by Nancy Beal

by Nancy Beal

Maine 2nd Congressional District Representative Jared Golden was the featured speaker at the Washington County Democrats’ Norman Nelson Dinner in Machias May 18. The dinner was held to present the group’s community service award (it went to Fred and Linda Gralenski of Pembroke), and Golden echoed the theme of the evening in his remarks.

The Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services (MBVS) is pleased to announce that the American Legion and Easterseals Maine will be points of contact for distribution of Veterans’ Emergency Financial Assistance (VEFA), which is the result of the passage of LD 1736 in the 128th Maine State Legislature, a bill that was originally sponsored by Representative Louis Luchini of Ellsworth and Representative Bradlee Farrin of Norridgewock.

By Nancy Beal

Maine vocalists and musicians Julia Lane and Fred Gosbee have been weaving the musical heritage of New England and Celtic lands since 1987 and, as Castlebay, they are a familiar duo in Jonesport. On Saturday, June 15 at 2 p.m., they will bring their distinctive Celtic flair back to the Peabody Memorial Library’s summer series Music in the Library for the series’ opening concert of the season and Castlebay’s ninth appearance since the series began.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Jim Jackson wants to serve the town of Machias as a selectman, so he’s running for office again.

“I wanted it the first time and I didn’t get, but that’s no reason to stop and just give up,” said Jackson, who ran in the Feb. 26 election and lost by two votes to Glenn Davis, who was elected in February to finish a term ending in June. Davis announced he would not run again shortly after taking office.

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 Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Becky Bard used to attend the Margaretta Days Festival each year with her small children, but this year she’ll be at the festival tending something altogether different — her husband’s first book, which is also the very first guide book ever written exclusively about Washington County.

by Ruth Leubecker

Yogi Morgan is a woman of many talents, contradictions and surprises.

She was born 68 years ago in Louisville, Kentucky, though her family never lived there. Years ago she left her home in Presque Isle to accidentally find her life’s work in Chicago. She lived in more than 50 places before settling in Jonesboro, Maine.

And the list goes on. Hers has been a peripatetic life, with an astounding number of experiences integrated into the entire process. Understandably, her parents did not name their infant daughter Yogi …

by Jayna Smith

A day that included three structure fires, a home invasion and auto theft started early in Princeton on Sunday, June 9 and ended late the same day in Trenton after drawing multiple law enforcement agencies, fire departments and emergency dispatchers into its wake.

It all started at dawn when Princeton Fire Chief Tony Ramsdell said a call came in at 4:29 a.m. and “was dispatched as a double structure fire.” Six area fire departments responded to two early morning structure fires in Princeton.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Three generations of the Hoyt family owned and operated the Machias Hardware Co., the shopping centerpiece of Main Street, Machias. Now, two new families will continue in their tradition when they reopen as the Machias River General Store.

by Wayne Smith

The Maine State Police have released the following statement.

The State Fire Marshal's Office says an 18-month-old Calais boy was seriously burned Wednesday, June 12,  when a flammable liquid was poured on a campfire.   Wyatt Chandler is being treated for burns to 60% of his body at Mass General in Boston.

by Hazel Stark

by Ronie Strout

I enjoyed meeting up with Nancy Pike and her mother, Jeannette Smith, on Monday the 10th at the Pickled Wrinkle Restaurant in Birch Harbor for lunch and also met her cousin Tristan Harrington and his family.

On Tuesday, June 11 about 20 folks attended the Milbridge Historical Society presentation of Wayne Smith, Growing up on a Dairy Farm in Cherryfield. His talk was very interesting. Wayne had already written an article on his presentation in the last two issues of this paper.

by Wayne Smith

I spoke about dairy farming on Tuesday, June 11, at the Milbridge Historical Society to a crowd of about 20 people. It was the first presentation of the summer. There will be a speaker in July and August also. I took questions afterward. There were about 20 slides to my presentation. There were refreshments served consisting of items like cookies, lemonade and iced tea. There was also dip with cut-up vegetables. The presentation went on for about 45 minutes. At times the crowd laughed. They came from all walks of life.

On Wednesday, June 5 the Maine Sheriffs Association held the Shawn Donahue Memorial “Shooting Star” Competition, named for a Washington County Chief Deputywho died in 2014. The competition recognizes the best shots in the state and the best-shooting sheriff’s department. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office team finished the day in first place.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Wendy Schoppee is the newly elected president of the Machias Memorial High School Alumni Association and she is overflowing with ideas for a new, improved association.

“Last year the association was going to close,” said Schoppee, pointing to volunteer fatigue on an overworked steering committee. Instead, they rallied, recruited a few more people to the board, and elected Schoppee as their president. Now they’ve set their sights on welcoming Machias alumni back to the best August reunion ever.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Fourth graders at the Rose M. Gaffney Elementary School in Machias created, branded, bottled and sold their very own bug spray. Oofer Bugs is a natural bug repellent, and it was so popular they even had to make a second batch to fill all of their orders.

“We had originally started with 100 of these bottles, thinking that if we could get $5 apiece, if we can get the $500, we would do well,” said RMG teacher Tom Manship. “We ended up selling over $1,000 worth.”

by V. Paul Reynolds

This is the time of year when Maine’s state regional wildlife biologists examine their deer data in each of their wildlife management districts (WMDs) and make recommendations for the issuance of any-deer or doe permits in their respective districts.

The Machias Bay Chamber Concert Series launches its 50th Anniversary season with 4 evening performances.  The opening concert on Tuesday, July 9 features the Jupiter String Quartet, a world-class ensemble in residence at the University of Illinois. Next, the Series offers a Piano Trio performing pieces both “old and new” on July 16. On July 23, MBCC presents a program of French music with tenor, oboe and piano. The originator of the Series, Thomas Wolf, will be attending this concert and speaking a bit about the history of Bay Chamber Concerts.  

by Nancy Beal

It would not become public knowledge until the following week, but hours before a June 6 public forum on the standoff between the Moose-a-bec Teachers Association and the Union 103 school board over teacher contracts (see Machias Valley News Observer, June 12), the two sides had met and come to an agreement. An hour after the forum ended, the school board voted unanimously to accept the negotiated terms and, four days later, the teachers ratified the compromise document.

by Ruth Leubecker

Creative artistry, generous funding and a benefit for local business all dovetail into 10 wooden lighthouses that will dot the landscape of downtown Milbridge this summer.
“Although this will be in August, it’s already generating interest, and we are excited to be creating a totally new event for the community to enjoy this summer,” says Richard Bondurant, Gateway Milbridge chair and Milbridge resident.