by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Jim Jackson was elected to the Machias Board of Selectmen on Tuesday, June 11 with 50 votes. Jackson was the only candidate on the Machias ballot, having completed the town's election paperwork earlier in the spring. Both Ed Pellon and Bruce Smith ran write-in campaigns for the position. Pellon received 29 votes and Smith received 25 votes.

by Nancy Beal

The Moose-A-Bec Teachers Association (MTA) and the Union 103 school board (which oversees matters pertaining to all three schools in Jonesport and Beals) have been in contracts talks for over a year. Negotiating teams from each side have been through various levels of discussions — all unsuccessful — including a three-person fact-finding panel whose recommendations, delivered last month, favored the teachers but were rejected by the school board. Last week, it appeared that the two sides were approaching a compromise.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

This weekend Machias will celebrate its Revolutionary War history in a way no other town in the nation can.

“What a treasure we have here. So many of our historic reenactors, as well as many of the Wabanaki reenactors, are direct descendants of the actual heroes!” said Carlene Holmes. “Where else can you find such a historical reenactment? Williamsburg or Gettysburg, Plymouth?”

No.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

When Patti Sansing opened Whole Life Natural Market in 2003 it checked two boxes for her: it allowed Sansing and her family to move closer to their extended family, and it allowed her to share her knowledge of natural healing through the store’s products.

“I was studying to be a holistic nutritionist, but my family is from here so we used to come here all the time for vacations,” said Sansing. When the previous owner put the store up for sale, Sansing and her husband purchased it and moved to Machias.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

It was hot that June, more than 75 years ago. A young woman was about to graduate from Machias Memorial High School, so she and her two sisters made the long drive to Ellsworth for celebratory flowers. By the time they arrived back in Machias, all of their flowers were wilted. Having no other florist nearby, they asked their parents for help.

“Mr. and Mrs. Parlin had beautiful gardens, so they went to them and asked them if they could have some for graduation,” said Rhonda Reynolds.

One more week and school will be out for the summer break. I know the kids are looking forward to having some fun this summer. Hopefully, they will be busy and not too bored. I am looking forward to doing some fun things myself and going places.

Carroll and I were in Ellsworth on Tuesday for his appointment; it was a quick trip but we did enjoy a meal at Governor’s before returning home.

On Thursday I met up with Nancy Pike and her mother Jeannette Smith at 44 Degrees North Restaurant in Milbridge for a nice meal. A pleasant way to spend an evening with great company.

The John H. Ahlin Scholarship and Norman Nelson Scholarship have been awarded to four graduating high school seniors from Washington Academy in East Machias. The John H. Ahlin Scholarship, each in the amount of $500, has been awarded to Devyn Seeley and Donald Soctomah. The Norman Nelson Scholarship, also in the amount of $500 each, has been awarded to Cole Avery and Josiah Brown.

by Ruth Leubecker

As the wild blueberry industry continues to combat a severe economic downturn, a recent bill for expanding and diversifying the Wild Blueberry Commission offers hope for change.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Twelve Machias voters attended the town meeting held Tuesday, May 28, and approved a 2019/20 school budget of $5,302,588.68, an increase of $161,964.43, or 3.13 percent, over last year’s budget.

In the coming year, $2,090,708.57 in revenue will be contributed toward that budget via state subsidy, and $1,301,838.00 is projected in revenue from tuition students.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

This year’s edition of the Town of Machias Annual Report begins with a dedication to Warren Gay, Machias Board of Selectmen Chairman who died last year. The report speaks of Gay fondly, and recalls his 13 years of service on the board. “He could often be seen socializing on official business at the town office, riding his scooter through town, or working on vehicles for friends, family, or even strangers.”

by Jayna Smith

Police in Massachusetts are searching for a former Princeton, Maine woman.  Jacqueline “Jackie” Coutinho, age 53, was last seen on the morning of Wednesday, May 15 in Hinsdale, Massachusetts.  She had been spending time there with her sister for the last month.

Coutinho is described as a white female, approximately 5’ 6”, 130 pounds, with blonde and gray hair.  She was last seen wearing a purple and red sweater, blue jeans, and white sneakers.

by Wayne Smith

My father started dairy farming at his house in Jonesboro with about nine cows back in the 50s. He used stainless steel machines and put the milk in milk cans, and he had a cooler with water in it so that the milk wouldn't curdle. Every day, Shoppe’s Dairy in Machias would pick up the milk and bottle it over there. When he went in the service for two years, my grandfather and grandmother milked the cows. Every night, my grandmother washed the dishes.

by Joseph Horn

Machias residents will vote on the 2019/20 school budget referendum on Tuesday, May 28 at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Rose M. Gaffney Elementary School gymnasium. 

by Ruth Leubecker

Although over 100 turned out for a vigil in community support for Calais nurses and technicians, negotiations between employees and Calais Regional Hospital persist in a stalemate.

“There are dozens of openings at the hospital right now that management cannot fill,” said Alison Monaghan, RN, after the vigil. “If there aren’t enough employees, then this hospital cannot function properly, and that’s just not acceptable for our patients.”

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Despite lifelong struggles with reading, Shannon Davenport just wrote an essay on what it’s like to live with a learning disability.

“It just came to mind, writing about it. It just came to me,” said Davenport. “I could see the words on the paper, and that just helped.”

by Nancy Beal

Sixteen teachers from the three schools in the Moosabec area’s Union 103 district gathered in the art room at Jonesport Elementary School May 14 to air their grievances and plan their next step. They have been working without a contract for over a year during which time the negotiating teams from their union, the Moose-A-Bec Teachers Association (MAT), and the school board have been unable to reach an agreement on a new three-year contract.

by Nancy Beal

The Moosabec Ambulance Service (MAS) took part in EMS Week (Emergency Medical Services) last week with a service award luncheon at its hangar on Jonesport’s Main Street, where members of the MAS crew were recognized for their years of service. The event was organized by MAS service chief Renée Gray, a homemaker, Lubec town manager and a 20-year veteran of the ambulance service.

The Machias Bay Chamber Concerts will present a fundraising pre-season piano show on Sunday, June 9, at 7:30 p.m. in Centre Street Congregational Church in Machias. This concert will feature local pianists who perform in a variety of styles, including classical, jazz, blues, and experimental. There will be a mid-show intermission with refreshments, as well as a visual-art display. This presentation will benefit this 50th season of the series, and we’re asking a minimum $5 admission for this amazing evening. Here’s a preview of the musicians for this night:

by Joseph Horn

by Pravda Gladio

For the first time in Maine, on May 16, Democrats controlling both the House and Senate in Augusta have passed taxpayer-supported abortion services under LD 820.

Many Mainers who objected to the use of taxpayer dollars for abortion attended the Committee Hearings in April and gave testimony.  Mainers testified that they did not want their tax dollars being used to fund abortion, which is an elective procedure 99% of the time.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Christopher Stevenson of Roque Bluffs pleaded nolo contendere to charges of operating after suspension, reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon and manslaughter for an accident that took the life of his 11-year-old daughter on the night of Dec. 14, 2017. An earlier charge of operating under the influence was dismissed.

Stevenson was sentenced to 30 days in jail and four years probation. His daughter, Keagan Stevenson, was a student in the 5th grade at Rose M. Gaffney Elementary School in Machias.