“I have a brown thumb” is a claim I hear on a regular basis, but one which I always dispute. There are no brown thumbs, only bad soil or plants living (and dying) where they should not be. Of course, any plant can die of thirst when first planted, and poor soils can keep them […]

Just in time (or not — keep reading), and on the heels of my previous columns about fatherhood and the military, comes Armin Brott’s book “The Military Father: A Hands-on Guide for Deployed Dads.” Brott is a former Marine (more on this in a minute) with a syndicated newspaper column, “Ask Mr. Dad,” and radio […]

Grass isn’t always the best groundcovers for a yard: It’s thirsty at a time when water is becoming scarce; it attracts fewer pollinators; it requires expensive chemicals to maintain, and it must be disposed of if you bag as you mow. That’s why many property owners are downsizing their lawns or simply eliminating turf grass […]

Parents, welcome to the summer months. This is the time of year you learn how important your child’s school is to your family. You may be the type of parent who understands and appreciates the job teachers do for you and your children, but now is the time to become a true partner in your […]

TOPSHAM The search is under way for a new leader to take charge of Mt. Ararat High School after the departure of Craig King, who will take on a new role as superintendent for Regional School Unit 10. King served as Mt. Ararat’s principal for the last nine years and will finish his term at […]

BRUNSWICK If the current agreement holds, the town and Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority will benefit almost equally from new business within two tax increment financing districts at Brunswick Landing and Executive Airport. For several months, delegates from the two entities have worked on a plan to share revenue, provide incentive to potential tenants, fund infrastructure […]

WISCASSET No sequester issue at this air show. Wings over Wiscasset, a full day of entertainment scheduled for Aug. 6 at KIWI Municipal Airport, will be bigger and better than ever this year. While the sequester has forced cancellation of The Great State of Maine Air Show in Brunswick, a group of pilots not subject […]

Swango Farm in Woolwich and Bessie’s Farm Goods in Freeport are participating in the statewide Open Farm Day, on Sunday. Open Farm Day is an annual adventure for families, as farmers open their gates and give people the opportunity to learn about agriculture. Farms will put on demonstrations and displays, and have farm-raised products for […]

HARPSWELL After a nine-year run, there will be no Harpswell Festival this year. The Harpswell Festival Committee announced online recently that the festival will no longer take place, and that the festival committee “is sorry to disappoint all the wonderful folks who supported the event through the years — visitors, donors and volunteers.” The festival, […]