On behalf of the residents of Hodgdon Green, a senior assisted living facility in Damariscotta, I would like to thank the many people who have already purchased a 2009-10 “Warm Hearts” coupon book.

We of the Waldoboro Lions’ Club and the Waldoboro Food Pantry want to thank everyone who provided both money and food donations to us in the recent month or so in response to our plea in these trying economic times.

Newcastle resident Morrison Bonpasse is well known around Maine for his determined support of convicted murder Dennis Dechaine, but he could also be known as a man who is single handedly trying to save the world’s economic system by encouraging the global adoption of a single monetary unit.

In a story reported by John Maguire on the front page of the LCN (Dec. 3) reports that the Sheepscott Spa and Resort owned by Edgecomb Development LLC (Roger Bintliff) has been assigned to Priority Group LLC to” recuperate money for the Wiscasset Savings Bank.”

This past summer, I had a wonderful Mother Nature experience to share. While working outside one morning, I noticed a Hairy Woodpecker stuck on our kitchen screen door.

Back before 9/11 united Americans in a common purpose, back before the Challenger disaster, before the Kennedy assassination – there was Pearl Harbor.

Today it seems Pearl Harbor has largely been swept away in the rush to the mall but there was a time when remembering the most successful foreign assault on U.S. soil since 1812 was a big, big deal.

It is very refreshing to see the swarm of support for our “Toys for Edgecomb” effort. It wasn’t that long ago that the Edgecomb Republican committee sat around a table at the Town Hall and brainstormed a way to give back to our town. Sometimes a great idea stays a great idea and never gets implemented. The “Toys for Edgecomb” project has snowballed very quickly.

It’s tough times we are living in. Pick a subject, any subject it seems and we can find a problem to concern us.

However, this coming year there will be time and energy enough to spend on the issues before us and, while they are significant, they are not bigger than we are.

‘Tis the season of Christmas angels and snow angels and the YMCA has their very own – fitness instructor Mary Snow. Mary’s joie de vivre is infectious and spreads to all who are fortunate enough to be her student. She cares about fitness (in a very broad sense) and the fitness of others. To that end she has raised money to purchase stationary cycles so that more people can participate. On Christmas Eve morning as a gift to her students she offered a longer than usual spinning class followed by a relaxing yoga session. She exemplifies what we love about this community. Thank you Mary. Thank you YMCA.

Looking over the last year in LCN pages, the story that kept drawing us back was our tribute to the late R.H. “Bob” Reny, who left us in July.

I have lived in Waldoboro since 2004. I can often hear the whistle of a train as it glides along the journey of life. I like to say my prayers in the morning, Please God, watch over the planes, trains and all those going our way today. A week or so ago I am just hanging around home, when I hear a voice say, “A boy wants a train for Christmas, not a little boy, an older boy.” I am certain of this.

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.