Bob Neal: The Countryman: Vive tous les differences

When we see America as scores — even hundreds — of ethnicities, the picture is a lot more fluid. Irish. Kikuyu. Taiwanese. Salvadoran. Swedish. Ebo. Iraqi. German. Japanese. Portuguese. Ethiopian. And a lot more interesting.

Janet Devereux: Paris selectmen should back masks

For some time now I have debated with myself if the Paris Board of Selectmen has the safety and well-being of its residents as its primary concern. As of the last meeting I believe selectmen do not. Their passage of an anti-mask mandate has convinced me. We have had our town hall and police department […]

Maine Catholics invited to ‘Catholic Teaching & Science’ virtual presentation

STANDISH — Saint Joseph’s College of Maine invites all Maine Catholics to a free online presentation to be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 23. “Catholic Teaching & Science” will feature a conversation with Dr. Stephen Barr about the Catholic Church’s relationship to science, including the theory of evolution. He will discuss how […]

Terence McManus: Unanswered COVID impact questions

We were recently informed that the U.S. death toll from COVID-19 now stands at about 520,000. Given a U.S. population of about 330 million this means that the virus has killed one out of every 634 persons in America. 1) How many of those deceased were seniors whose immune systems were worn out because of […]

Cartoon for Friday, March 5

Michael Tetreault: People should earn their benefits

My partner and I have lived in Lewiston since 2015. I believe it’s time someone speaks up about the Lewiston General Assistance Program. This became obvious a short time after we moved here to Lewiston. I have a reference point because I received General Assistance when I lived Portland. And, when I received General Assistance […]

Roy Mathews: Plan aims to protect environment, expand economy

Maine’s Vacationland moniker has always drawn folks from across the country to the state’s pristine wilderness. From Acadia to The County, Mainers have always been linked to their environment for business and pleasure, so much so that it’s a way of life. That is precisely why we must address the toll climate change is taking […]

Rich Lowry: Alzheimer’s be not proud

Toward the end, when things were bleakest, my Mom would still shine through the shroud of the disease. If she talked, it was always incoherently, but I could see her making points the way she always had. She might chuckle softly at a mention of my brother. Even when I couldn’t get anything else out of her, she’d hum, to patriotic songs, to hymns, to “Ode to Joy.”

Tom and Kathryn Tracy: Pentheny for Poland selectperson

We’re writing to support the candidacy of Jane Pentheny for the Poland Board of Selectpersons. As a retiree, she appreciates the challenges related to living on a fixed income. She is a good listener and is interested in hearing all perspectives. She serves on Ricker Memorial Library’s Board of Trustees, and supports our community’s access […]

River Valley to host annual Easter egg hunt

RUMFORD — In keeping with tradition in the River Valley Area, the annual Easter egg hunt — co-hosted by the River Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Mexico Firemen’s Relief Association — will take place on Saturday, April 3, throughout the towns of Peru, Dixfield, Mexico and Rumford. Children ages 4 to 12 may participate. […]