"The science is clear. Raising the tobacco purchase age to 21 will save and improve lives." This definitive statement was the closing argument in an editorial published Wednesday in the Bangor Daily News. As is the case virtually any time the words "the science is clear" appear in the middle of a political debate, the "clear science" is not telling you what the authors of the political statement say it is.

If Washington insiders were forced to use the failing ObamaCare system, they would think twice about the gridlock they are causing right now. U.S. Senators like Senators Susan Collins and Angus King are enjoying Cadillac health insurance plans while they are mandating Americans ride a moped. They are so busy seeking the national limelight, they are ignoring the people in their own state.

Recently the Senate voted late into the night on a Thursday and into the early hours of Friday morning, ultimately voting down a bill that would have rolled back many parts of the Affordable Care Act. It was the right choice given the rushed nature of the process and the uncertainty of the impact the bill would have on one sixth of the American economy and on millions of people across the country, including tens of thousands in Maine.

With its magnificent buildings, monuments, and memorials, Washington is a city of inspiring sights. Just as inspiring was the sea of blue shirts worn by the more than 160 young delegates who participated in a recent hearing that I chaired on how diabetes affects people of all ages and their families.

Charles A. Dean Memorial Hospital invites the community to join in a celebration of 100 years of caring on Saturday, Aug. 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the hospital located at 364 Pritham Avenue.

Dexter Dover Area Towns in Transition’s (DDATT) Aug. 4 First Friday public discussion at the Abbott Memorial Library featured local grower and herbalist Linda Tisdale, owner of Alchemilla Herbal Apothecary. Over two dozen area people learned and shared knowledge of the many foods, flavors, and medicines that surround us.

The Center Theatre will be presenting the hilarious musical comedy “Nunsense” starting on Friday, Aug. 11. The show will be performed the weekends of Aug. 11 and 18 at the Center Theatre and then, for the first time, the theatre will be bringing the show to Greenville High School for two performances on Saturday, Aug. 26.

Seven residents from the region took part in the 20th annual TD Beach to Beacon 10K on the morning of Saturday, Aug. 5, being part of 6,879 finishers from Maine and across the world to cover the 6.2 miles.

Increasingly, I feel that discomfort watching reporters at White House press briefings. Except the reporters and the media outlets they represent are never embarrassed by their unprofessional behavior. Too often in America, when reporters act like black flies armed with digital recorders and laptops, who clearly hate politicians we don't like either, we're okay with the indiscriminate biting and chewing.

The following births were recorded recently at Mayo Regional Hospital in Dover-Foxcroft: