Talk

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Volunteer Maine, the state commission for community service, received notification from the AmeriCorps federal agency late last week regarding the…

A Bird's Tale
During a pre-dawn start to the day, the American robin was the only bird singing. By the time the sun rose, there was a symphony of bird song. (Photo courtesy of Jeff Wells)

Each day as we walk our little black dog around the neighborhood, we revel in each new song and call as spring adds them to the acoustic environment that surrounds us. Those sounds are now…

Battle of Mobile Bay: Of 18 northern vessels, one was the gunboat 'Kennebec,' launched in 1861 in Thomaston'
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Peter Clifford of Northport was a friend as well as a fount of information about all things maritime. Maine lighthouses, lost propellers, shipwrecks, he and I corresponded and visited often. We…

letter to the editor

At the direction of editor Lynda Clancy, my wife, Haunani, and I wish to state unequivocally that we have never written under the pseudonym, "Jack Bauer".   

This rumor must stop, and we…

Camden voters undecided about the Article 7 dam removal vote in June have a golden opportunity to learn more this weekend, which will also be a chance for passionately decided voters to…

A Bird's Tale
The authors once recorded a northern mockingbird that imitated not only bird songs but also a car alarm and sirens! (Photo courtesy of Allison Wells)

Certain bird species come and go in our neighborhood. This includes mockingbirds—northern mockingbirds to be exact, since there are another 13 species of mockingbird found south of the U.S. We…

letter to the editor

Who is Stacey Contakos?

Stacey is a Rockport resident, a Mom with four children, a veterinarian, a ribbon-winning gymnast, and one smart, organized lady.

Stacey's commitment to…

letter to the editor

On April 19, 2025 I attended an extraordinary 3-D Multimedia Poetry event, Celestial Earth, created by poet Barbaria Maria, of Belfast.…

letter to the editor

What is going on here? Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently ordered a purge of the library at the U.S. Naval Academy. Books critical of racism and the Holocaust were removed, while books…

A Bird's Tale
During a recent visit to their favorite local "pop-up pond," the authors finally find what they had hoped to see there for years: sandhill cranes! Courtesy of Allison Wells

Certain birds are kind of magical. They exhibit qualities that command extra attention. Cranes are in that category. Across the world, each of the fifteen crane species occupies a special…

opinion
Healthy Kids' educators Toby Lecrone (Knox), Sofie Watts (Lincoln) and Executive Director Char Corbett (right) stand with Rep. Lydia Crafts at the State House Hall of Flags on April 2 to kick off Child Abuse Prevention Month with the state’s Prevention Councils. (Photo courtesy Healthy Kids)

KNOX and LINCOLN COUNTIES — April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and Healthy Kids is committed to working with our community to prioritize child and family well-being. We believe that…

letter to the editor

As a board member of MCH, Maine’s Knox County Meals on Wheels provider, I am writing today with deep concern over the federal government’s recent dismantling of critical infrastructure that…

opinion
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My name is Ellen Reynolds, and I would like to formally introduce myself to the community as a candidate for School Board in the Town of Rockport.  I have long been interested in taking a step to…

A Bird's Tale
Some long-tailed ducks migrate from the Maine coast to the Nunavut Territory thousands of miles to the North in order to nest. The official adoption of the Nunavut Land Use Plan will be crucial to ensuring their breeding grounds remain intact and healthy. (Photo by Wolfgang Wander, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.)

Late in the day on Saturday, we took a ride down to look for birds at some favorite spots along the coast in Freeport. Parking by the narrow bridge at Wolfe’s Neck Farm, we scanned the bay,…

letter to the editor

"My country, right or wrong" is a motto often heard from zealous would-be patriots. It is derived from a toast offered by Stephen Decatur, a U.S. Naval officer…

letter to the editor
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The cloudy skies and threat of rain did not prevent or overshadow thousands of Mainers from turning out for the Hands Off! Rally and March that took place in Augusta, Portland, and many other…

opinion
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Approximately one dozen or so Islesboro residents joined millions of U.S. citizens and others around the globe Saturday to express their deep concern about President Trump and his chief advisor…

opinion
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A Knox County Legislator Town Hall held March 28 in Rockland was a powerful and insightful event.

The Knox County Democratic…

letter to the editor

This past week disturbing video footage from two separate incidents was aired which should alarm everyone. Ostensibly each was to deliver messages about the Trump administration’s apprehension and…

A Bird's Tale
While birding following the recent snowstorm, the authors noted large flocks of sparrows along roadsides. Courtesy of Jeff Wells

The early bird may get the worms, but they may also get an unexpected dump of snow that makes the worms hard to find. Although the snow has been relatively light (at least closer to the coast…

opinion
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I was introduced to the Holocaust…

letter to the editor

Dear GREAT Children:

 I regret to inform you that we are WITHDRAWING (a.k.a. SNATCHING BACK) the funds approved and already allocated (PROMISED) for your schools and childcare (public and…

A Bird's Tale
The green in the wing of the male green-winged teal may not always be visible, but the green patch in the rufous head is always striking. Courtesy of Mykola Swarnyk, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Some of you may remember that we have written fondly in the past about what we call a "pop-up pond" that appears after rain in a…

When reading the announcement this morning about the cancellation of the Elm Street School project due to increased construction costs and lack of funding, I thought back to the civic…

opinion
On February 23, a celebratory reception was held at the First Congregational Church of Camden to honor Rev. Ute Molitor, who has retired from pastoral ministry. A search for an interim minister is underway. (Photo courtesy First Congregational Church of Camden)

CAMDEN — When the Rev. Ute Molitor announced her retirement, members and friends of First Congregational Church of Camden, UCC, were all saddened by the pending loss of her deep and wonderful…

letter to the editor

When did free speech become a privilege, not a right? When did questioning power become the most dangerous activity in our Statehouse? Last week, Representative Laurel Libby was censured. Not for…

letter to the editor

I participate in the weekly protests at Chapman Memorial Park in Rockland by Walgreen’s, protesting the current U.S. President and his systematic destruction of our government.

Letter to the editor

I was a volunteer for the last few years at the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce and just heard about the closure as we also live in the winter in Indian Wells, California, as snowbirds…

opinion
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At noon March 22, a sunny Saturday…

letter to the editor

Last Saturday, March 15, I joined nearly 200 others at noon in Rockland’s Chapman Park for a one-hour protest against all things Trump and Musk. 

The vast majority of drivers…

Letter to the editor

As a veteran, I am very angry and dismayed with the draconian reductions in personnel at the Veteran Administration. I cannot understand how these senseless and heartless cuts in VA manpower…

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The Very Light Pistol has been used in maritime rescues and military operations for years. Pretty cool that its inventor was Edward Very, a native of Belfast, Maine!

Born in 1847, his…

On that very day, the route from Camden to Rockland was suddenly alive with the faces and voices of 14 Maine women domestic abuse survivors
Patrisha McLean and Agnes Brackett with the poster they put up in Gardiner. Agnes joined Finding Our Voices twice at the State House in March, speaking in favor of a bill adding coercive control to Maine’s definition of domestic abuse and to urge legislators to prioritize domestic abuse victims. (Photo by Patrisha McLean)

CAMDEN — On the day five years ago that businesses all across Maine went dark due to COVID-19, the award-winning Finding Our Voices campaign breaking…

letter to the editor

We are only seven weeks into the Trump Presidency, and most of what he promised on the the campaign trail is evidently all lies!

Instead of a stronger economy, the markets are…

(Image courtesy Molly Mulhern)

It's a fallacy to think we can keep doing the work of resisting the moves of the current administration without taking the time to process and move through the grief.

We're watching the…

opinion
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The following was submitted by Maria Libby, Five Town CSD Superintendent

Transparency, being upfront and honest about our goings-on, and keeping the public well informed…

A Bird's Tale
Red-wing blackbird is an iconic bird of spring. (Photo courtesy of Jeff Wells)

Most of us who live in the northern part of the globe, even those of us who love winter sports and activities, can’t help but look forward to the return of spring. It’s just part of being…

This letter is written in response to the article "Maine Real Estate Trends" appearing on PenBayPilot.com, March 5.

These statistics show that, in Knox County…

It was American Legion advocacy that convinced the federal government to create the Veterans Bureau in 1921
American Legion Camden logo

For more than a century now, 106 years to be precise, The American Legion has stood as a pillar of strength, service, and unwavering dedication to our nation's veterans. The Legion serves not just…

letter to the editor

Reference: Karen Grove’s comments about the TV report on Montgomery Dam. 

Allison McKellar’s statement that the elvers die at the wall: I believe that is…

Grace Wesbrock, Arden Kondracki, Haley Blake. (Photo courtesy Mid-Coast School of Technology)

ROCKLAND — Three dedicated students from Mid-Coast School of Technology are heading to the SkillsUSA competition with a powerful story of community service and compassion. Their project, focused…

"under the present Reign which are so notorious to us that we should be glad never to hear of them again"
Paul Daiute, late of Hallowell, represents a Maine militia man. (Photo courtesy Lincoln County Historical Association)

Long before the United States declared independence on July 4, 1776, the people of the British Colonies in North America were taking sides – Patriots vs. Royalists. Here in the District of Maine,…

letter to the editor

In the wake of President Trump's repeated delusional assertions that the U.S. will "take over Gaza" after some two million Palestinians are summarily…

letter to the editor

I am angry and frustrated with President Trump’s and the Republican Congressional management of our country. Two of my concerns are the following:

I vehemently opposed the Medicaid Bill in…

Barbara F. Dyer: Down to the Sea
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opinion
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The Elm Street School is one of the most iconic buildings in Camden. It has served our community for generations, having been built before the Civil War. Our families are among the many who have…

wind turbines

Loss of federal funding, diminished investor interest and a President Trump anti-offshore wind Executive Order make Maine’s plans for developing a commercial-scale offshore wind manufacturing…

letter to the editor

Is Maine so liberal that there isn't a scintilla of disapprobation regarding Janet Mills' recent activity as our Governor?  In addition to her very public support for including males in female…