The past holiday season put charity to the test and, locally and nationally, and it’s clear the spirit of giving remains strong, thought somewhat curtailed by the hard times. Although the Christmas season is now past, the need for help and support is still with us. This is a fact of life for charitable organizations […]

Sometimes stories just land in your lap, unsolicited, waiting to be told. So it’s been these last few weeks leading up to the holidays. First was the unusual gift of bacon that a friend sent me, featured in a well-known upscale catalog. This was no ordinary, store-bought bacon primed with chemicals and hormones. This bacon […]

Thumbs up to Massabesic/Old Orchard Beach hockey player Tyler Albert. The senior recently scored five goals to lead the Mustangs to an 11-7 win over Sanford. He now has 13 goals in only four games this season. Thumbs up to all of Santa’s helpers this Christmas who have taken extra efforts to make the season […]

Many of Maine’s cities and towns have been through anger, denial and grief over school consolidation, but in Ogunquit an old grievance still undermines a long partnership with Wells. How else can you explain the town’s legislation seeking to withdraw from the Wells-Ogunquit Community School District? Maine voters recently rejected a proposal to repeal school […]

A health bill has been inching forward in the Senate this week against the unanimous opposition of Republicans. But one Republican said she still hopes to be able to support reform legislation because “the status quo is unacceptable.” The comment was made by Sen. Olympia Snowe shortly after she cast one of the 40 Republican […]

Starting next spring, another round of stimulus funds will arrive in Maine, bringing employment and upgrading the state’s infrastructure. This time the federal aid will improve a different kind of highway. Instead of laying down gavel and asphalt, this $25.4 million will be spent on construction involving utility poles, conduits, ethernet transceivers  and switches, and […]

Thumbs up to the dedication of the former Thacher Brook Business Park in memory of the late Robert Dodge, who was a longtime economic development director for the City of Biddeford. Dodge’s contributions to building up a diversity of housing and business in the city were outshined only by his positive attitude and kind demeanor. […]

When passenger rail service between Portland and Boston was reopened in 2001, it provided a transportation option that was immediately popular, demonstrated by ridership that rose steadily, at least until the economy stalled. The Amtrak Downeaster plies a 116-mile route from Boston’s North Station to Portland, and for years rail advocates have pressed for a […]

I was paying bills one afternoon, writing checks. Then it dawned on me why the date I kept writing over and over looked oddly familiar. I picked up the phone to call Molly and wish her a happy birthday. “How did you remember?” she asked. “Some things you just don’t forget,” I said. We spent […]

Congress is considering a package of financial industry reforms that will be debated at length in the months ahead. It seems fair to say that there is sharp disagreement over many provisions. Yet no one can claim that the financial system has functioned well in the last two years. Reform is essential to lessen the […]