Dear Editor:

I happened to be catching when Hillary Clinton gave here now famous answer to that "How do you do it?" question put to her by a voter the day before the New Hampshire Primary.

She was clearly exhausted from weeks of non-stop campaigning, and instead of reaching down for a prepared answer, she spoke spontaneously, and from the heart. And for me it was the first time I saw the real Hillary.

Until that moment, she was just another artfully packaged ambitious politician. But suddenly there she was, guard down, speaking movingly of her deep, heartfelt concern over where the country was headed.

We already know she was smart enough and tough enough to be Commander-in-Chief… but is she wise enough, and compassionate enough? And could she be Hillary, and not Billary? I now suspect Yes, Yes, and Yes.

We can only hope she recognizes it was that single, powerful revealing response she gave on Monday which brought her victory on Tuesday.

Because it was in fact both her defining moment and her finest hour.

John VanOrsdell

Boothbay

Dear Editor:

As 2008 begins, let us reaffirm our commitment to make our Boothbay Region a safer place; one that is free from abuse and violence. During the recent holiday season, the Remembrance Tree on the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library lawn served as a visual reminder of the tragic end of life for two women in our community, and as a reminder to others out there who may be struggling with domestic violence in their own lives. We want you to know that help is available.

The Boothbay Region Domestic Abuse Prevention Council would like to thank the Boothbay Harbor Library and its Trustees for allowing us to once again place this special tree on their lawn. Additionally, we extend a special thanks to Bob and Kitty Boyd at the Boothbay Region Greenhouse for once again selecting, securing and hauling away the tree. Also, thank you to Albert Greenleaf for keeping the electricity connected and our purple lights glowing.

We have planned another exciting year of education and awareness opportunities for the community. In 2008, we will focus on the issue of emotional abuse. We are planning a workshop in the spring with a nationally acclaimed expert, Dr. Robin Stern. Dr. Stern has written a book entitled "The Gaslight Affect." She will be coming here to teach us more about this all too common problem. We will provide you with more details of this exciting educational opportunity in the coming months.

If you are looking for a way to support the efforts of New Hope for Women in our Region, please join the Boothbay Region Domestic Abuse Prevention Council this Sunday, January 20 at the Russell House between 10 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. Twenty percent of the day's proceeds will be donated by the owners, Scott and Corinne Larson, to support the continued work of New Hope for Women on our peninsula. We are very appreciative of their generosity and do hope that you will come by and enjoy some great food for a great cause!!

If you or someone you know needs additional support or information about domestic violence, New Hope for Women offers free, confidential toll free services at 1-800-522-3304.

Please join us in making 2008 a safer and healthier year for all.

Peace to all -

Holly Stover

On behalf of the Boothbay Region Domestic Abuse Prevention Council