Happy Birthday to the Tri-Town Weekly, celebrating two years as the community paper for residents of Freeport, Durham and Pownal. Many thanks to all of you who have supported us by reading the paper, sending letters, referring stories to us and, of course, advertising with us. It is the advertising support alone that allows us to deliver the paper to every mailbox in Freeport, Durham and Pownal every week, and fill it with relevant, important, informative and entertaining stories.

Please support our advertisers and all of your local businesses. When you shop and do business with our local merchants and service providers, you are contributing to every aspect of the general community. More of the money that you spend will stay in the local community and in turn it will help to support the growth and future of the community. And, what’s better than doing business with someone you know and, who really appreciates your business?

During the past two years, we’ve come to know the community pretty well, and we have been a part of many discussions that affect the folks who live and work in Freeport, Durham and Pownal. Lately, one of the biggest discussions has been about Regional School Unit 5 and whether it will remain a consolidated school district or whether Freeport will separate from it. Each week, we have been reporting on new developments with this issue, as well as including letters and opinion columns from readers on both sides.

I admire and applaud the passion, dedication and commitment of the people who are working hard to do their best to make a difference. People are involved and passionate because they feel that this issue is important. I agree. The kids – the young people in our towns – are the future. Educating, teaching life lessons, demonstrating commitment and passion are all important parts of building the community through the kids. I believe that as parents and leaders, the most important job we have is to raise honest, caring kids, who will learn to be independent and contributing members of society.

All of us at the Tri-Town Weekly will continue to work hard to provide readers with the local news, information and important milestones in the community. We welcome your comments, letters and suggestions and we urge you to communicate with us regularly. If you haven’t “liked” us on Facebook yet, please do. That way, any time we post an update, you will be notified.

Thank you again for making us a part of your community life.