One of the rarest birds in North America has made an appearance in Maine! A Kirtland’s warbler was photographed on Matinicus Rock on Sept. 10. For us, the Kirtland’s warbler has always been almost…
Columns
’Round Town
During the recent “Shipyard Cup” races organized in Boothbay Harbor, I had the great good fortune of yet another adventure with Captain Mark Stover aboard his 32’ Luhrs Redhook. It’s always…
Joe’s Journal
I was at the Hannaford grocery store the other day trying to choose between salad fixings and red raspberries when a faithful reader stopped me and read me the riot act.
Why do you guys…
Salt ’n Spar
“Intelligence plus character — that is the goal of true education.” – Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
A couple of weeks ago, I was at Wiscasset…
After learning from two local residents that they recently received convincing calls about “free” back and knee braces, it seemed like a good time to point out that scammers are at work in our…
The next Public Supper will be Wednesday, Sept. 20. Menu will be carrot soup, biscuits, salad, creamed chicken, spoon bread, peas, and peanut butter pie. Cost is $10 for members…
Some of the top scams are the ones that have been around the longest. One might think that a crime like the tech support scam, which has been around for 15 years, might fade away but it is more…
Where It’s At
The four Boothbay Harbor art galleries participating in First Friday on Sept. 1 positively buzzed with activity.
Art lovers made their way from Boothbay Region Art Foundation (BRAF) to…
All through the summer, the background noise in many a historic Maine town (for those paying attention) is the constant chittering of chimney swifts overhead. These sooty brown-colored “flying…
’Round Town
If you look very closely you will not see any portion of today’s photo that resembles a blue moon!
There was a choice. Go to see a “Barbie” movie. Stay home with “Killer” the wonder dog, or…
Joe’s Journal
Last week, I turned on the TV, and surprise – I saw no bloviating blonds and bombastic brunettes pontificating on the future. I saw no “experts” predicting the political demise of our beloved…
The next Public Supper will be Wednesday, Sept. 20. Menu is carrot soup, biscuits, salad, creamed chicken, spoon bread, peas, and peanut butter pie. Cost is $10 for members, $12…
Last month Medicare announced that one of their contractors had been hacked and the personal information of 612,000 Medicare beneficiaries were stolen. The security breach put Social Security…
A Bird's Tale
A sliver of sparkling white beach was the last stronghold against the incoming tide for the last-of-the day beachgoers, their brightly colored beach toys, umbrellas, towels and bathing suites…
’Round Town
Every year, our family tries to gather for a week on Monhegan, but the last couple years we hit a dry spell during the height of COVID-19 and…
Joe’s Journal
Over the weekend, while the bright sun and cool breeze hinted that this strange summer was drawing to a close, Dan Miller dished out seafood platters at his East Boothbay eatery, Lobsterman’s…
Cribbage results for Tuesday, Aug. 22 at 9:30 a.m. with 20 players were first place, Doc Schilke, 847, perfect game; second, Beverly Blair, 845; third, Blanche Johnson, 831; high hand (24) Ron…
New Hope Midcoast
When people think about survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, they often think about adults. However, for many, dating violence and sexual harassment are part of their pre-teen and…
When it comes to fraud, knowledge is indeed power. But how can we spread that knowledge around so more people are empowered to protect themselves?
One great way to share what you know is…
Salt ’n Spar
Parishioners of Wiscasset’s First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, are celebrating their 250th anniversary. If you haven’t done so already mark Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 9 and 10…
A Bird’s Tale
A few weeks ago, sister-in-law Nina called from camp to get our opinion. A loon was lolling about near shore at the lake, looking a bit unkempt and flailing its legs about. She was rightly…
’Round Town
One of the most special and enjoyable benefits of my line of work, which brings constant warmth to my heart, is the opportunity to revisit so many wonderful people who live in or who return to…
Joe’s Journal
For the last few days, we have tried to get the Maine DOT to give us detailed information on their plans to renovate the Southport bridge over the Townsend Gut.
You know, Southport…
It’s hurricane season – along with wildfire and flooding season - and one of the things that often comes with all of the personal losses from a natural disaster are fake charities offering to help…
The next Public Supper will be Wednesday, Sept. 6, the Annual Lobster Meal. Menu is corn chowder, garlic bread, steamed mussels, salad, two lobster rolls, corn, and…
Down East Yacht Club
One of the two DEYC gatherings at members’ homes was hosted by Jane and Dana Mulholland at 53 Solon Road in Southport. The event was scheduled for three to five in the afternoon. The property sits…
Joe’s Journal
This Wednesday, Aug. 15 might be a nightmare for Boothbay Harbor postmaster Lesley Blethen and her stalwart crew, not to mention the postal customers. That is when about 300 or so East Boothbay…
What a wonderful treat we enjoyed at our island jewel, the Hendricks Hill Museum of Natural History (as I call it). No fancy hors-d’oeuvres, dancing ponies, dinosaur bones or door prizes, just…
Birds of mystery and grace, American Golden-Plovers are also athletes beyond comprehension. Standing on the granite shore of a spruce-cloaked Maine coastal headland on a crisp October day, and…
Criminals use a lot of different tactics to steal money from consumers, and one of those tactics is the promise of free money. This summer the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is warning taxpayers…
The next Public Supper is Wednesday, Sept. 6. The annual lobster meal. The menu includes corn chowder, garlic bread, salad, steamed mussels, two lobster rolls, corn, and blueberry…
A Bird’s Tale
The glorious blue-sky summer day on Sunday lured us to take a ride down to Pemaquid Harbor. The tide was near high when we arrived in the late afternoon, and the temperature still warm enough for…
From the assistant editor
Random rainy and overly windy day thought No. 1: Hope you have been checking out First Congregational Church of Wiscasset’s weekly historical articles as the hallmark of the hill turns 250. You…
’Round Town
Bruce John Riddell’s magnum opus has been published!
“LANDART, From Acadia to Zen” took 10 years to produce from over 35 years of work. His book is now available at Sherman’s Bookstores and…
Joe’s Journal
The columnist at a tiny weekly New England newspaper usually writes about bake sales, volunteer firefighters, taxes and the weather. I get it.
But the political events of last week were…
The next public supper will be Wednesday, Aug. 16. Menu is gazpacho, garlic bread, salad, barbecue chicken, corn, potato salad, and chocolate cream pie. Cost is $10 for members, $…
Salt ’n Spar
I was going through some papers the other day and came across a small but interesting pamphlet produced in 1994 by the town of Alna’s Bicentennial Committee. Alna is a part of Lincoln County and…
It seems like natural disaster season is never ending these days. As wildfire season moves closer to hurricane season, now is a good time to remind ourselves that after Mother Nature moves out the…
A Bird’s Tale
The oppressive heat and humidity have finally broken for us here in Maine, but many parts of the U.S. and other regions of the world are still enduring record-breaking heat. We know that high…
Joe’s Journal
OK, kiddies, here is today's news quiz.
What do Joe Biden, Mitch McConnell and Joe Gelarden have in common?
On the surface, it is evident this trio is not composed of aging heart…
’Round Town
Barna Beal Norton was a legendary resident of Jonesport, Maine, who, for all of his adult life, battled with the Canadian government over ownership of Machias Seal Island, a small…
The next Public Supper will be Wednesday, Aug. 16. Menu will be gazpacho, garlic bread, salad, barbecue chicken, corn, potato salad, and chocolate cream pie. Cost is $10 for…
Where It’s At
Heartwood Regional Theater Company’s final production of its 20th anniversary season, "Hamlet," is a perfect example of the high caliber performances that have been drawing audiences to the Poe…
A Bird’s Tale
Quiet.
Deep, profound quiet.
A quiet, unbroken by low grumbling of distant traffic or the white noise of an overhead jet. No buzzing lawnmowers or sirens. No dogs barking or brakes…
’Round Town
Once upon a time, many years ago, in the far off land of “Sarah’s Scoops,” I had a chance encounter with Aurelien Recoing at a small picnic table. I was sneaking a nice blueberry something-or-…
Joe’s Journal
I don’t have anything earthshaking to say today.
I know that admission is classified as a mortal sin in the columnist's handbook. Sorry, I plead guilty.
Like many of our dear readers…
Staying a step ahead of the scammers is like playing a never-ending game of whack-a-mole. We know that people who know about a scam are 80% less likely to even engage in it but how can you stay up…
Where It’s At
The first image directly in front of you as you enter Maine Art Gallery is the color photograph of Kaleb, a Bath Iron Works shipfitter taken by Bath photographer/artist Heather Perry. Kaleb is…
The next Public Supper will be Wednesday, Aug. 2. Menu will be chicken noodle soup, biscuits, salad, turkey loaf, cheesy grits, fresh vegetable medley, ice cream cake. A chicken…
A Bird’s Tale
Maine gets a good share of very rare birds. Some of them keep coming back.
Over the past few weeks, Maine’s ocean and offshore islands have played host to at least two exceptionally unusual…
