This summer my life has been dramatically changed by a serious illness. It has been both alarming and disheartening.

This weekend thousands of men, women and children will flock to the grounds of Colonial Pemaquid for the Olde Bristol Days celebration. There will be face painting and food serving, vendors vending, children playing and music in the air.

Some recent letters on these pages and elsewhere have brought my attention to an important issue that is too often ignored or swept under a rug. It needs to be recognized that in some religious sects, the emphasis is clearly on fear. One is preached at to do whatever he’s told by the “sacred” texts or he will be very, very sorry.

Last week, my mother and I were driving up Rt. 1 on our way to Rockport. Neither of us had managed to eat lunch before hitting the road, so by three o’clock our stomachs were growling.

The family of Amber Golden wish to express our sincere thanks to all those who donated money to the Amber Golden fund at the 1st Bank in Wiscasset. Amber was in a car accident on June 6. She has had five surgeries, spending 10 days in the ICU and an additional week in the Barbara Bush Unit at Maine Medical Center. She is now at home but with many months ahead to full recovery.

One of the most popular pictures this newspaper has ever printed is a shot taken near the Lincoln Home looking out over the river as the moon rises over Damariscotta.

As a long time supporter of Skidompha, I was surprised and disappointed to learn of the Azula Jewelry Sale, supposedly to benefit our library. When I recall all the many interesting and remunerative events sponsored by our own local “Stars” for the library, I am annoyed that none of our Damariscotta jewelers were considered or at least invited to participate.

I would like to respond to a letter titled “The place visitors want to avoid.”

When it comes to taking in a good dose of earth-shaking motorcycles and ear-splitting concerts, we would much rather go into somebody else’s backyard and have our good time there.

Whether intentional or not there has been some mighty unconstitutional statutes passed by our legislature. They, as most government officials at that level, have an oath to God to uphold the Constitution of the State of Maine.

Some corrections to Mr. Jones’ statements in your article “Wiscasset Transportation Committee Wants Corps to Reconsider Bypass Route.” (LCN, 7/15/10, Page 3)

There is a sign as you enter Wiscasset that proclaims it is “the prettiest village in Maine.’ I call upon the people of Wiscasset to paint out that slogan as it is no longer true, particularly for visitors coming from the south.

July – Saturday, midday onto Rt. 1 from Federal Street is always a task to be taken seriously; I see the driver of a car with Massachusetts’ plates: left directional on, is reticent. I take the plunge and pull out in front of him asking myself if I would have cut him off had he Maine plates. Maybe: probably.

This week, counting commentaries, and Rowland Gilbert’s latest poem, we have 22 items marked for inclusion on our editorial page. We print almost everything we receive, not everything of course, and of course, not everything we do print is edited to the author’s satisfaction, but nonetheless, we are committed to supporting free speech and this is the venue to do it.