by Nancy Beal

The 10 members of Maine’s Wild Blueberry Commission (WBC) met for a day-long session in Orono last week — masked and socially distanced with the public listening in via Zoom and telephone. From 8:30 to noon, Jane Haskell, a facilitator formerly with the University of Maine Extension Service, led them through what was billed as a strategic planning session. The session involved examining the wild blueberry industry for strengths and goals and, through interactive break-out sessions, reaching a broad consensus for the industry’s future.

by Ruth Leubecker

Lack of funding can close doors, but often opens others, and that’s what happened when Washington County Adult Education and Training debuted on the local scene.

“We opened in 2014 when Machias Adult Ed was going to close due to lack of money to keep going,” said Jane Blackwood, executive director of the small nonprofit. “We started from scratch. I hired new staff, and since then we’ve been expanding. I just want people to understand what we do and what we have to offer.”

Last week saw a quick trip through Southern Maine, coastal New Hampshire and Northern Massachusetts (no that is not the same as Southern Maine) to Logan airport and back. I watched the political signs, heard the results of $90 million dollars spent in the Maine Senate race, saw the pandemic-stricken and struggling airline and hospitality industries and a slice of the health care sector that minimized face-to-face interactions wherever possible.
Monday: Cooper to Scarborough

Amidst the uncertainty about returning to school and after a months-long stint of physical distancing, seven youth gathered this summer at Machias River Preserve with Corrie Hunkler, Youth Engagement Coordinator for Healthy Acadia, and Hazel Stark, Co-Founder of Maine Outdoor School, for a three-day, Restorative Practices in Nature and our Community Program. The program paired Maine Youth Action Network’s Restorative Practices curriculum with fun and engaging activities such as hiking, listening, reflecting, being curious, and responding to our natural surroundings.

Dr. F. James Whalen, 80, died at home in Machias on October 6, 2020. He was born in Waukegan, Illinois on October 3, 1940, to Kemener (KJ) and Avis Whalen.

He attended Rutgers University on a swimming scholarship and earned a B.S. in Chemistry. He continued onto Georgetown for his residency in Orthopedics. He completed other programs to expand his medical expertise including a program in Paris specializing in hand surgery. He also proudly served in the United States Air Force from 1962 to 1965.

by Nancy Beal

When the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine meets in Orono this week, its body will expand from eight to ten members, and half will be folks who grow the iconic Maine fruit and half will be those who process them. This change is pursuant to a law that took effect last January and to the appointment to fill the new positions by Amanda Beal, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.

by Ruth Leubecker

Setting records while engendering unparalleled national attention, Maine’s embattled candidates, Senator Susan Collins and Maine House Speaker Sara Gideon, continue their escalating competition toward the grand finale on November 3.

The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal are among the national media focusing on the Collins/Gideon contest as it races to a head as the costliest race in Maine history.

A recent New York Times/Siena College poll has Collins at 44 percent, Gideon at 49 percent and 6 percent undecided.

by Jonathan Reisman

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”- Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

“Surprise, Surprise, Surprise”- Gomer Pyle (Jim Nabors)

by Wayne Smith

As I walked into Country Hearts Antiques in Franklin, it was dark yet inviting, giving me a warm feeling. Antiques were everywhere: milk bottles, furniture, linens, collectibles and primitives. And there were a lot of dreams and hard work, sweat and adventure mixed up with it all. Soft country music came from a radio playing in the background, pleasant and nice. Everything was stacked together; years and years of work, the collecting of antiques with so much love and care.

by Hazel Stark

by Nancy Beal

As the MVNO went to print Monday, Kingfish Maine announced in a press release that the Submerged Lands Lease Application it had sought from the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands had been granted. The permit authorizes the company to install its intake and discharge pipes into Chandler Bay to service the recirculating aquaculture system it will use to raise a projected 6,000 to 8,000 metric tons of yellowtail.

by Ruth Leubecker

In an ominous triumvirate of COVID, job loss and food insecurity, Mainers already living on the edge face a precarious winter season ahead.

“We connect people with resources that can help them,” explains Allison Weiss, spokesman for Maine Equal Justice. “Like MaineCare, SNAP and DHHS. Mainers are at the greatest risk because we have a lot of people with low income and great financial need.”

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Sergeant Mary MacMaster of the state fire marshal’s service says the investigation into a fire that claimed the lives of two Machias men is still in progress.
“Before it goes public it has to be right,” said MacMaster. “It’s a horrible situation and we hope to get some truthful answers for the community as soon as we can. It takes time.”

by Wayne Smith

by Joseph Horn

by Natalie Boomer

The We Care Community Baby Center has worked out of its Machias location for many years helping the Washington County community with children’s items such as clothes, toys, books, diapers, and more.

This year, the building on 5 Water Street in Machias became the We Care Community Baby Center’s permanent home.

by Nancy Beal

 On August 19, when Jonesport selectmen opened construction bids on a small bridge that would replace a culvert that shuttles the Stillman Dyer Stream, they were dismayed to learn that the money with which they had planned to finance the project was about $40,000 short of the lowest bid. Hanscom Construction of Machias had bid $69,000 for the project and Carver Construction of Jonesport had bid $116,450.

by Jayna Smith

Many in the area may have noticed a difference in the look to the sky last week, specifically on Tuesday, as smoke from the California and Oregon wildfires blew across the country, leaving a haze up above.

According to Michael Clair, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in southern Maine, the smoke was definitely visible when it was present over the state. “The sky was much more of a milky gray in appearance, rather than blue, even when there were no clouds present,” he said.

by Camille Hawkins

Ron and Lyn Hawkins have a new grandson born on September 11, 2020, at 11:19 p.m. in Machias. Proud parents Chelsie and Chris Wallace have a healthy 9-pound baby boy named Luke William Wallace.

I got my firewood delivered on Tuesday afternoon. It's a big pile that looks like it will last a couple of winters. Thanks, Ron.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Fire has claimed two lives and destroyed two mobile homes in a Machias trailer park.

According to Sergeant Mary MacMaster of the state fire marshal’s office, the cause of the fire is not yet known and the identities of the two deceased individuals, who lived together in one of the two homes, have not yet been confirmed. The fire started sometime before 3 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 21.

“They’re just starting to go in now,” said MacMaster. Three state investigators will be on the scene today. 

by Natalie Boomer

The Whitneyville Public Library has decided to host another public supper on Saturday, Oct. 3, after a successful supper on Sept. 4.

by Dan Ryan

I was lucky enough to spend four years in the U.S. Navy, from, 1977-81.  Two of those years were spent at the Cutler Navy Base, and last month I was lucky enough to visit Machias and Cutler again after 40 years away.