Editorials

12 years ago

Cup O’ Joe: Developing our community one step at a time

Economic development. It’s a term that those elected to municipal offices like to use, particularly during an election, to help drum up support for their candidacy. But what does it really mean?
For the past three years, since I have been covering town politics for Houlton, every candidate running for the town council has expressed the importance of bringing new businesses into the town. New businesses are the key to long-term sustainability, but where will those businesses come from?

12 years ago

Aroostook skies: Soaring towards the skylark

We live in interesting times! Rocks exploding in the Russian sky … A comet cascading along the local, happy horizon. The East Coast recently dazzled by a mighty meteor … occasional “sun dogs” girding the sides of the Sun … blessed halos circling the lesser light of the Moon. Surely, “the times, they are a changin’.” But I pose to you folks the American challenge: in what manner are you changed?

12 years ago

Saving Caribou’s oldest church building

What do you do with a church when membership is too small to keep the building maintained? It’s not a new problem, as declining church memberships and rising energy and other costs challenge congregations in Maine and the nation.

12 years ago

Life Lesson 58: Death is not the end

As I grow older, I am continuing to benefit from the life lessons along the way, and my list is growing! Here is my Life Lesson number 58.
    In the course of the past two weeks, I have attended three funerals and I refuse to continue fearing death.

12 years ago

Into the spotlight: Combating Alzheimer’s disease

I recently had the joy of meeting Glen Campbell, an iconic figure in country and popular music known for such hits as “Rhinestone Cowboy,” “Gentle on My Mind” and “By the Time I Get to Phoenix.” While Glen did bring his guitar with him to Capitol Hill, his primary purpose was not to perform. He instead came with his family to advocate on behalf of the growing number of Americans and families who are suffering from Alzheimer’s

12 years ago

Cup O’ Joe: We all scream for ice cream

A sure sign that the long cold winter is finally over is the annual opening of the Houlton Farms Dairy Bar on Military Street, followed by the Mill Pond Dairy Bar in Hodgdon usually a day later.
Trips to the dairy bar are fond memories for many in this part of The County. Many can recall wonderful trips to Drakes Dairy Bar, located on top of Drakes Hill, for an evening of ice cream and round of miniature golf. The more avid golfers could drop a dollar for a bucket of golf balls and whack away on the driving range.

12 years ago

Lesson no. 47: Recall an event from the archives of your life

The convertible was a soft, creamy lemon in color with a jet black top, neatly rolled back under a dry Maine sky. The owner stood before us, two satiny kerchiefs in her hands and a golden one tied delicately under her chin. “Climb in, ladies! It is the perfect afternoon for your first ride in my new buggy.”

12 years ago

Life Lesson no. 48: Do not judge

Sometime during the sixteenth century, a gentleman by the name of John Donne said, “No man is an island.” I interpret the meaning to be simply that no one desires to be isolated, solitary, or alone; at least not forever. The majority of us crave companionship; someone to talk to, eat with, walk with, cry with, laugh with, and die with.

12 years ago

Life lesson no. 23: Share your adventures with enthusiasm

Before Dale and I got married, I promised him he would never, ever find our life together boring. Because we both love the White Mountains of New Hampshire, we decided it would be the perfect location for our honeymoon.

12 years ago

See you at the Trade Show

This coming weekend, the John Millar Arena is the place to be as the 2013 Southern Aroostook Trade Show opens its doors for two full days of exhibits. For those who have never been, the trade show is an excellent opportunity to see all the latest recreational vehicles, ATVs, lawn mowing equipment and much more up close and personal.