On Dec. 26, I was caught in the 4-8 inches of snow that “surprised” Lincoln County. I left my work in Freeport at 10 p.m. to make the usual trip up I-295 and Route 1. Nothing about the trip that night was usual. The Interstate was clogged with snow and Route 1 was barely recognizable.

Looking ahead, we are mindful 2014 is an election year. Being that the issues and feelings that set the table for the last election have not abated a whit, we fully expect a rancorous year ahead as the divisions between us are highlighted and underscored all year long, as if Americans’ fundamental right to disagree is the issue, more so than the things we actually disagree about.

Every Christmas season our culture is consumed with buying gifts. What is Christmas really all about? Is it just limited to receiving gifts or is there more?

It may have been uttered as a casual observation, but budget committee chairman Bob Blagden sounds a sour note in Charlotte Boynton’s story about outgoing Wiscasset Town Manager Laurie Smith. “It’s too bad we can’t find a town manager that wants to be part of the community and move here,” he said. “I believe we have had seven town managers in the past 10 years.”

I just wanted to say thank you to all the dedicated Salvation Army volunteers who do bell ringing at Christmas time. The weather has been pretty cold lately and I really appreciate the kindness and caring of these volunteers. Over the years the Salvation Army has touched the lives of many Mainers in need.

Opposers of Maine bear hunting reform think snare trapping, dog chasing and baiting bears is okay. The reason why they think it’s okay? “Because the Maine Inland Fish & Game biologists say so.”

A recent letter to the editor by Maxine Snow included a number of so-called facts regarding the efforts by animal rights organizations to eliminate baiting, hounding and trapping from Maine’s bear hunting regulations. (Bear hunting factual info,” LCN, 10/31/2013, Page 4) Many of these “facts” need further explanation and others cry out for correction.

Last week, Don Loprieno wrote another in a long list of columns promoting the recently announced efforts to ban bear baiting, hounding and trapping. He continued to repeat the emotionally charged talking points likely extracted from polling conducted by the Humane Society of the United States. In the column he chastised the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, SAM.

Lincoln County, as we all know, is a wonderful place to live. While it is unfortunately true that professional opportunities are scarce for people in the prime of their careers, it is the perfect setting for growing up and for growing old.

Apparently a number of elver fishermen in Maine are making thousands of dollars, reporting far less money earned and applying for and receiving welfare. Since being elected, Governor Paul LePage has attempted to do something about welfare fraud in the state of Maine.

Sheena Bellows, Democrat candidate for U.S. Senate describes herself as a “libertarian progressive.”

It seems no matter where you are in the political spectrum you might be forgiven for thinking the country is going to hell in a hand basket.

The Waldoboro Board of Selectmen has called a third referendum style special town meeting for Tuesday, Nov. 5, to hopefully finalize the FY2014 Waldoboro municipal budget.

This Thanksgiving our family is especially grateful. We want to thank the Alna Fire Department and Wiscasset Ambulance Service, particularly first responders Mike Trask, Marcie Lovejoy, and Herman Lovejoy. These volunteers made a great impact in our lives on Aug. 24 by responding to a life threatening situation with calm professionalism.