Many years ago, we lived in Groton, Massachusetts. I loved the small-town life — village meetings, friendly neighbors, big white churches on a hill. The past was all around us in New England.

Today I remembered all over again why I hated to leave this area: the beauty and charm, the sense of place that’s in short supply elsewhere in the country.

Boothbay Harbor, Maine, looks like a picture postcard: boats in the harbor, a mist rolling in. Today we may see a lighthouse, too.

New England: bring it on!