In Ye Olden Times: Bridgton had Maine’s Largest Goat Farm

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Howdy neighbor! The other week, while scouring Portland’s archives for a friend’s genealogy project, I happened to find a funny little — or should I say, big — story, which I knew would interest our readers. For in an old issue of the Portland Sunday Telegram, I found the following article b…

In Ye Olden Times: The Lost Apples of Sweden, Maine

In Ye Olden Times: The Lost Apples of Sweden, Maine

Howdy neighbor! Ah, how good it is to have made it back around to apple season once again! It’s just about my favorite time of the year; the days start to get shorter, the wind blows just a little more crisply, the first of the leaves just start to turn, and then right on schedule -— bam! — …

Earth Notes: Mother Earth -- Becoming Hell on Earth

“Earth Notes” is an outgrowth of a deep ecology discussion group. Writers reflect a delight in, and concern for, the earth and are individually responsible for opinions and information. Community members are invited to submit articles. 

Views from Augusta: Sixth Annual Wild Blueberry Weekend

Recently, I was proud to proclaim August 1-2, 2026, as Maine’s 6th annual Wild Blueberry Weekend. We do this to celebrate our wild blueberries, of course, and in honor of the hard-working people who grow and bring Maine blueberries to markets near and far.

In Ye Olden Times: Mutiny Brook, What’s in a Name?

Howdy neighbor! Among the many interesting things I found out at the Waterford World’s Fair last Saturday was a thorny little research question which I think folks here will get a kick out of. Readers, has anyone ever told you why Mutiny Brook out in South Waterford is so named? Well, that’s…

In Ye Olden Times: When Waterford’s Fair Was in the Streets

In Ye Olden Times: When Waterford’s Fair Was in the Streets

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Howdy neighbor! This 250th Year of American Independence, another venerable local institution celebrates an important milestone. Over in Waterford from July 17-19, a humble institution turns 175 years old, and readers I do hope you’ll be there to see it. I refer, of course, to everybody’s fa…

In Ye Olden Times: Governor Milliken’s Spirit of America

In Ye Olden Times: Governor Milliken’s Spirit of America

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Howdy neighbor! I had thought today to write a little country living piece on a great scenic jaunt I recently took out to the head of Highland Lake along the old Trull Brook Road, but then in the course of my background research into the finer points of a story wanted to mention I inadverten…

In Ye Olden Times: 250 Years of American Independence

In Ye Olden Times: 250 Years of American Independence

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Howdy neighbor! Of all the announcements which I’ve ever made here, all the anniversaries ever memorialized in this column — and I dare say ever in this paper, for all its honorable 156 years — none are so important, none so momentous to all concerned as that glorious day which is now ours t…

Independent Thought: Time to Choose: Either God or Mammon

Merriam-Webster defines mammon as “material wealth or possessions, especially as having a debasing influence.” That’s why Jesus warned, “No one can serve two masters…You cannot serve both God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24). Modern biblical translations usually avoid ancient language and translat…