To most birders in the U.S., a roseate tern is a special bird that takes some effort to see. They can be seen regularly in only a few places where they nest in the United States. Roseate terns have an unusual global distribution breeding on islands around Australia, Southeast Asia, parts of coastal Africa, parts of coastal Europe, the Caribbean, and coastal parts of the Canadian Maritimes. Here in the U.S., along with some that nest way down south in the Florida Keys, they nest on a few islands off Long Island, New York, islands off the shores of Connecticut and Massachusetts shore, and on a

They are just about everywhere – political signs – and they are juxtaposed against the prettier fall foliage. There are signs for candidates for various offices, sometimes there are signs for or against a local or state referendum, and, if you look close enough, there are signs asking you to vote Nov. 5 – or vote for neither presidential candidate – we know where there is one of those.

We heard this week that some local signs have either been stolen or damaged and we were asked to remind our readers that removal and/or damage of political signs is a civil violation for which, according to Maine

Our websites in the last week were showing our strides closer, much closer, to their normal caliber, as we also put out another print edition, all with the new system.

Just please do not count my gray hairs. 

I am excited to point out one stride in particular: Our daily Morning Catch emails are back, all three of them now — Penobscot Bay Pilot’s, Boothbay Register’s and Wiscasset Newspaper’s. The days they were wonky or down to be reestablished reminded us, those emails are how a lot of you get to us instead of just going straight to penbaypilot.com, boothbayregister.com or wiscassetnewspaper

Well, kiddies, did you watch the great vice presidential debate?

Who won? Was it JD, the best-looking veep candidate since J. Danforth Quayle? Or your rumpled old Uncle Timmy, the friendly guy who reminded you of a retired high school principal?

The answer is — drum roll — who cares? Nobody. The Veep is a spare for use in an emergency.

In case you haven’t noticed, this is a political season like none other. The old rules and maxims don’t matter. For instance, the MAGA-GOP gang now embraces tariffs, a thought that would have been anathema to Republicans in the years after World War II. 

Or how

Jim Jellison, resident interesting person, never imagined growing an 800-pound pumpkin. It was not his life’s goal nor a project he had ever investigated. He just did it because he could and because he was curious to see, once the idea landed, how successful he might be. He actually grew four pumpkins, but one of them, which would have been the largest, blew up during a growth spurt. The 800-pounder can be seen on Route 27 in front of the old Boothbay fire station, now home to MITCHELL & CO studio. Two other slightly less large pumpkins can be seen at the YMCA Child Enrichment Center annex and

Dear Editor:

Property taxes are an unfair tax. It is a wealth tax on unrealized gains driven by inflation and is especially unfair to the elderly.  It is tragic when the family home is lost because of taxes.  In many cases the owner is retired, on a fixed income and poor, the kids are gone, and often it is a widow, left with only the home and its memories. It is a sad day when she is forced out. It shouldn’t be this way.

Several years ago, a bill was approved with Republican support that froze taxes for the elderly.  When the bill passed, I was thrilled, not just because I would benefit, but

Dear Editor: 

Holly Stover has been a friend for years -- ever since our mothers taught together at BRES! I was shocked and saddened to see her opponent attempt to discredit her commitment to the region in his recent letter to the editor. That kind of low politics is common in national races, sadly enough, but it’s not the way we usually do things in Lincoln County.  

I researched some of Mr. Hunt's statements and because I included explanations and sources it could not fit them in 1 letter- so this is Part 1.  

 “lowest labor participation in 40 years” Maine labor participation has declined

Dear Editor:

I first met Holly Stover when she drove down our driveway before the election two years ago. She struck me as a smart and compassionate woman who took seriously her commitment to represent the people in her district and across Maine. 

I am the father of two daughters, and have two granddaughters. Extreme, unthinkable laws in other states politicize women’s healthcare rights and enable the exploitation of children. Women are forced to bring incest and rape pregnancies to term, and must drive hundreds of miles for the care we see in Maine as normal. Project 2025, and statements of

Dear Editor:

When my family first moved to Maine, we experienced something that left a lasting impression on us. One day our neighbor's house tragically burned down, leaving them with a total loss. That day, Holly Stover was one of the first people to show up—ready to offer comfort and support to the family. It wasn’t just any day, it was a holiday weekend, yet she was there, showing how deeply she cares for our community. This act of kindness was our introduction to Holly, and since then, I’ve seen how consistently she works for the people of Maine. 

I have been particularly moved by her

Dear Editor:

Votes cast by Cameron Reny and Holly Stover are not being highlighted on their re-election flyers.

It’s important to see which bills State Senator District 13 (Reny) and State Representative District 48 (Stover) favored and ask yourself: did their votes reflect what was best for their Maine constituents?

LD 2167 – Creating an Office of New Americans – favoring taxpayer funded housing for asylum seekers while life long Mainers languish on affordable housing lists 

LD 1619 - Expanding late-term abortion after viability if deemed necessary by a physician. This replaced a provision

Dear Editor: 

Dear Editor:

I had the pleasure of meeting Wayne Farrin on two occasions this past week, and strongly support his candidacy for Maine House District 47, representing Wiscasset, Alna, Jefferson and Whitefield.

Wayne has lived in Lincoln County most of his life, and has consistently contributed to our community in both working and volunteer roles. He has knowledge of the fishing industry, housing and real estate, and small business ownership for his working life. He has been a Budget Committee member and chair, YMCA Board Member, and local Chamber of Commerce member in addition to supporting local

Dear Editor:

Few would deny the lack of affordable housing here in Lincoln County and the worry it brings.

We love this place, but even if we are fortunate enough to have housing ourselves, what about our children, grandchildren, employees, friends? The comforts of home should be obtainable to more than the rich.

Senator Cameron Reny, a lifelong resident of Lincoln County, understands our values and is working hard to make housing more affordable for regular people. She sponsored and helped pass LD724, which expands workforce housing in rural Maine and prevents existing affordable housing from

Dear Editor:

You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to be a good representative of the people of Maine.  However, the citizens of District 47 are lucky that they have one. Ed Polewarczyk was one. During Ed’s time with the Space Shuttle program, he was a member of the team that gave the “Go” for launch. He was responsible for the team that managed problem solving during missions and he managed multi-million dollar projects.  

Ed developed high-level problem-solving skills during his career. He brought these skills from Houston to Augusta. Ed has the skills and the trust to work across the aisle

Dear Editor:

My late father-in-law had a saying. “Perfection is the thief of progress.” I think of Merritt when I hear candidates express utopian visions for the future. 

We need elected officials who fight for both the ideal and the pragmatic. People with a positive vision for the future who understand you can’t wave a magic wand to get there.

It’s hard work: Listening. Acting. 

You notch a victory here and there and always keep your eyes on the prize. 

Sen. Cameron Reny personifies this approach. She introduced bills to improve healthcare and make insurance companies more responsible to Mainers

Dear Editor:

I have known Ed Polewarczyk since he moved to Wiscasset, after his amazing career in rocket science. After a few years of attending many meetings in Wiscasset to familiarize himself with the process, Ed ran for Selectman. He was a very conscientious and hard working Selectman. He always did his homework, attended many town committee meetings, just to stay up to date, and made thoughtful and wise votes while in office.   

After he took some time off for surgery, I saw Ed at a Lincoln County Republican meeting, and told him I thought it was time for him to run for something at the

Dear Editor:

Forty years ago, I moved to Wiscasset from “away,” and ever since, my husband’s been explaining to me what it means to be a real Mainer. He’s talked about honesty, resourcefulness, and independence. He’s mentioned optimism and the willingness to lend a hand. 

Wayne Farrin, candidate for state representative in District 47 (Alna, Jefferson, Whitefield, and Wiscasset), has these qualities. Wayne, who has worked hard since he was a little boy in South Bristol, now balances two jobs: real estate agent and co-owner, with his wife, of the Jefferson Market. In both, he meets all kinds of

Dear Editor:

I have had the pleasure of driving Lydia Crafts around for door-to-door canvassing. I have watched her listening to constituents, never in a hurry regardless of political affiliation.  

We are so lucky to have someone with such dedication representing us in Augusta. It shows in the family-friendly policies she has supported: a $300 state child tax credit; substantial investment in accessible and affordable childcare; paid family and medical leave; free community college tuition to expand career opportunities for our youngsters; and advocating for worker rights so that when the

Dear Editor:

Bad enough that Trump blocked Biden’s (bipartisan supported) border bill so he could run his lies on the immigration issue. Worse yet that polls show that MAGA Republicans don’t consider that bad enough to vote him down.  Worse still that Trump continues Hitler’s ruse of never admitting defeat and repeating lies until they create some sick kind of truth-sense.    

MAGAs seem to crave destruction of the USA. In my mind that makes them the enemy. One MAGA friend told me, “Yeah baby, bring it on.” So bring on more tax cuts for the rich? Trillions more national debt?  

Come on people, 

Dear Editor:

Forty years ago, I moved to Wiscasset from “away,” and ever since, my husband’s been explaining to me what it means to be a real Mainer. He’s talked about honesty, resourcefulness, and independence. He’s mentioned optimism and the willingness to lend a hand. 

Wayne Farrin, candidate for state representative in District 47 (Alna, Jefferson, Whitefield, and Wiscasset), has these qualities. Wayne, who has worked hard since he was a little boy in South Bristol, now balances two jobs: real estate agent and co-owner, with his wife, of the Jefferson Market. In both, he meets all kinds of