Morning Sentinel staff photo

OPENING DAY: Scott Chapman of Chapman Construction pauses between opening water lines to camps on Great Pond in Belgrade Village. Chapman said he opens 200 homes and camps for the summer season.
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SAD 59: Evolution question debated
The state Department of Education disagrees with an Athens School Board director who wants School Administrative District 59 to drop evolution from its high school science curricula.

A ride on the rails
ROCKLAND -- Trains are in Steve Morse's blood.

'Your word is your bond'
WATERVILLE -- H. Allen Ryan gave Thomas College's class of 2008 four pieces of advice at commencement Saturday afternoon.

Unity has 'greenest' event for graduates
UNITY -- It may not be easy to be green, but living in a sustainable way is important.

Mitchell urges UMA grads to take risks
AUGUSTA -- A newly minted college graduate, Ann Marie Murphy-Heun has renewed confidence in herself.

J.P. DEVINE: Wanted: Lessons in being redneck
Wanted: One White Working Class Rural American male to give a White Urban Semi-Working Class Male survival lessons. Experience required. Will pay in acting lessons and successful sartorial tips.

Farmers invited to energy workshop
SKOWHEGAN -- Farmers interested in learning more about increasing energy efficiency on their farms are invited to attend a free workshop on energy audits at Grassland Farm in Skowhegan from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. May 14.

EAST WILTON: Town might take over an abandoned building
EAST WILTON -- A house on Temple Street could become town property, following a petition drive by local citizens.

Skowhegan site is working out
SKOWHEGAN -- The owner of Spartan Gym on Main Street has visions of making it a gathering place for young people interested in fitness and weightlifting.

CanCun serves up authentic Mexican cuisine
WATERVILLE -- Food lovers who have never tasted authentic Mexican cuisine may be a bit tentative when they first patronize CanCun Mexican Restaurant on Silver Street.

Police Log
IN WATERVILLE, Saturday at 1:14 a.m., police received a report of a fight on Front Street.

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SPECIAL REPORTS Capitals series Concord, N.H.

All the pieces fell into place for Concord a decade ago
[April 13, 2008]

Concord's business owners jump at chance in limelight
[April 13, 2008]

New Hampshire's Statehouse has proud past
[April 13, 2008]

Montpelier, Vt.

Augusta, Montpelier split on use of downtowns
[April 6, 2008]

Frugal approach keeps Statehouse well-preserved
[April 6, 2008]

Four factors contribute to city's success
[April 6, 2008]

'If you don't have pedestrian traffic, you can't cut it'
[April 6, 2008]

About this series Our three-part Sunday capitals project compares the capital cities of northern New England. Augusta, Maine's capital, is trying to reinvent itself. Two other New England capitals offer lessons.

APRIL 6: The Capitol and downtown are inseparable in Montpelier, Vt., a key reason the city remains vibrant. APRIL 13: Concord, N.H. invested in infrastructure 10 years ago. The payoff has been lower taxes and a healthier downtown. APRIL 20: Augusta's downtown merchants are committed to staying, and yearn for development along the Kennebec River.

Maine's aging boomers Maine's aging boomers face a different retirement [February 20, 2008] For many boomers, working longer is desire and necessity [February 19, 2008] Who will pay for long-term care? [February 19, 2008] New retirees' housing needs challenge communities [February 18, 2008] Impending retirements will have profound impact on Maine [February 17, 2008] Health care in crisis as work force declines [February 17, 2008] BOOMER PROFILE: Tim Bolton [February 20, 2008] BOOMER PROFILE: Sylvia Yeaton [February 19, 2008] BOOMER PROFILE: Harold Booth [February 18, 2008] BOOMER PROFILE: Penny Hathaway [February 17, 2008] BOOMER PROFILE: Mike Barden [February 17, 2008]

A look back at Maine's Governors
Dead Serious; Independent Jim Longley wanted to be 'the people's governor' [December 31, 2007] Devoted and Loyal Edmund Muskie made his mark on Maine, U.S. [November 26, 2007] 'Proper and efficient' Gov. Gardiner [November 5, 2007] Full-time governor Carl Milliken led Maine with forward thinking [September 24, 2007] Plaisted's term a painful legacy [August 27, 2007] Gov. John Hubbard 'Well-educated doctor' left his mark on Maine [July 30, 2007]

'For I Was Hungry' Series
"For I was hungry," a seven-part editorial series, documents the depth and breadth of hunger in Maine, from the dramatic increase in food pantries to the thousands of children who come to school hungry to the elderly with bare cupboards. For more, click here.