Got a hankering to wet a line and reel in some fish, but can’t afford the license? You’re in luck this weekend.

But, the catch – no pun intended – is that only people whose licenses haven’t been revoked or suspended can fish for free on Maine waterways this weekend.

That’s right. You don’t need a license today and tomorrow, but all other fishing regulations apply.

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife bumped up its free fishing days that normally would coincide with Father’s Day weekend each year.

However, the department is retaining the two freebie fishing days in the winter that occur on the Saturday and Sunday preceding Presidents’ Day.

– Terry Karkos
Star-maker?

Maine Community College System President John Fitzsimmons introduced authors Wednesday as they celebrated the work of high school writers.

As Fitzsimmons introduced author Richard Russo, Fitzsimmons joked that he could have had a role in Russo’s “Empire Falls” movie.

“He just told me he’s going to make up for his mistake,” Fitzsimmons said. Russo is making a sequel to his best-seller, Nobody’s Fool.’

“Guess what?” Fitzsimmons said. “I am going to be the lead character.” The audience laughed. The title of the sequel: “Everybody’s Fool.”

More laughter.

– Bonnie Washuk
Mice released

A rumor spread Wednesday that 50 mice were released at Lewiston High School as a student prank, and it was so bad they had to close down the cafeteria.

That didn’t happen, said School Resource Officer Roger Landry. The cafeteria was not closed. Far fewer than 50 mice were released in the prank, Landry said. “So far, three mice have been caught.”

Lunch in the cafeteria went on as usual that day, said Assistant Principal Paul Amnott, who declined to further discuss the prank. “We’ve addressed it internally,” Amnott said.

– Bonnie Washuk
Proud daughter

At last Saturday’s long overdue medals ceremony at the Maine Veterans’ Home in Paris for World War II Army veteran Edmund Barker of Stoneham, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins shared an interesting tidbit with the crowd.

“There’s nothing I’d rather do than to kick off Memorial Day,” Collins said, straying from her prepared speech.

“I am the daughter of a World War II veteran who fought and was wounded twice at the Battle of the Bulge. That’s why this has special meaning to me,” she said.

Her father, Sgt. Don Collins, was only 19 at the time, the same age as Barker when he was shipped into the war zone.

– Terry Karkos
Shoes overboard

Edmund Barker got more than he bargained for in 1938 when the 16-year-old lied about his age and joined the Army. But he never got the one item he desperately needed and most desired – combat boots – until after the war had ended.

The much-desired footwear only went to soldiers in the rear echelon, not to men on the front lines like him, the ones who needed them most, he said.

Headed back to America aboard ship, he said soldiers began throwing their military issue clothing into the sea. That’s when he rescued a pair of combat boots about to be thrown overboard, put them on and threw his own tattered shoes into the sea.

– Terry Karkos

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