On principle we oppose papering over problems feigning a metaphorical joining of hands and a forced singing of “Kumbaya,” but if there is ever a time to embrace a “Kumbaya” moment, this is the annual time of year to do it.

On November 20, 2009, Great Salt Bay Community School had its first H1N1 (swine flu) vaccination clinic for children in our school, whose parents had pre-registered. We had approximately 160 students receive the vaccination in two hours. This type of event does not go smoothly without the support of many parents and community members, who gave of their time to our students.

The state’s case against Dennis Dechaine boils down to the fact that items, accessible to anyone, were removed from Dechaine’s truck, and to the desperately held hope at the attorney general’s office that Dechaine is guilty. Wishes, however strongly held, are not evidence.

We have already had our first frost and, recent decent weather notwithstanding, winter is on its way. A few degrees colder this past weekend and we would still be shoveling snow.

Last week I received a letter from the State of Maine Revenue Service. My interpretation of its contents is that our Legislature passed a law regarding monthly 911 surcharges on the sale of track phones when it already had a law on the books regarding the issue.

Thank you to everyone who sent along warm wishes for a speedy recovery. I am home for a few days en route to Maine Medical for chemotherapy. My writing and speech is poor so I am delivering this greeting via the newspaper.

We knew a Vietnam veteran who once said he didn’t mind being shot at so much. It was the mortar fire that scared him. There was no telling when a mortar round was coming in or where it was going to land, he said.

I read in the paper last week that over in Waldoboro the Rev. Mr. Murphy is retiring. I met him when I was distributing low-energy light bulbs to the food bank he has headed all these years.

America is the Greatest Nation Ever to exist on the face of the earth. However; America has become untethered and drifted far from the sure moral moorings of our Founding Fathers, so when in the course of human events history calls we all must be prepared to respond with the principles of life and liberty.

Dear Editor and citizens of Lincoln County:

I have kept my lips sealed long enough. I am a concerned mother of a teen-aged boy that has gone astray by hanging out downtown after school and engaging with others in smoking, etc… He has been told by his parents and officials to “shape up.” He is now going to attend outpatient rehab for his behaviors.

There has been so much talk about the swine flu in the media lately. To add to the stress I recently learned that Governor Baldacci has the authority to order that all Mainers be vaccinated.

A rainy day and I have to go to the transfer station because my bag was full of lobster shells and I couldn’t wait until Friday. I do want to say now the people that use the Bristol transfer station are very aware of things going to trash. When you drive in, you never know what awaits you.

The Commission on Governmental Ethics and Elections Practices on Oct. 1 ordered an investigation of Stand For Marriage Maine Political Action Committee and its primary funder, the National Organization For Marriage (NOM).

It may be legally correct for the Great Salt Bay Sanitary District Board of Trustees to dispose of district property as they see fit.