Before last week’s election, teachers at many high schools helped 18-year-old seniors register to vote.

One week, as forms were circulated at Lewiston High School, a Somali student said she was 18, but not yet a citizen. The next week she came to teacher Todd Cifelli, all smiles.

She had gone through the naturalization process and was a citizen. “She sought me out to register to vote. She was very excited she could vote,” Cifelli said. “We sat down and filled out a registration card.”

The student was overjoyed to be a citizen and able to cast a ballot, he said. It struck a chord with the American government teacher.

“This is what it’s about,” Cifelli said.

– Bonnie Washuk
Jefferson impersonator

In perhaps the mark of a true politician, the New Gloucester man who announced his campaign for president standing in Harvard Yard back in March 2007 – dressed as Thomas Jefferson and running as Thomas Jefferson – said this week his campaign wasn’t over.

In fact, it hadn’t even begun.

“It’ll start after the election,” said August “Gus” Jaccaci, 71. “It’ll be a campaign for … saving the soul of America.”

Jaccaci, a retired Harvard University administrator, has been performing as Jefferson for 11 years, often giving Jefferson’s thoughts on America from the perspective of the year 2020. His candidacy started with a simple platform: “End war. Love nature. And know your neighbors.” Earlier this year he self-published “2008: Thomas Jefferson Returns.”

That book has been picked up and repackaged by a North Carolina publisher. It will be released next month under the title “America Awake: A Declaration of Interdependence,” with a co-author credit to Jefferson.

“Everyone we’ve asked to review it has gone gaga,” Jaccaci said.

Last Sunday, he led a Unity Church service in Jacksonville, Fla., as Thomas Jefferson, something he’s been asked to do before. Jaccaci said he doesn’t do the impersonating to make money. “It has nothing to do with making a living.” Money may come, however, if the book does well.

Now, the real work begins, he said. “There’s a chance for it to make a tremendous contribution over the next few years.”

– Kathryn Skelton
Waiting for ‘The View’

The all-women ghost hunters of “Ghost Quest,” the new TV pilot filmed by Laurie Notch of Portland and Wasted Minds Media Group, have had their appearance on ABC’s “The View” pushed back to Nov. 25.

A note from the Manchester, N.H., group this week promised a “special celebrity guest” having paranormal problems.

Hmm.

The “Ghost Quest” pilot is set to air on WPME-TV on Nov. 29 at 10:30 p.m.

– Kathryn Skelton