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.

Would-be state senator Chris Johnson displayed his lack of qualification for the office in his letter that appeared in last week’s LCN. (“Salt Water Fishing Licenses – the rest of the story,” LCN, Page 4, 7/8/10) He attacked Senator David Trahan’s heroic effort to head off saltwater fishing license fees as necessary to cover enforcement costs of a new federal mandate.

In an article posted on Anderson Cooper’s AC360 blog, CNN correspondent Jonathan Powers commented that he was spending his second Fourth of July with the troops in Iraq, who marked the occasion with “a few non-alcoholic beers and some locally grown watermelon.”

Each of us certainly has plenty to be angry about, and I know only too well how refreshing it can be to just reach out and blast somebody, but why keep fueling that particular inferno that produces no good yet costs so much? A better idea would be to try to achieve the necessarily modest perspective on our own importance and show the level of respect for other people that lets us get along.

We have seen several letters regarding the Constitution of the United States on these pages in the last few weeks. I would like to address what I feel are some important inaccuracies in the July 1 edition that were repeated in the Editorial and in Timm Gormley’s letter.

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.