Congratulations to those of us who survived this most recent Storm of the Century; Stormageddon, the Snowpocalypse, the latest, biggest, baddest threat to life as we know it … or something like that.

Like so many others, my wife and I moved from Boston to Maine in 2013 for the improved quality of life. We didn’t want to raise our newborn daughter in a crowded and expensive city, but rather a beautiful, peaceful place surrounded by a community of caring people. We moved to a quiet town in the Midcoast and haven’t looked back.

During his State of the Union Address, President Obama mentioned several times the goal of deficit reduction, and the progress that’s been made toward that goal since the Great Recession.

I am just a bit disturbed by the front page story of the Jan. 21 issue. (“Damariscotta woman injured after being knocked down by spooked deer,” Page 1)

We can’t think of a more difficult job in Maine public service right now than that of overseeing county corrections.

Reading the paper is often difficult, but researching stories worldwide can bring tears of sorrow and a lack of understanding why treatment of the poor and homeless seems so cruel and unkind.

This is from a recent NBCnews.com article: “Pope Francis suggested there are limits to freedom of expression, saying in response to the Charlie Hebdo terror attack that ‘one cannot make fun of faith’ and that anyone who throws insults can expect a ‘punch.’

For those of us from away who have chosen to make our home here, there is a process that happens over a period of years that transforms the community from a new home to a home to just home.

The recent accident in Edgecomb where the vehicle involved was taking a left-hand turn into the pottery business was upsetting to me. As a longtime instructor, now retired, for the AARP Driver Safety program, we always suggest avoiding left turns if at all possible.

The holidays have come and gone and the people of Waldoboro have been amazing once again. As always, I feel very privileged to be part of such a wonderful and generous event. This year’s Waldoboro Toy Program went very well, with a lot of help from a lot of you.

The letter from Susan van Alsenoy (“Rightfully protesting,” Dec. 11) regarding the protests and her suggestion that the “decisions” from grand juries have permitted police officers to kill black men with impunity, surprised me.

Thank you to all the businesses (way too many to list) for your generous donations to the Ginny Ellison-Herald benefit supper and silent auction Dec. 13. It was an incredible turnout of family and friends to help support and honor the memory of Ginny.

The news of the Genesis Community Loan Fund leaving Damariscotta as reported in the LCN on Nov 21, 2014 prompted me to clarify CEI’s move to Brunswick, as reported in the LCN Aug. 28, 2013 – and to offer this bit of history and concept of community investing.

On Friday, Dec. 12, I hired a person for some last minute work to ready my home for the holidays. I had to leave before the job was complete but could see the project was being done with care and attention to detail. I paid with a check and expressed my heartfelt appreciation.