Opinion - The County

Opinion

My Sophie’s gone

To the editor: I recently buried my cat Sophie. She was my best friend of the animal persuasion and I loved her dearly. My life will never the be same — there’ll always be those missing ways she had that endeared her to me.

The gift of Apollo, 53 years later

I am aging and eroding anxiously and rapidly, but the lunar timelessness of Tranquility Base remains inviolate. On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin trod across that timelessness and brought back to planet Earth the “Year Zero”, the reality of greatness within everyday American life and every American heart.

Mining company not to be trusted

To the editor: Since time immemorial the Penobscot and Maliseet have shared an inherent connection to the environment. We have a responsibility, passed down from our ancestors, to care for the land, water, air, and all life that depends upon a healthy ecosystem to thrive.

Strengthening opioid treatment resources for Maine seniors

The opioid epidemic continues to claim the lives of far too many people, with record numbers of both Mainers and Americans lost in 2021. While many perceive the face of opioid addiction as young, the epidemic harms older adults as well. In Maine, more than 10 percent of drug overdose deaths last year were among residents 60 and older.

Dexter’s Outdoor Adventures

One of my favorite activities on the planet is hiking mountains. A month after I brought Dexter home, Wyatt and I took him on his first official hike up Mt. Chase in late October. Dexter towed me up the mountain as he navigated the roots, rocks, and incline with the athleticism of a parkour athlete.

Our beautiful Victorian homes

Presque Isle is a beautiful city. In addition to breathtaking nature vistas, our street scenes are pleasant to look at as well. Much of this has to do with the architecture of the homes.

Castle Garden

Did your ancestors emigrate to the U.S. in the 19th century through New York City? The first name that comes to most genealogists’ minds is Ellis Island. But prior to 1893, Ellis Island as a port of entry didn’t exist. If your ancestor came into New York between 1820 and 1892, they would have entered through a port of entry known then as Castle Garden.

It’s ‘ARRR-gust,’ International Pirate Month

Have you ever seen the website BrownieLocks with its listing of weird, unusual and bizarre holidays? Well, according to that site, this is “ARRRR-gust,” or International Pirate Month, which always brings to mind one of my favorite historical stories from Presque Isle. That is the story of Sidney Cook.

Wishes classmates well

To the editor: I wish I could have made the Class of 1967 Presque Isle High School reunion. Please give my best regards and wishes to all of my classmates. The year '67 was a blast and I so enjoyed working at WEGP.

An enjoyable experience

To the editor: A few days ago my wife and I accompanied our granddaughter to Hub Coffee. What an appealing time we enjoyed.

Help kids be financially aware

August is back-to-school season, when Maine families adjust to new schedules, new spending on school supplies and new household budgets. National Financial Awareness Day is Aug. 14, which reminds families to be more aware of money coming in and going out.

Caribou’s broadband options

To the editor: The Caribou City Council is considering three options for future broadband service at their next meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 22.

Remember the first Potato Queen

To the editor: The July 20 Star-Herald was delivered to me today. A front page article about the annual Maine Potato Blossom Festival got my attention.

Census pitfalls

All genealogists avidly use the census for information about their ancestors. Starting in 1790 the U.S. censuses were taken every 10 years. By 1850 all those in a household were listed and in 1880 the relationships were spelled out. What’s not to like about any of that?

Individual rights revisited

Some may recall that civics, the rights, and duties of US citizenship, was a required course, usually at the eighth-grade Level. And one could not become a U.S. citizen without demonstrating a basic understanding of U.S. civics.

Murder on my streets

Rat-tat-tat, rat-atat-tat goes the automatic rifle. And the world descends into madness. What if I were lying on the street of my beloved hometown with my blood pooling about me? And my last shuddered, shocked and unbearably painful thoughts were set gazing at the blue-cloud-puffed sky ordained by Thee?

Training Days

Dexter and I had our first training session with Tyler Jones at Purpose Pups the Monday following our first weekend together. We had barely survived the weekend, and I was ready for some help training this high energy husky.

Thoughts on property taxes

Dear Editor; Thanks to Trey Stewart for trying to help us old residents by limiting our real estate taxes in the future.

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