Learning to swim can be an intimidating process ”“ not just for a child, but also for his or her parents. Our own fear of drowning is bad enough, but when we have a child to protect, it’s almost instinctual to keep that child as far away from water as possible to prevent the tragedy […]

Imagine for a minute that our country was filled with people who went their entire lives without knowing how their own government operated. During each election cycle, voters made up their minds based upon 30-second sound bites on TV that promised grandiose ideas and mudslinging their opponents. High school students learn about history, but not […]

It seems some casino developers in Maine are getting cold feet. Black Bear Entertainment LLC campaigned for a $165 million casino in Oxford complete with a hotel, restaurants, conference space and spa. But questions are now being raised about those plans because of referendums on November’s ballot asking Maine voters if they want to allow […]

How many people out there are like Martin Mead of Kennebunkport? Far too many, it seems. Mead was working as an emergency medical technician three years ago when he found himself with a cancer diagnosis and no health insurance. Though he looked into getting insurance, no company would take him without a year-long waiting period […]

Officials say ridership on the Old Orchard Beach Trolley bus is on the rise. The increase is 11 percent compared with last year, according to Al Schutz, executive director of ShuttleBus-Zoom. This is good news for Old Orchard Beach and good news for the state. Public transportation cuts back on emissions, road wear, traffic and […]

It’s been my observation that haying takes place in installments, the first being some time in June followed by another round in late July or early August. The tall grass lies in winnows in the fields, its greenness fading a bit more with each passing day, the air around it redolent with its sweet aroma. […]

Real Madrid, a European professional soccer team equivalent to the New York Yankees, recently signed a new player to its team. The soccer club, worth nearly $1 billion, on Monday signed Argentinian soccer phenom Leonel “Leo” Angel Coira to the team and he will begin training on Sept. 6. This Argentinian and new pro is […]

Discouraged by recent extortion tactics of Congressional right-wingers in Washington, a normally upbeat, rational, forward-thinking friend asked me what I assumed was a rhetorical question: How could anyone vote to send a Republican to Congress? I told her I’d consider doing it. In fact, I’d enthusiastically cast a ballot for one who’ll state the following: […]

Here in the State of Maine, we have a noticeable population of drivers who are under the age of 25. I like to think of these people as “novice” drivers. They are the least experienced people we have on the road today. A few weeks ago, I road along with Officer Steve Garrison from the […]

Thumbs up to the Saco Shaw’s Supermarket and store manager John DeRoche for hosting a food drive and free barbecue for people in the area to help fill the shelves of the Saco Food Pantry. Pantry Director Bob Nichols said recently the pantry was out of two important staples: Peanut butter and jelly, which is […]