Dear Editor:

As a mother, I see what’s at stake — not just for my child, but for the future of our towns.

When school budgets are voted down, when we talk about closing or consolidating schools, what message are we sending? That our children aren’t worth the investment? That families don’t belong here? Because that’s exactly how it feels.

Our kids are still recovering from the pandemic — academically, emotionally, and socially. The disruption was deep, and its effects are still with them. They need more support, not less. And yet, at the very moment they need us most, we’re pulling back.

I’ve

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve wondered how a town, river or hill might have gotten its name. My curiosity extends to roads and street names, too. Maybe you’ll remember a while back I shared with you the story of how a side street in downtown Wiscasset just past the Haggett parking lot came to be called “Big Foot Alley."

Originally, it was called Sevey Lane for Wyman Bradbury Sevey, a Colonial tavern keeper who poured drinks and fed travelers at his home alongside the footpath. The townfolk, however, had always referred to this as Big Foot Ally – a not so flattering reference to the size of

Dear Editor: 

Edward Polewarczyk’s recent letter to the editor labeled “Move the Question” provides yet another false narrative about Wiscasset schools.

During the entire school budget process held in public meetings throughout this last winter and spring he asked many questions all of which were answered by school administration or members of the school committee. Just because he doesn’t like the answers or doesn’t understand the budget process doesn’t mean there was no transparency. The budget details are available on the school website and were also provided to all who attended the Budget

It’s a simple call that’s hard to ignore—a single, loud “wheeep,” or sometimes a burry “reeep.” The sound itself seems confident, brash, maybe a little raucous.

Which is why, when you search for the bird making the sound and have trouble actually seeing it, you may feel pretty frustrated. One reason that the bird making that boisterous sound—the great crested flycatcher—is hard to spot is because it is a species that prefers to stay generally within the interior of the deciduous trees and shrubs it inhabits.

But, the great crested is a flycatcher after all, so eventually one will sit out

The fun has just begun. The region has graduated its high school seniors and the ceremonies were a delight to behold. Boothbay’s 114th annual Grand March is a beautiful tradition which will hopefully go on, and on, and on! Congratulations to the Wolverines and Seahawks who received diplomas last week. May you have great memories of your time at WMHS and BRHS, respectively, and be successful and happy in your future endeavors.

And good luck to our area eighth graders who move on to high school after this week. Grades nine through 12 will pass by quicker than you think but the memories gained

If it's Saturday on the Midcoast, it might just rain again. That's quite a streak we are on.

If you're reading this the Thursday of our week 24 print edition, Wiscasset's Class of 2025 members have been graduates a full week. We wish them joy, peace, adventure and good decision-making. And no matter when or where anyone reading this did or did not graduate, may we repeat here new Wiscasset graduate Ismael Martinez' advice to his classmates to know they can fall back on someone, and not to isolate themselves. Words to remember.

If it's June, we are getting Strawberry Festival announcements. St

Back in the day, Darrell Martinie, “The Cosmic Muffin” (for those of us with a more outer space orientation) would provide astrological information on, yes, wait for it, WBLM radio. His presentation was always an event with a legendary signoff: "It’s a wise person who rules the stars,it’s a fool who’s ruled by them. Over and out.” For what it's worth, Mr. Martinie provided some obtuse suggestions regarding how things might go, given particular extraterrestrial alignment. It was a glimpse. A small segment of what could be in store for us at any given moment. And when Mercury was in retrograde

The other day we celebrated a key battle in a great conflict. No, I am not referring to Godzilla v. King Kong, although that might be fun to watch. And I am not thinking about the latest national political cage match, POTUS v. Musk.

No, last week we marked the 81st anniversary of D-Day, the massive Allied invasion of Normandy that was the beginning of the end of the Nazi occupation of Europe. This year, this annual milestone was skipped by most American national leaders, except for the SecDef, who began the day doing PT with Army Rangers on Omaha Beach where an estimated 2,400 Americans were

The next public supper will be Wednesday, June 18. The meal will consist of black bean soup, salad, rolls, turkey tetrazzini, peas, and cherry rhubarb crisp al al mode.

The cost is $10 for members and $12 for non-members. Additional meals may be purchased for takeout at the same cost when reserved. Takeouts should be picked up at 5:45 p.m. For more information or to make a reservation, call 882-8230 and join us for a wonderful meal.

Cribbage results for Tuesday, June 3 with 25  players: First place: Nancy Schilke, 837. Second place: Ron Bodge and Catherine               Rolerson, 831.High hand

She’s a genre blender. Innovator. Three-time Grammy winner. Gotta be Alison Brown. If you missed Alison and the Band last June, I advise you not to make that mistake again: They are returning to the Opera House Friday the 13th - yes, this month, for a 7 p.m. show. Got tickets? No? You best get on that.

Discovering Alison Brown and her music last year (yeah, yeah ... hey, better late to the party than never arriving, right?), I felt like I was hearing the banjo for the first time. It's a combination of Alison's writing and playing, obviously, but it's also the musicians in the band she's making

The impact of elder financial abuse is profound. While abuse can come from known perpetrators like caregivers or family members, scams carried out by strangers are also a major threat. In fact, the Federal Trade Commission estimated that criminals stole as much as $61.5 billion from adults age 60 and over in 2023 alone. With World Elder Abuse Awareness Day coming up on June 15, it's a timely reminder that we can take steps to prevent the financial exploitation of older adults. 

Encourage older adults in your life to add a trusted contact to their financial accounts. This person won’t have

Nineteen years ago, I was asked by former Boothbay Region High School Alumni Association president Lynn (Gilley) Martin to be the guest speaker at the former Alumni Banquet (hopefully it will return some day).

It was our son's graduating class (2006) and it was a great collection of students who got along well with classmates and adults alike.

Anyway, long story short, I survived the night thanks to my son-in-law Robbie Watts and former local teacher Eric Chamberlin. What I had done – with their help with photos and script – was a slide show using photos of the graduates when they were younger

From childhood, Nancy Merrill visited with her family at their Southport, Cozy Harbor residence. The three and half-hour trip from Jackman was always worth the arrival at her final destination overlooking the harbor just across the Pratt’s Island road from the iconic Rand boathouse at the water’s edge. Nancy’s mother grew up in the family house with parents Mr. and Mrs. Roscoe Rand Sr. A more idyllic location is hard to imagine and Nancy took full advantage of her time and visits.

Some years back, Nancy’s mother decided to return to the family homestead but the old house was in hard shape

For the last several years, people have only been able to ride the rails off and on in Wiscasset, mostly off, unless they worked on a freight train. It feels like Maine Switching Services' upcoming run at excursions might be the one, though. It has a lot going for it feasibility-wise. So, unless you do not believe in psssenger rail, let's wish them well and maybe hop on board (with a ticket) this fall to show them we want to, and will, ride. 

In the meantime, how lucky are we? Just drive next door to Alna, or onto the Boothbay peninsula, and you can already ride. Not to shopping in Bath or

Memorial Day usually marks the end of mud season and the start of summer. But it is more than a note on the calendar. It is a special national celebration.

We gathered on that sunny Monday morning to participate in a slice of our uniquely American pie. Beginning at the tip of Newagen, a group of veterans, some old, some younger, both men and women, marched to the beat of a community band. We heard preachers preach and town fathers speak. As buglers bugled "Taps," we stood tall and bowed our heads to honor the fallen.

This group of veterans traveled to Southport Square, Boothbay Harbor Memorial

All birds are wonderfully mysterious in their own unique ways.

But some are downright perplexing.

For us, the cedar waxwing is in that category.

We are thinking about cedar waxwings a lot lately because we’ve noticed what seems to be a dramatic increase in numbers of them in the last few weeks in places where we bird.

That increase is actually a reflection of a surprising fact about cedar waxwings. Although there are at least some cedar waxwings here in Maine all year—even in the coldest part of the dead of winter—there’s a major spring influx of them in late May. Based on eBird data, the

The next public supper will be Wednesday, June 18. The meal will consist of black bean soup, salad, rolls, turkey tetrazzini, peas, and cherry rhubarb crisp al al mode. The cost is $10 for members and $12 for non-members. Additional meals may be purchased for takeout at the same cost when reserved. Takeouts should be picked up at 5:45 p.m. For more information or to make a reservation, call 882-8230 and join us for a wonderful meal.

Cribbage results for Tuesday, May 27 with 25 players: First place: Nancy Schilke, 844. Second place: Ron Bodge, 828. Third place: Beverly Blair, 826. High hand

Just as April showers bring May flowers, the summer season brings a bumper crop of garage sale signs. Summer Saturday mornings are filled with savvy shoppers hunting for the best treasures. A win-win for the shoppers and the sellers. 

Yet, for some of us, garage sales are a reminder that other people have steadfastly cleaned their garages and decluttered their homes, while I, to my shame, have not.   

Whether people are downsizing their homes or looking to declutter, it turns out that getting rid of stuff is really hard to do. According to move.org, Americans spend an average of $200 a month

If your phone’s been lighting up with messages saying you owe a road toll, you’re not alone. Criminals are blasting out fake texts pretending to be from government agencies or toll services. Their goal? To scare or rush you into clicking a link, handing over personal info or making a payment.

Here’s what you need to know: legitimate toll agencies don’t collect payment via text message, and they won’t threaten you over a missed toll.

If you get a message about unpaid tolls, do not respond or click on any links—even if it looks legit. Instead, check your account using the state tolling agency or

The Maine State Aquarium’s 2025 season begins on Wednesday, June 11, and preparations are going swimmingly. Last year’s grand reopening was a huge hit with over 26,000 visitors, and this year we have more to debut.

We’ve added a variety of Gulf of Maine species to our tanks, including the amazing alewife from the Androscoggin River. A recent bloom of moon jellies in Boothbay Harbor means our moon jelly exhibit is ready for viewing. Along with that is an exhibit on what goes on behind the scenes to care for our animals. Behind the scenes tours of our animal care and filtration system will be