Dozens of young men and women, many still not yet 18 years old, walked into a funeral service Thursday for Jay teenager Heather Johnson, who died Sunday in a car accident.

Some came alone, others with friends and parents.

They came from all over Maine and beyond.

Many had teary eyes as they took a seat or stood when there were no more seats available.

They looked older beyond their years, dressed for the solemn occasion, many in suits and dresses, and not for one of the last carefree summer days before school starts.

They hugged. They cried. And hugged some more.

An occasional smile quickly faded away. A shy, low wave to friends was brief before the service began.

The hall was quiet except for the words spoken at the podium, the music, and the near silent weeping, sometimes soft sobbing, as they struggled to hold their composure.

As they stood in the line to pay respects to the family, friends hugged.

One father kissed the back of his son’s head. Not once, but several times. A mother hugged her weeping daughter as they walked forward.

Another father kept his hands on his son’s shoulders as they made their way to the front.

Long after they went through the line, several young men and women stood outside and shed more tears for the young woman who touched their lives.

“She didn’t deserve to die,” Amy Mansir, 18, of Farmington said. “She was the nicest person I ever met.”

– Donna M. Perry
Sole celebrity

When Scott Peters went to watch the Rolling Stones at Boston’s Fenway Park this week, twice, people knew him.

It was the boots.

A story about the Lewiston collector and his custom boots with 19-inch soles – the better to view Mick and the boys – hit the national wire days before the band’s big kickoff concert. A huge fan, he had them made several years ago for $400.

“The lady next to me said, Oh my God, I can’t believe I’m sitting next to you!'” Peters said. As for the concert, “They were excellent. They played 22 songs each night.”

Peters said he heard from several news outlets after the story ran. He was also invited to an on-air interview on the nationally syndicated “Bob & Sheri” radio show.

– Kathryn Skelton
Cost of war

As anti-war activists gathered at U.S. Sen. Susan Collins’ office Friday urging her and other members of Maine’s congressional delegation to bring American troops home, they shared what the war is costing in dollars.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates the continuing operation in Iraq is costing taxpayers an average of $9 billion a month, said Veterans for Peace. That is leading to a huge debt that will hurt the country’s economy, they said.

Another estimate by the National Priorities Project says Maine’s share of the war cost is $589.4 million, and the city of Lewiston’s share is $12.9 million.

“We must ask the senator to consider the enormous amount of good work that $589 million could have done in our state,” read a Veterans for Peace statement. That money could have provided health care to 191,292 children.

– Bonnie Washuk
Walters look-alike?

The air conditioner was needed to offset the heat when Mexico selectmen met Wednesday night in the Calvin Lyons Hall of the town office.

Trouble is, it made so much noise that people couldn’t hear what was being said, particularly when soft-spoken Town Manager John Madigan described various activities taking place in town.

Local cable access channel videographer John Rivard came to the rescue.

He brought Madigan a portable microphone and soon it was pinned on Madigan’s collar.

The first thing Madigan said, and everyone heard, after the microphone was pinned on was, “Do I look like Barbara Walters now?”

– Eileen Adams