Those of us who love birds and nature, and who recognize that the oxygen we breathe, the food we eat, and the clean water we need, are only possible because of nature, are always more than a little perplexed by the fact that government budgets never provide more than a minuscule token toward nature conservation and protection.

We’ll leave that conundrum for social scientists and politicians to explain.

Meanwhile, it’s already a given that, literally, only a tiny fraction of a penny of your tax dollars goes to programs that help the birds you love and that help keep the world healthy. On

 In his later years, the poet Walt Whitman wrote an essay entitled "Democratic Vistas", in which he posed a crucial question: Is there a great moral and religious civilization — the only justification for a great material one?

This query is timely in the era of Trump.

Whitman wrote in a time of economic excesses and concentrationof power in the hands of "Robber Barons."

Mark Twain labeled it the"Gilded Age" — shiny surfaces to cover deep injustices, public greed,and phony piety. 

This pattern is echoed in the Trump Administration with power vested in the ultra-rich — especially the tech

In our current Trumpian moment, anyone who criticizes the Dear Leader or his subservient toadies is targeted for bullying. Defiant ones are discredited as evil communists or socialist left-wing radical extremists. This is now the norm for undermining any attempt at civic discourse. Speaking for myself and other wild-eyed extremists that I know, we would love to be proud of a government that:

• Provides generous humanitarian assistance. America First should mean that U.S.AID leadership is always first in offering worldwide, compassionate aid where needed.
• Builds collaborative relationships with

The PenBay Pilot reporting on the June 14 parade in Washington, D.C., is among the most dishonest and biased depiction of the reasons for the event that I've seen anywhere.

On June 10 you wrote, The rally and demonstration will join with the nationwide No Kings events to be held in communities across America as a counterpoint to the planned military parade scheduled that day to honor President Donald Trump’s birthday."

On June 14 your reporter Sarah Thompson wrote, "Rockland's rally was scheduled weeks ago and is one of thousands held throughout the country as President Donald Trump held a

To the Voters of Camden:

Last week’s vote to approve the removal of Montgomery Dam by a decisive vote of 1391 to 995 was the result of a five-year long public discussion between the advocates for saving the dam and those who wanted to see it removed. 

The process leading to the vote was open and transparent. Scores upon scores of meetings were attended by members of the public both for and against dam removal.  We commend the diligent process the Town of Camden followed during arduous and often contentious discussions among the members of the public. 

The Town impaneled a citizens committee

The excitement was palpable at South School on Wednesday, June 4 as students gathered for the second annual Future Fair, an inspiring career exploration event that brought together students, staff, and local leaders for a day of real-world, interactive learning.

This year’s event was more than just a success—it was a powerful example of what’s possible when schools and communities come together. What started as one great idea, led by two South School staff members and a committee of seven, grew into a district-wide experience—connecting 475 students from four RSU #13 elementary schools with 19

I  tried contacting  the Knox  Democratic Party. You would think it would be easy but not for me. I sent multiple emails to their  headquarters in Rockland, telephoned the chair of the committee, as well as a representative, and asked if they could send  an email acknowledging my efforts, but have received no replies.

The website suggested sending letters to the editor so here I go. 

I want to propose a bill that entities fraudulently billing the state would be prohibited from entering into any future state contracts. Also it would mandate  any officer of the entity who oversaw the fraud to

It’s a simple call that’s hard to ignore—a single, loud “wheeep,” or sometimes a burry “reeep.” The sound itself seems confident, brash, maybe a little raucous.

Which is why, when you search for the bird making the sound and have trouble actually seeing it, you may feel pretty frustrated. One reason that the bird making that boisterous sound—the great crested flycatcher—is hard to spot is because it is a species that prefers to stay generally within the interior of the deciduous trees and shrubs it inhabits.

But, the great crested is a flycatcher after all, so eventually one will sit out

 I can't be the only one who sometimes has to do a little last minute cramming before a vote. As Camden residents prepare to vote on the removal of the Montgomery Dam, it's clear that many people made up their minds a long time ago, but I know some of you are just trying to figure out the basics. There's a lot of back and forth everywhere  and most of it gets into the weeds, so I will try to answer the most prominent questions I'm receiving here quickly.

1. This proposal is essentially asking if Camden residents agree to remove the dam and restore the free flowing river as long the whole thing

Just a few weeks after launching its brand-new Pediatrics Program, the Knox Clinic is already receiving glowing feedback from patients and families.

Parents have been especially touched by the warm, welcoming environment. One mom shared, “It’s calm, welcoming, and feels like a home,” while another remarked, “Wow, this is the best doctor’s office we’ve ever been to. It’s bright and inviting.”

The early success of the program is a testament to the vision and dedication of Rachel Wilcox, PNP, and Jess Bowen, RN, who have been instrumental in shaping both the physical space and the culture of care

I am interested to have information on the actual Montgomery Dam removal work.

How would it affect Main Street businesses, especially those on pilings?

What would be the impact level of dirt, dust, debris, trucks on the area?

How long is the actual work projected to take?

We should know more about the whole process to evaluate removal.

Karen Hull lives in Camden

When it comes to the June 10 vote on whether or not to save the Montgomery Dam and Falls, there are still a lot of unknowns.  For example:

What happens if … the dam is removed and alewives don’t swim up the new passageway into the Megunticook River?  After all, getting alewives (and/or other sea-run fish) into the Megunticook Watershed is a key requirement for obtaining federal grants to remove or re-engineer six other dams on the river.

What happens if … we don’t get those federal grants or other funding for river restoration, which could cost as much as $35 million?  Who’s going to pay for

As business owners, we have 211 years of collective experience and service to the Camden community. It's been an honor to watch generations of families grow up and visit our unique town. Just like our businesses, the waterfall and millpond at the heart of Camden were built by local hands from local materials. It was designed to integrate seamlessly into Camden Harbor and Park. They are a community resource for people of all ages and incomes to enjoy. This is why we support its preservation.

Camden’s vitality and the preservation of our cherished heritage are at a crossroads. The Montgomery Dam

Hello Fellow Taxpayers,

With the up coming votes on the Hope 2025-2026 budget, I wanted to share with you some information you may find handing in making your decision at the polls/floor of Town Meeting. 

The Town has completed its revaluation resulting in the valuation of the Town’s valuation almost doubling in value. (Previous $216,716,000 to $411.400,580). This lowers the mill to 10.17 for the 2024-2025 Town Fiscal year. 

Please keep in mind that while the valuation has increased and the mil rate coming down, it is not known what impact the revaluation will have on individual property owner

Communities like Rockland welcome all sorts of people; year-round and seasonal, new and native, retirees, young families and folks working hard to make a life here. This variety in our population is what makes Rockland a wonderful place to live. 

One thing everyone shares, however, is the need for a safe, secure place to call home. This is especially true for our hard-working neighbors who we all depend on to keep the Midcoast running smoothly: nurses, cops, firefighters, teachers, tradespeople and small business owners. Given the rapid increase in property values we have experienced since

She’s a genre blender. Innovator. Three-time Grammy winner. Gotta be Alison Brown. If you missed Alison and the Band last June, I advise you not to make that mistake again: They are returning to the Opera House Friday the 13th - yes, this month, for a 7 p.m. show. Got tickets? No? You best get on that.

Discovering Alison Brown and her music last year (yeah, yeah ... hey, better late to the party than never arriving, right?), I felt like I was hearing the banjo for the first time. It's a combination of Alison's writing and playing, obviously, but it's also the musicians in the band she's making

Choices: 

Those supporting removal of Camden's much-loved Olmsted-designed dam and waterfall maintain that alewives routinely made it up the Megunticook River to spawn in the centuries before Anglo settlers came to the region.

The long explanation accompanying Warrant Article 7 on the ballot tells us of the many Megunticook River Citizens Advisory Committee (MRCAC) meetings held over two years, the newsletters, the online survey responses, and all the interactions with standing Camden committees—including the Camden Library Board of Trustees.

A wealth of detail unfolds: "10 expert-led online