Opinion

3 years ago

Apprenticed or indentured?

In your research you may find that an ancestor was an indentured servant or an apprentice. They are not the same. To help understand the differences here is a brief outline of what each meant. 

3 years ago

Veterans home closures are devastating

To the editor:
The slated closing of our Maine Veterans Homes in Machias and Caribou is devastating not only to Washington and Aroostook County veterans but also their loved ones who depend on these facilities for critical long-term care.

3 years ago

A plea for Ukraine

To the editor:
I give here two arguments against claims by [Russian President Vladimir] Putin of the reasons he is bombing and burning Ukrainian cities to the ground, killing more than 100 children and several hundred Ukrainian citizens and displacing three million innocent civilians to NATO countries, who three weeks ago had families, lives, homes and jobs.

4 years ago

The advent of firefighting in Presque Isle

The City known today as Presque Isle was founded in 1828 and was known as Fairbanks Mills.  However, despite being a growing village, the community was not proactive about fighting fires, despite most buildings at the time being constructed of wood, until some 50 years later. 

4 years ago

Honoring a Maine hero with a Maine-built ship

On Oct. 3, 1993, during the Battle of Mogadishu, U.S. Army Master Sergeant Gary Gordon — a native of Lincoln, Maine — gave his life to save the crew of a Black Hawk helicopter that had been shot down over the city. 

4 years ago

Banish winter and start the seedlings

Cabin fever season has begun. It is that moment when the beauty of a winter wonderland ceases. Snow shoes on and two steps later one is hip deep in snow. There remain multiple inches of snow everywhere.

4 years ago

One of those days

Some people call it having a bad day. Others say it is just life’s way of showing you that no matter how hard you try, you really do not have as much control over things as you think.

4 years ago

Here’s how to fund Veterans Homes

To the editor:
Do the math.  Those in charge propose to close the Caribou and Machias [Maine] Veterans Homes, in part due to a combined annual shortfall of $2 million. The next year’s forecast is a combined $3 million shortfall.

4 years ago

Ending the sale off flavored tobacco

To the editor:
A recent Maine survey has revealed that most Maine citizens approve of ending the sale of flavored tobacco products in our state.