Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument will celebrate its second birthday with a hootenanny this weekend. And there is plenty to celebrate.

Matthew Gagnon raised an important question in his recent column, “We shouldn’t cheer those secret recordings.” Based on Omarosa Manigault Newman’s recordings, especially those done against standing security protocols in the White House Situation room, Gagnon asked, “is that the world we really want to live in?”

Were your ancestors naturalized American citizens? Naturalization isn’t something new on our national horizon. Even in the 17th century, the English colonies required an oath of allegiance to the English crown or confirmation from a Protestant minister that the alien was in good standing with the church before he could become a citizen of a colony.

At age 35 I first developed a serious interest in politics, government, public policy, and how those three interests actually worked together in the real world. I was tired of being ignorant, more confused than informed by daily news stories.

It is a brave new world out there, ladies and gentlemen, and I don't think it is a better one. Omarosa Manigault Newman, a former contestant on Donald Trump's old show, "The Apprentice," who later became a campaign aide and staffer in the West Wing, has dominated the news cycle this week for taping conversations in the White House, and now making them public. Several of those conversations portray the White House in an unflattering light, and the Trump administration is having a difficult time fighting back.

President Donald Trump and his administration didn’t invent attacks on the free press, but they have taken them to incredible and dangerous new levels.

It is important to know where candidates running for U.S. Congress stand on keeping Social Security strong for current and future retirees.

“Where are the jobs?,” asked the young man that answered the first door I knocked on for Sue Mackey Andrews, D-Dover-Foxcroft running for Maine Senate District 4.

Music is my first love, but I don’t listen to music when I’m working, neither do I listen much to music while I’m driving. When I listen to music I prefer giving music my full attention. That’s true even when I listen to music while sleeping. I focus my attention on one instrument, block out the rest, and I’m soon asleep.

Recent studies have show that Lyme disease -- a tick-borne illness with debilitating consequences -- is on the rise. If left untreated, this disease can cause arthritis with severe joint pain and swelling.

Susan Patten is full of surprises. We’ve known each other through various incarnations in Maine's news business. Mostly, Susan was a radio news broadcaster; I was communications director for legislators or political campaigns.

I volunteered to join Sue Mackey Andrews, Senate District 4 Democratic candidate, going house to house talking with residents in Piscataquis County. I was so moved by the number of people who needed to work two jobs just to keep up with healthcare and medication expenses

Jason Brochu’s opinion piece about how tariffs on imported lumber will offset the present advantage Canadian producers enjoy from Ottawa’s subsidies does not mention the fact that Maine taxpayers have subsidized many businesses here, including Brochu’s company, through tax incentive programs, such as the Pine Tree Development Zone and Employee Tax Increment Financing.

The Maine Interior Design Association is disappointed that Matthew Gagnon did not take the time to properly research his recent column in which he decries the licensing of our profession. An easy place to start is on our website (midamaine.org) where anyone can learn what the title Maine Certified Interior Designer means.

I have a confession to make, which is sure to set the teeth gnashing of my conservative brethren. I was once a proverbial "card carrying member" of the American Civil Liberties Union. Not something you hear a lot of Republicans admit, I grant you.

When it comes to ignoring the law, Gov. Paul LePage is a habitual offender. Throughout his nearly eight years in office, the governor has shown an unusual willingness to break state law, disregard the Maine Constitution, violate his oath of office and toss aside the norms of government.

The Trump administration's recent freeze of payments to insurers with sicker customers is another swipe at Obamacare. According to American Health Insurance, this freeze will cause escalating healthcare costs especially to those who need it the most. Ever since failing to totally repeal Obamacare, the Trump administration along with Republicans have taken steps to make it increasingly difficult for the Affordable Care Act to function and to be affordable.

It wasn’t so long ago that almost everyone belonged to a fraternal, religious, lineage, literary, or musical society. They enjoyed the meetings, socializing with friends, gossiping among themselves, and doing good along the way. They worked hard but made time to attend meetings of the Grange, Masons, Elks, Knights of Pythias, the DAR, or any of a number of other groups.