UPDATE | The Gazette will shut down . . . temporarily

August 14, 2026August 16, 2026 ~ Randy Seaver

Exciting changes are on deck after a short shutdown next week that will feature five days of vacation at Maine’s largest lake

By RANDY SEAVER | Editor

Congress formally began the “August recess” tradition in 1971. Before then, federal lawmakers regularly adjourned during the summer to escape Washington, DC’s oppressive heat.

The August recess was always more than just a vacation. It gave lawmakers a chance to return home and tend to personal businesses, meeting with their constituents and other activities designed to “recharge their batteries” before going back to their grueling and important work.

On Monday, the Biddeford Gazette will begin its first-ever week-long recess when Laura and I return to Moosehead Lake for our annual vacation.

**THE VIEW FROM OUR CAMPSITE** on the shores of Moosehead Lake, near Beaver Cove, Maine

. . .

Regular readers may recall that it was during last year’s trip to Moosehead when I broke my right arm in two places.

Part of me believes that injury was God’s way of telling me to slow down, relax and remember my priorities.

During last year’s “vacation” at Moosehead, I spent a lot of time updating our social media pages, making phone calls and writing news stories connected to the University of New England and former mayor Marty Grohman’s attempt to have Roch Angers removed from the Biddeford Planning Board.

That was all time I missed with my wife; time when I should have been kayaking, reading, hiking and just relaxing.

I will not make that same mistake this year.

We’re going to miss some important news this week

Although we will miss some important stories next week, I am also convinced that our short break will actually strengthen the Gazette, giving us an opportunity to refresh before launching three big efforts in September.

While I have my toes in the crystal-clear waters of Maine’s largest lake, Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain will appear before a Congressional hearing of House Democrats at Biddeford High School.

To the best of my knowledge, this will be the first time that any type of Congressional hearing has taken place in Biddeford.

The Gazette will not be covering the scheduled Biddeford City Council meeting on Tuesday or the Planning Board meeting on Wednesday.

Lots of other local news will likely happen next week. The news business is a not a Monday thru Friday, 9 to 5 gig, and it never pays attention to your personal plans.