Researchers have advanced a new way to see into the ocean’s depths, establishing an approach to detect algae and measure key properties using light. A paper published in in the scientific journal “Applied Optics” reports using a laser-based tool, “lidar,” to collect these measurements far deeper than has been typically possible using satellites.

Last week’s Waldoborough Historical Society’s “What is it?” photo was not successfully identified. Some guesses suggested the items were belt buckles, but they were in fact coffin plates.  Most coffin plates from the 1800s in the past were buried with the deceased, but sometimes, families took them off and kept them.  A number of them are displayed in the historical society’s museum.

The Rotary Club of Damariscotta-Newcastle is selling raffle tickets for a paddleboard, at $5 per ticket or five tickets for $20. Rotarians, who will be safely masked and physically distanced, will be in front of Sherman’s Maine Coast Bookshop in Damariscotta, on Fridays and Saturdays, July 24 and 25, July 31 and Aug. 1, and Aug. 7 and 8 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The winning ticket will be drawn on Saturday, Aug. 8, 1 p.m.

The Old Bristol Historical Society has obtained a photo of the old Mill at Pemaquid Falls which is approximately 14 years older than the earliest photo of the building previously held in the society’s collection, dating to 1896.

Due to COVID-19, the Newcastle Historical Society Museum, which is housed in the Taniscot building, will not open this summer.

Primaries for legislative seats and a U.S. Senate race, as well as a statewide referendum, will take place Tuesday, July 14. The polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at all mainland locations.

Despite the annual spring alewife festival in Damariscotta Mills being canceled due to COVID-19, the festival committee is still raffling a locally designed and crafted queen-sized alewife festival quilt.