A spirit of joy in service permeated this community last Saturday.

Living in rural Maine is a choice many of us made intentionally. We like having our privacy while appreciating our good neighbors.

The World Trade Center in New York was suddenly attacked on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001 and we were shocked and stunned that such an event would happen in our peaceful nation.

On Friday afternoon, Aug. 26, I arrived at the Hannaford’s Supermarket at Damariscotta Plaza to pick up some last-minute items for a late afternoon puffin boat tour planned with my friends and family.

We urge the voters of South Bristol to adopt the proposed Comprehensive Plan at the town Meeting Referendum Vote on Mon., Aug. 8 at the South Bristol School.

The voters of Wiscasset rejected this year’s (RSU 12) budget. Hopefully this will send a message for RSU 12’s next budget.

We will just be completing production on this week’s edition of The Lincoln County News when the friends and family of Dustin Osier convene in the gymnasium at Medomak Middle School to celebrate his life.

What was Hurricane Irene had barely arrived in Maine before complaints started flying back and forth about how over-hyped the danger was.

The Town of Bristol has lost one of its valuable public servants in the passing of Dwayne Boynton. Dwayne served as Selectman for many years as well as in advisory positions.

Right now, our legislative partisans in Augusta are divvying up the state to better reflect the findings of the 2010 Census.

You hear a lot of talk today about the need to compromise. A good example is the debt ceiling and congress. Do we raise the debt ceiling or not or do we meet somewhere in the middle?

After spending one hour and 20 minutes yesterday (8/14) stuck in bumper to bumper traffic between Patti’s Takeout Seafood and Sarah’s Café on Rt. 1 heading south, I had to comment on the recent Letter to the Editor written by Ann Adams of Jefferson. (“Totally unacceptable,” LCN, 8/11/11, Page 4)

The Fair Tax Act of 2009 would eliminate the need for the IRS. Social Security and Medicare are funded from consumption tax revenue. You will not be required to fill out any income tax forms. Wages, savings, and investments are not taxed. Taxpayers pay the same rate. All taxes are rebated on spending up to the poverty level.

With a lengthy list of events, spread out over five days Olde Bristol Days may feel like the big dog among Lincoln County local summer celebrations, but, as the Damariscotta BluesFest proved last weekend, size is no prerequisite for fun.