Almost half our crew was in Boston last Thursday night preparing for the winter New England Newspaper and Press Assn. convention when Mike McLain lost his life in a tragic car accident in Bristol.

On January 28, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Midcoast Maine held its annual Program Celebration. This is always a magical event that celebrates the special relationships of Bigs and Littles in our program.

I cannot believe that Mainers buy into the theory that cutting more programs aiding its citizens is what the people want.

We greet the New Year with the official news that now former state Sen. David Trahan has officially resigned and we await the Governor’s decision to schedule a special election to replace him.

Mid-Coast Energy Systems Inc. is only the latest victim to fall prey to a stealth “flocking” courtesy the Waldoboro Fire Dept. Our reporting of the fundraising fun this week is intended in the spirit of the occasion.

As I conclude six years on the Skidompha Library Board of Directors, I want to express appreciation to, and admiration for, all the people who made this a wonderful and rewarding experience.

To the Editor:

If your mechanic advised you that you could avoid spending $750 on a future car repair if you spent $100 today, you would probably take that advice.

We are sorry to learn the Jefferson/Nobleboro SnoPackers cancelled their planned snowmobile races, formerly scheduled for Feb. 4-5 on Damariscotta Lake ice, near the state park in Jefferson.

When Dana Dow was nominated to fill the Senate District 20 vacancy left when David Trahan stepped down, Dow stated that one of his top priorities as Senator would be the re-election of Governor Paul LePage.

I am writing this letter in support of our Governor and his policies. By the time that you read this, he will have given his first state of the State address and the roadmap for at least the next year will be a bit clearer.

Now that we are in the heart of the winter season I am reminded daily of what a special place I left behind when I moved to the West Coast.

I’m writing in regards to a Main Street shop that has closed for the winter. On closing last fall, the owner removed their product flag but left the American flag hanging by the door. If I could physically remove it I would, until spring when they return.

The western side of Maine Medical Center in Portland looks out over the expanse of the city. Depending on the season and the room assignment, a patient with a window seat can watch the Sea Dogs in action on Hadlock Field below.

Before tip-off at a recent school basketball game, one of our associates couldn’t help but notice that not everyone stood up during the playing of the National Anthem.