We require letters to the editor about candidates for public office to focus on the issues, and we call on the candidates themselves to follow the same rule.

In one of President George H.W. Bush’s speeches, he referred to all the volunteer community organizations we have in America and to America’s citizens as “little points of light” when describing how we help our fellow humans without government help.

Grief begins with a loss of breath as the news arrives and tears when memory floods our mind. I met my friend Donna Mates at BBN Technologies’ Massachusetts headquarters after being hired as their West Coast manager. She was an accountant, full of humor, with glimpses of personal pain and struggles. Four years later I moved east. We became friends, enjoying season tickets at the Boston Ballet. In 1989 I took in my first two refugees and she became Auntie Donna.

In the beginning I questioned the validity and accuracy of some of the statements of the Bristol Road Community Association, but initially did not comment because at first it seemed primarily a Damariscotta issue. But now the reach and goals of the citizens group have expanded well into the next town (mine) and I feel the need to answer their call for comments to the Maine Department of Transportation. This is, in fact, my written comment to the DOT, shared with the concerned citizens through the vehicle of The Lincoln County News.

As we congratulate the graduates of Lincoln County high schools this week, we hope many will keep their community in mind as they venture out into the world.

The Maine Department of Transportation has given the town of Wiscasset two choices for extreme changes to how we use our village and the ways we circulate daily through the village.

Arlene Cole’s June 2 “Newcastle History” column about Nelson W. Bailey brought back wonderful memories of Mr. Bailey as well as of the academy in a different era.

I must respond to Albert Boynton’s letter “Should we apologize? Absolutely not!” in the June 2 edition.

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.