the bipartisan government shutdown raced beyond Day 40. 

About 42 million Americans who depend on SNAP food assistance faced hunger as the program ran out of money. In many states, not-for-profit groups and local folks, like our good friends in Boothbay, Damariscotta and Wiscasset, stepped up to provide help. Meanwhile, the nation’s airline travel industry tiptoed towards chaos as many air traffic controllers, the folks who keep the planes from bumping into one another

As all Mainers know, staying warm becomes important come November, and critical by December. However, that is easier said than done for many Mainers. The ability to heat your house is an unspoken luxury for some, and not easily done by many. Maine State government and local organizations know this and have some resources established to be able to assist those who struggle to heat their homes. The resource information compiled in this article is from either the State, or the Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission.

One large program you’ve likely heard of is Maine Housing’s Home Energy

Trauma from domestic abuse affects survivors in every aspect of their human existence—body, mind and spirit. While physical injuries and wounds can be diagnosed and treated by medical professionals, the cruelty and oppression that even non-violent abusers inflict can only be ameliorated through community support, understanding and a collective commitment to supporting victims and holding abusers accountable.  

The monthly Chapter meeting was called to order by Regent Miller at 11:34 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 13 at the American Legion Post 36. The meeting was attended remotely by associate members Ann Waggaman and Tammy Cruickshank with 10 members and prospective members in attendance. The program on the history of the Pownalborough Courthouse and the Bowman House in Dresden was given by Linda Wood. Holiday cards for veterans were signed. Highlights of the Fall State MSODAR Meeting were discussed including the talk given by Mary Reid of the Frances Perkins Homestead in Newcastle. The meeting was

A few days ago, we were walking the dog when we heard what sounded exactly like the sweet call notes of pine grosbeaks. This surprised us. It seemed too early for these northern finches to be here. But there they were, six of them in the top of a tree in the neighborhood.

A glance at eBird and we knew we weren’t the only ones to have found pine grosbeaks here in Maine in the last week or two. No, they’re not in everyone’s backyard, but a handful have been found across the state.

Birders (ourselves included) in the northeastern U.S. always seem to get particularly excited by the prospect of

It is amazing how this region pulls together for those in need, the most recent helping those affected by the government shutdown and the hold on SNAP benefits. Hannaford gift cards from the Community Resource Council, meals put on by organizations (Legion and YMCA breakfast held on Sunday), free dinners provided by restaurants (Whale’s Tale), free breakfasts (Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library), donations to the Food Closet and Food Pantry, businesses collecting food (First National Bank), and those donations we don’t know about. And that’s just recently. Suppers and/or raffle drawings have

For I think the first time this fall, the chance of brief, likely non-accumulating snow was forecast for our area earlier this week. At press time, the chance was dimming, which was fine by me, since I am no fan. If you are one, or if you need snow for any part of your livelihood, I, as I have in previous years here, wish you a snowy winter, but I shan't wish it for the rest of us.

If it must be a snowy winter, we can probably all agree 'tis better than an icy one. A winter too mild for much snow can bring an ice storm and that is no one's friend.

The white sky of winter has already appeared

Well, kiddies. Did you have fun on Election Day? Did you vote for the winner or the loser?

On the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November 2025, we all won.

Once again, we made the decision. It was not some general or duke or some big shot rich guy who called the shots. It was the guy down the street, the old dude waiting for cold cuts at Hannaford, the lady salivating over the yummy, gooey cheese at Kimmy’s Eventide House of Goodies. It was the local guy trying to make a living off the critters that swim in the sea and wiggle on the bottom. It was the guy who drives a Rolls and the

Sometimes the deadline for this column is challenging. I tend not to be good with deadlines, especially ones that are reoccurring. Too many games without a helmet I suspect! But then, it’s probably more realistic to admit that forming habits was never one of my strong suits, possibly encouraged by my significant dose of attention deficit. The number of started projects versus the number of completed ones is considerable. Eventually, things get done but often they take a while. Not a great attribute especially when completion is often associated with paydays in the work-a-day world. I run a