There’s an old story that relates the tale of a young mother who was preparing to roast a ham.

In public service, much like parenthood, real progress is made by doing the little things; showing up on time; paying attention to the details. In practice it comes down to hard work rather than applied philosophy.

As a mother and physician in this community, I am concerned about toxic chemicals in our environment and their link to chronic disease. I would very much like to thank our state senators for all the hard work they do representing supporting strong public health laws in Maine, such as the Kid Safe Products Act and the phase out of BPA.

So the superintendent of schools doesn’t understand why Bristol voters downed their school budget.

It seems the political tide has turned in Maine; may the nation soon follow. To judge from the evidence of recent referenda and electoral results, our normally sensible Maine center has been shocked back to a more moderating posture – and perhaps even drawn slightly to the left.

We respect and wholeheartedly support the right of Bristol citizens to determine whether to institute a public 4-year-old (pre-K) program at their school. We wouldn’t have it any other way.

We are all wicked bummed out down here in Pennsylvania, Ohio, North Carolina and Florida… we’ve heard the awful sad news about “White Runner” and how there’s no good place to put a rivet because of the rust cancer.

Ultrasound technology has come a long way since I saw those first grainy pictures of my unborn daughter over 20 years ago. Still, I was blown away. Seeing those images on the screen never fail to amaze; that we could have a “window into the womb” is quite remarkable.

I read with much sadness of the impending end of pharmacy operations at Waltz Pharmacy on Main Street in Damariscotta. The loss of the last independent pharmacy in town is indeed a sad day.

We are afraid of turning into one of those “used to be” people.

I’ve never written a letter to the editor, but when I read Kelly P. Brook’s “All Four Feet” article in the March 1 edition of the LCN (“The Brook Dogs and Cats,” Page 8A) I felt I couldn’t let the opportunity pass.

We don’t often get weeks like this past one and thank the good Lord for that.

For those keeping track, since our last edition rolled off the presses we have had two stabbings, one shooting, one alleged attempted bank robbery, and two structure fires; one of them believed to be a case of arson.

It is with regret that I comment on the death of four newspapers in our area.

It sounds like the only people qualified to be politicians better be self-contained and self-sustaining spiritually; or leave their souls at the doorway; or keep their lifestyles to themselves. (Unless they’re progressive liberals.)