When Ron Pendleton joined the Bristol Fire Dept., Dwight Eisenhower was president, Rocky Marciano was the heavyweight champion of the world, and Elvis Presley was still an unknown wannabe with a funny name.

On behalf of the residents of Hodgdon Green, a senior assisted living facility in Damariscotta, I would like to thank the many people who have already purchased a 2009-10 “Warm Hearts” coupon book.

We of the Waldoboro Lions’ Club and the Waldoboro Food Pantry want to thank everyone who provided both money and food donations to us in the recent month or so in response to our plea in these trying economic times.

Newcastle resident Morrison Bonpasse is well known around Maine for his determined support of convicted murder Dennis Dechaine, but he could also be known as a man who is single handedly trying to save the world’s economic system by encouraging the global adoption of a single monetary unit.

Watch television during any election night news coverage and note that almost as soon as the first visible percentage points of the vote total rolls in, some pundit will opine with authority that the preliminary results are either a humiliating defeat for one side or a sweeping emphatic victory for the other.

I could write a long winded letter about the makeup of the 700 people who voted against Wal-Mart; how the dreaded strip mall from Old Rt. 1 in Damariscotta to Nobleboro came to be; why Hannaford expanded; why Damariscotta Hardware is presently expanding; the addition of Dunkin’ Donuts to the strip along with an office supply store; a dialysis clinic; a new Round Top store; oxygen supply store; Hunts lumber store; DB&T Bank; low income housing, etc…

I suppose living in Nobleboro might not qualify my right to comment; but it seems to me, as a user of US 1, my rights are just as important as the next driver’s.

On principle we oppose papering over problems feigning a metaphorical joining of hands and a forced singing of “Kumbaya,” but if there is ever a time to embrace a “Kumbaya” moment, this is the annual time of year to do it.

On November 20, 2009, Great Salt Bay Community School had its first H1N1 (swine flu) vaccination clinic for children in our school, whose parents had pre-registered. We had approximately 160 students receive the vaccination in two hours. This type of event does not go smoothly without the support of many parents and community members, who gave of their time to our students.

The state’s case against Dennis Dechaine boils down to the fact that items, accessible to anyone, were removed from Dechaine’s truck, and to the desperately held hope at the attorney general’s office that Dechaine is guilty. Wishes, however strongly held, are not evidence.

We have already had our first frost and, recent decent weather notwithstanding, winter is on its way. A few degrees colder this past weekend and we would still be shoveling snow.

Last week I received a letter from the State of Maine Revenue Service. My interpretation of its contents is that our Legislature passed a law regarding monthly 911 surcharges on the sale of track phones when it already had a law on the books regarding the issue.

Thank you to everyone who sent along warm wishes for a speedy recovery. I am home for a few days en route to Maine Medical for chemotherapy. My writing and speech is poor so I am delivering this greeting via the newspaper.

We knew a Vietnam veteran who once said he didn’t mind being shot at so much. It was the mortar fire that scared him. There was no telling when a mortar round was coming in or where it was going to land, he said.