Well, we won’t have Mary Bowers to kick around anymore. Looks like we won’t have Arthur Faucher to dust up, either.

Town managers and municipal superintendents walk a particularly fine line because they are responsible to the public and they usually serve at the whims of a board. They are the public face of their organization; the front line, rarely getting credit for good decisions and usually fielding an inordinate amount of grief for the bad ones.

Information and News from the Legislature.

I would like to extend my gratitude to Sen. David Trahan (R-Waldoboro) for all his hard work during the past year creating and introducing a bill that would have implemented a free saltwater fishing license in Maine.

To the Editor:

Recently in Gardiner, four kittens were found in a box on a snow bank, frozen to each other and barely alive. Thanks to Good Samaritans and the animal shelter, they received veterinary care. However, many less fortunate animals do not receive help in time.

Dear Lincoln County News Staff and Readers,

A Chicago researcher, I’m currently working on a project that includes Erastus Foote Jr., born in Wiscasset in 1851. After moving to Chicago in 1868, he opened the Dearborn Foundry Co. in 1873. Foote was president of this Chicago business until he retired and returned to Wiscasset in 1914. Upon his death in 1932, he was buried in Wiscasset. The Wood-Foote house remains standing in the town.

To the Editor:

Is it just me – or do others feel appalled and violated when, in reading a library book, they come upon comments and underlines on these sacred pages?

It is very refreshing to see the swarm of support for our “Toys for Edgecomb” effort. It wasn’t that long ago that the Edgecomb Republican committee sat around a table at the Town Hall and brainstormed a way to give back to our town. Sometimes a great idea stays a great idea and never gets implemented. The “Toys for Edgecomb” project has snowballed very quickly.

It’s tough times we are living in. Pick a subject, any subject it seems and we can find a problem to concern us.

However, this coming year there will be time and energy enough to spend on the issues before us and, while they are significant, they are not bigger than we are.

‘Tis the season of Christmas angels and snow angels and the YMCA has their very own – fitness instructor Mary Snow. Mary’s joie de vivre is infectious and spreads to all who are fortunate enough to be her student. She cares about fitness (in a very broad sense) and the fitness of others. To that end she has raised money to purchase stationary cycles so that more people can participate. On Christmas Eve morning as a gift to her students she offered a longer than usual spinning class followed by a relaxing yoga session. She exemplifies what we love about this community. Thank you Mary. Thank you YMCA.

Looking over the last year in LCN pages, the story that kept drawing us back was our tribute to the late R.H. “Bob” Reny, who left us in July.

I have lived in Waldoboro since 2004. I can often hear the whistle of a train as it glides along the journey of life. I like to say my prayers in the morning, Please God, watch over the planes, trains and all those going our way today. A week or so ago I am just hanging around home, when I hear a voice say, “A boy wants a train for Christmas, not a little boy, an older boy.” I am certain of this.

To all the people who helped with the Kids Helping Kids Shopping Day on Dec. 6, 2009:

The Bremen Union Church and I would wish to thank you for donating, helping set up, serving food, and helping out in the wrapping room and at the sale. We thank the donators for the toys and other things that they gave or else this would have never been possible.

This is to salute Liz Matta, the Director of Band at Lincoln Academy, and thank her for her recent spirit of cooperation and understanding. On Sun., Dec. 6, Midcoast Dance had scheduled its Holiday Show for 2 p.m. As it turned out, Ms. Matta had also planned a band concert on that same afternoon at 3 p.m.

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.