This past weekend I attended the annual performance of Hearts Ever Young at the Lincoln Theater. The show this year was entitled “A Toast to Broadway,” and that it was.

Maine people have made it clear that real welfare reform is a top priority. Over the last few years, lawmakers have been listening, and changes have finally been made that benefit Maine taxpayers, as well as those who are truly in need of basic services. During the last two years, I have been pleased to be a part of that effort in the Maine Senate.

Lots of people were enjoying our village this past weekend. Also, there were cars pulling out, tires squealing, folks darting across the street, stop and go every two to three vehicles. Wait time to get out of side streets was up to four minutes.

This letter will hopefully be read by concerned citizens who may or may not have heard or know of the plans the Maine Department of Transportation has for the historic section of downtown Wiscasset.

While Jon Olsen is speaking up for the rest of humanity, I’d like to speak up for the many American service members who didn’t lose their lives because the U.S. did not have to invade the Japanese homeland. Kudos to President Truman and the flight crews of the Enola Gay and Bock’s Car for making the correct decision and carrying it out.

We welcome all of our local legislators to utilize our editorial page to communicate with their constituents in Lincoln County.

Applause and encores to the Newcastle Local Planning Committee and friends, who organized the This Is Newcastle events.

Another successful, well-attended presentation of the proposed downtown traffic backup reduction and beautification (!) project for Wiscasset village. Having worked and lived in the village for 25-plus years, option 2 (to eliminate Main Street parking, increase side-street parking facilities, and organize pedestrians and traffic) is a dream come true for us.

We all have a part to play to help avoid senseless tragedies among our youth.

The DOT option 2 plan, “Wiscasset Downtown Improvements,” is just that, a downtown beautification project, not a traffic solution. The downtown will be transformed, there is no doubt about that, but the real problem, traffic congestion, will not be addressed. It will be made worse for a longer period of time.

As a member of the Damariscotta Budget Committee, I have had the pleasure of observing Roberta “Robin” Mayer function in her position as chair of the Damariscotta selectmen. She has consistently demonstrated an in-depth knowledge of the issues, courtesy and respect toward those with whom she might disagree, and an unflagging stewardship for the town taxpayers’ money.

The dictionary defines “hero” as “any person, especially a man, admired for courage, nobility, or exploits, especially in war.”

It was 1952. Our church youth group was looking for a play to produce to raise funds for a summer camp. We chose “Our Town” by Thornton Wilder, primarily because it did not have to have a lot of scenery. I was captivated by the play then and have seen it several times since.