Join local author Shannon M. Parker on Thursday, July 31 at 6 p.m. at Footbridge Brewery in Boothbay Harbor as she discusses her third novel, “Love & Lobsters."  Celebrated by Down East as “a love letter to Maine,” Parker’s book has been optioned for film and is Maine Public Radio’s August pick for “All Books Considered.”

While Parker relied on talks with Maine lobster fishers and the wide body of research around lobster behavior to inform her novel, she also drew from the pervasive commitment to community, care and sustainability cultivated by Mainers.

As anyone who has launched a business knows, it can’t be done alone. The engagement of local community is critical, as is the belief and financial support of donors. For the past eight years, Hearty Roots has been fortunate to be part of an enthusiastic village of helpers. Without the breadth and depth of generosity it has received, Hearty Roots could not have connected with the 600 kids who participated in its programs last year. 

A new convenience store will likely open later this fall on Route One in Edgecomb. The Patel family, which owns Wiscasset Quik Stop and several other business properties in the region, has bought the plaza at 21 U.S. Route One and plans on replacing the three retail units with one convenience store.

July 17, the Edgecomb planning board gave conditional approval to the project pending receiving state permits. On July 22, Harry Patel confirmed the family is preparing the new property for business. Patel reported the store's name as All-In-One Market.

AUGUSTA (July 23, 2025)—The Maine Association of Realtors reports 1,441 single family home sales during June 2025, 10.51 percent more than June 2024, with a median sales price (MSP) of $425,00, an increase of 4.94 percent compared to a year ago. The MSP indicates that half of the homes were sold for more and half sold for less.

Be sure to attend the St. Giles Episcopal Church fair this weekend held on the church grounds in Jefferson under the tall pines at 72 Gardiner Road (Route 126). The fair is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a live auction at 11 a.m.

After more than four decades of service and stewardship, Dennis Hilton has officially passed the torch to the next generation of leadership at three of Lincoln County’s most respected family-owned businesses: Cheney Insurance, Newcastle Vacation Rentals, and Newcastle Realty.

Alna's updated list of permit and other fees is meant to be user-friendly and the fees, fair, Alna Third Selectman Coreysha Stone said July 17. Among the updates, the board set a voluntary, annual business permit renewal at $25; the voluntary part is because Stone learned from Maine Municipal Association, a town cannot charge for a business permit just to make money.

Coastal Rivers seeks volunteers to join its “Bittersweet Brigade” workdays, taking place every Wednesday from 9 to 11 a.m. at Coastal Rivers’ Round Top Farm through the summer and fall.

An invasive plant is a non-native plant species that, once introduced to a new ecosystem, establishes itself, reproduces, and spreads aggressively. These plants can displace native species, alter habitats, and negatively impact various aspects of the ecosystem. 

Maine State Credit Union is bringing its Shred-It event to the Rockland community, Friday, July 25, 2025, at its branch located at 168 Camden Street. From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Shredding On-Site will be securely disposing of personal and sensitive documents — free of charge.

Ahold Delhaize USA Services reported, personal information of 95,000 Mainers who are current or former employees of subsidiary Hannaford have been affected by a data breach described by the company as an "external system breach (hacking)" that occurred Nov 5, 2024 and was discovered Nov. 6, according to the required breach notification filed with the Maine Attorney General's Office June 26.

Sellers and buyers are in the market and housing demand remains steady. According to Maine Listings, comparing May 2025 to May 2024, sales of single-family existing homes rose 3.28 percent with 1,227 sales. Maine’s statewide median sales price (MSP) increased 6.52 percent to $425,000 over that same time. The MSP indicates that half of the homes were sold for more and half sold for less.

Take a million dollars, or take a $10 million bond package and pay back $9 million. That is the question Wiscasset Town Manager Dennis Simmons shared with selectmen June 17. He said the town sought funding from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), toward the sewer plant's move and upgrading two pump stations. The Fund turned down the request on the station upgrades and, on the plant's move, offered a $10 million bond package with a 30-year term at 2.5%, Simmons said.

On Wednesday, June 25 from 6 to 7 p.m. the next Ocean on Tap event will be held at Footbridge Brewery, 25 Granary Way, Boothbay Harbor.

The Innovative Gear Library Team of Maine's Department of Marine Resources will be speaking about their collaborative project testing alternative fishing gear and providing real-world feedback. There's a slight overlap with the Windjammer Days Street Parade, but we hope you can join us after for this fascinating conversation!

Members of the MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital and MaineHealth Mid Coast Hospital Community Health Improvement Committee announced their support for two organizations focusing on providing safe, affordable housing and the needed support services for low-income individuals and families who may otherwise be homeless. 

Coastal Rivers is hosting an “after hours” Trail Tamers work partyat Bass Rock Preserve in Round Pond on Wednesday, June 18 from 5 to 6:30 p.m.  

The Skidompha Secondhand Book Shop in downtown Damariscotta is open every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. now through Labor Day.

The shop is located on the river at 17 Backstreet Landing, behind Elm Street Plaza. It is normally open from 9 to 4.

Woolwich selectmen opened snow plowing bids from five local contractors June 4, but postponed awarding the contracts until they can review the proposals in more detail. Chairman David King said the board planned to hold a special meeting Friday morning, June 6 announcing the winning bids afterwards. All of the bidders were local contractors. A special town meeting to raise monies for winter road maintenance is scheduled for 6 p.m. June 25 in the town office hearing room, added King.

Protect Maine’s Fishing Heritage Foundation (protectmaine.com) wants to prevent “foreign corporate ownership of our public waters in the state of Maine” and has hired Drummond Woodsum law firm to draft a moratorium ordinance and a model aquaculture ordinance, a consultant for the foundation told Wiscasset selectmen June 3. Bailey Bowden said the foundation will be in town talking with residents, including fishermen and shellfish harvesters, to gauge interest.

He is picking up a prior contractor's work doing that, he said. 

Cheney Insurance is proud to welcome Charlyn Foster to its team of trusted professionals. A Maine native with 19 years of experience in the insurance industry, Charlyn brings a deep understanding of customer needs along with a strong work ethic, reliability, and a personable approach that aligns perfectly with Cheney Insurance’s values.

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.