by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

It isn’t often that statements from the U.S. Department of Commerce contain the word “Machias,” but that was the case on Sept. 27 when an email from Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross announced the Economic Development Administration has awarded a $1.53 million grant to the Axiom Education & Training Center in Machias, Maine.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

A Career and Technical Education (CTE) training center slated for the former 4 Corners Shop & Save location in Columbia is one step closer to becoming reality. Superintendent Donald Ramsay said that the sale of the building closed on Thursday, Oct. 10.

At its annual state conference held Oct. 19, the Maine Press Association recognized the Machias Valley News Observer with nine writing and photography awards. MVNO sister paper, the Calais Advertiser, won four awards, including one for General Excellence in Advertising.

The awards were presented Saturday night at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Portland, concluding a day of workshops and networking for reporters and photographers, journalists, advertising staff, and designers throughout the state.

by Ruth Leubecker

Child abuse and neglect have undoubtedly always been a sad fact of life. But in 2019 two individuals brought the crime front and center. Each is now serving lengthy prison sentences as Maine’s child welfare system reels from its revealed crisis in operation.

by Nancy Beal

by Nancy Beal

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Machias Board of Selectmen Chairman Joshua Rolfe opened last week’s bi-monthly meeting by calling to open bids for a new school stove. Town manager Christina Therrien’s response moved the meeting quickly onto item number two.

“There were no bids received,” she said.

Dr. Mark Brown returned to the board to offer a suggestion for how the town can generate electricity to light downtown public areas, especially Bad Little Falls Park, while adding historic character to the Machias riverfront.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

For the fourth time in almost 25 years, Mike Burke of Northern Fire Equipment handed a set of keys over to the Machiasport Fire Department.

“When was the first time we bought a truck from you?” asked Machiasport Selectman and Firefighter Mike Hinerman.

“It was 1995,” said Burke, who made the delivery from his company’s headquarters in Watertown, New York.

by Ronie Strout

On Sunday, October 6th I ventured forth to Ellsworth early in the morning to take the Chainsaw Safety Course at the Great Maine Lumberjack Show on the Bar Harbor Road in Trenton, taught by Timber Tina and Michelle M. Braley. Ten ladies were there to take this course, and we learned a lot. We learned how to take the saw apart and take the chain off and put it back on, we learned how to sharpen the chain and to make sure it was tight enough and not loose.

The Peabody Memorial Library in Jonesport will host a Down East Photography Group (DEPG) photo exhibition that will run during the month of October.

The Down East Photography Group was founded by a half dozen local photographers interested in creating a supportive environment for sharing knowledge and networking for all photographers, regardless of skill level and experience.

by Nancy Beal

Palliative care, a medical specialty that focuses on improving the quality of life for those with serious illnesses, was the subject of the twelfth annual Washington County Cancer Conference held in Machias on October 4. According to the definition presented by conference speakers, palliative care “emphasizes pain and symptom management, counseling for patients and families, support for patients making decisions about their treatment and goals of care, and care coordination.”

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Maine newcomer Dr. Todd Landry has weathered the transition from southern summers to northern winters before. His 20-plus year career working with children and families has taken him in and out of Texas several times, including two years spent as the head of Nebraska’s Division of Children and Family Services.

“A few folks have asked, ‘Are you sure about winters in Maine?’’ said Landry. “But my wife and I joke that we know the first winter is usually the hardest, then it gets better after that.”

by Peter Duston

Scouting proved alive and well at the 57th International Camporee held at Cobscook State Park on Saturday, Sept. 28, when 130 scouts and leaders from the United States and Canada gathered, camped, played, and demonstrated outdoor skills under the open skies of Downeast Maine.

by Wayne Smith

Ida McGee and her husband David have had a farm in Steuben for 13 years. This is a story of devotion and love for a dream. After they retired, they bought a farm. Maybe they didn’t know what they were getting themselves into. Every day is a new adventure; just getting up in the morning can be a chore. It’s a story about grinding things out from one day to the next. Every day is different. Every day can bring challenges. Every day is new and unique. And I kind of got an idea of what that was like when I sat down and talked to Ida McGee.

The University of Maine at Machias Clipper Athletics Hall of Fame hosted its annual induction ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 5, in conjunction with the university’s homecoming festivities.

Mike Merritt, a graduate of the UMM class of 1971, is the newest member of the Clipper Hall of Fame. Inductees are nominated for their athletic achievements and for positively representing the university after graduation, and are voted on by a committee.

 The University of Maine at Machias and the Downeast Salmon Federation (DSF) signed a memorandum of understanding Oct. 2 that formalized the growing partnership between the two organizations.

“Partnering with DSF both broadens and strengthens the STEM programs that the university can offer students,” said Daniel Qualls, head of campus at UMM. “We can get our students out in the field doing real science.”

by Ruth Leubecker

Although several vendors were considered in the selection process, Down East Community Hospital recently settled on Envision Physician Services to provide Emergency Department services.

“After an in-depth review and discussion, Envision best met our needs and requirements,” said Steve Lail, hospital CEO. “The decision to change service providers will keep the same access to service, but be more financially sustainable over time.”

by Nancy Beal

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Every Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. you’ll see lights on in the old terminal at Machias Valley Municipal Airport. That’s because it’s now the permanent home of the ME075 Machias Valley Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), an organization that has been introducing Washington County youth to the joys of aviation for more than 30 years.

by Camille Hawkins

Jewel has a new job training a new mustang addition to their farm.  I will have to go out and get a look-see.

Karen has been working on her woodpile and also starting to move into the remodeled house.

I also worked all day Monday on my wood supply. I worked with the wood splitter and also put a few loads in under cover. I think we slept good that night.

Linda and I cleaned up from bear camp and got everything packed up for next year.

Calais Celtic Concerts will present the hottest group in folk music out of Wales this year. The Trials of Cato will perform at a special show on Sunday, Oct. 6, at 7 p.m. at The Calais High School. The group has won the 2019 Best Emerging Artist Award, at the Wales Folk Award ceremony this year and is up for two more BBC Awards this November. They are only in the states for a short, two-week stint, as they continue with their world tour.  

by Dominic Gayton

On September 17, Calais Regional Hospital filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after a tumultuous period financially. Down East Community Hospital CEO Steve Lail made the following statement to The Calais Advertiser on the subject: