Washington Academy celebrated homecoming last Friday, Oct. 13 with a field day, parade, football game and bonfire. The school’s cross country team took a much-deserved seat during the parade. For more homecoming photos, see p. 14. Photo courtesy Hannah Sprague

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Selectman Joshua Rolfe opened last Wednesday’s meeting with a request to limit conversations during meetings. “I think we’re missing stuff, there’s a lot of side conversations,” he said. 

“I think we should try to be more structured and make sure that everybody, when speaking, addresses the chairman.”

Board Chairman Warren Gay agreed. “We will stop it, cause we got the hammer under here,” he quipped. “I’m going to start using it.”

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

As fishermen and foodies countdown to the opening of Maine’s scallop season in December,  the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) prepared by collecting feedback from fishermen.  Fishermen commented on proposed changes to the 2017-18 calendar, and the controversial question of how to let new fishermen into the lucrative fishery. 

by Ruth Leubecker

Dozens of interviews will ultimately provide the core of a wild blueberry museum primed to bring new recognition to Washington County.

“For a long time I’d been looking for a way to help my state prosper,” says Joline Blais. “Blueberries pull a lot of threads together. And they’re wild. Who doesn’t like something wild?!”

This Saturday, Oct. 21, is the inauguration of National Check Your Meds Day, “designed to encourage consumers to bring their prescription medications and supplements to their local pharmacies for brown bag medication reviews,” according to the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA). 

The Machias Bay Area Chamber of Commerce (MBACC) has organized Machias’ annual Trick or Treat on Main Street, scheduled to take place from 3-5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 27.

The Defenders, a law enforcement motorcycle club, will be providing security again this year. “They’ll make sure the little ones get across the street safely,” said Chamber director Sharon Mack.

It’s time to begin planning for Machias’ amazing Community Christmas!! Last year we had more than a dozen businesses and more than two dozen individuals help plan and execute the Voice of Downeast, Santa’s visit, crafts and activities, the Community Christmas Parade, Community Tree Lighting and caroling. It was a terrific success. This is a true COMMUNITY based event with townspeople taking  charge! 

As the days and nights grow chilly, wood stoves get fired up. Make sure yours is installed correctly, and that burnable items are kept away from it. Make sure your chimney is clean. If your wood is green, take special care to check chimneys and stovepipes to make sure they don’t get choked with creosote. Check with your local fire department for more tips on operating wood stoves safely.

On Oct. 10, the University of Maine in Machias (UMM) hosted the 2017 Harvest of Ideas for more than 550 Washington County educators.  Participants selected workshops from over 30 sessions led by presenters from across the State, including specialists from Maine’s Department of Education, instructors from UMaine Machias and University of Southern Maine, GEAR UP Maine, Maine-Wabanaki REACH, several social services agencies, as well as educators from RSU #2, Washington Academy, and Steuben Elementary School.

Are you interested in local food systems? Are you interested in increasing access to local food? 

Want to learn more? Come to the fall meeting of the Washington County Food Council.

The food council is a networking group that connects stakeholders from around the county in order to better inform our work to increase healthy food access and support stronger agricultural and fishing infrastructures in Washington County.