Machiasport votes to fill vacant selectman seat Aug. 6

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

The names of three candidates will be on a Machiasport ballot on Tuesday, Aug. 6, when voters will vote to fill one vacancy on the Machiasport Board of Selectmen. Selectman Jeff Henderson has resigned, and the newly elected selectman will serve a three-year term, beginning immediately after the election.

Jim Clark, Mike Hinerman and Bob Mercer are running for the position. We asked each candidate the same questions, and present their answers here to inform your vote.

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Sew Fetch Dog Co. draws dog lovers to Machias with Main Street expansion

 

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Caissie Roberts doesn’t like to loll about, so when she was confined to bed for eight weeks during her pregnancy, she knew she would have to find something to do, or else go crazy.

“Before [our son] Lincoln was born, our kids were Mia and Wyatt, our dogs,” said Roberts. “So I just started making them some collars out of sheer boredom.” Roberts started sewing brightly-colored dog collars featuring whimsical designs, many related to life on the Maine Coast.

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Former Moosabec educator still walking cross-country for vets

by Nancy Beal

Two-and-a-half months into his coast-to-coast trek to raise awareness of homeless veterans’ issues (see MVNO, June 5, 2019), William Shuttleworth is ahead of schedule. The former Union 103 (Jonesport and Beals) superintendent began his journey May 15 at his home in Newburyport, Massachusetts with a big send-off from well-wishers, and set off on his “10 Million Steps for Vets,” as he calls his campaign, with his wife accompanying him for the first leg.

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Medicare device fraud invades scam calls market

by Ruth Leubecker

Using telemarketing and hard-sell tactics, phone call solicitation has increased with medical device fraud lately heading the list Downeast.

These calls are trying to sell such things as back, knee, shoulder or wrist braces. Hundreds of thousands of such calls nationally leave the elderly and disabled especially vulnerable. In rural Maine where often this population lives alone, if not isolated and in pain, solicitors find a ready market.

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Passamaquoddy petroglyphs exhibit displayed at Saint Croix Island International Historic Site in Calais

 

by Natalie Boomer

Petroglyphs have been added to the Saint Croix Island International Historic Site in Calais. These petroglyphs commemorate the arrival of Champlain on Saint Croix Island.

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46th Annual International Homecoming Festival brings five days of fun to border

by Jayna Smith

The 46th Annual International Homecoming Festival, a celebration of friendship between Calais, Maine and St. Stephen, New Brunswick, is set to begin on Wednesday, Aug. 7 and run through Sunday, Aug. 11.

Many events for all ages are held on both sides of the border during the five-day festival, beginning with the “Hands Across the Border” Opening Ceremony on Wednesday. The Ferry Point Bridge to Canada is closed during this event, allowing many from both sides to meet in the middle where the countries’ two flags will be hung.

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SSC presents at Machias Rotary

 

Marci Gaglione, publicity chair for the Sunrise Senior College, gave a passionate talk on SSC to the Machias Rotary Club on Tuesday, July 30. She explained that SSC had its beginnings at a June 2002 dinner presentation made to a group of interested Washington County residents. By the end of the evening a steering committee had been formed with the full support of John Joseph, the president of UMM. SSC has continued to flourish as an all-volunteer organization ever since.

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Local businesswoman follows her passion, one sticker at a time

 

by Kaileigh Deacon

A lot of people will spend hours browsing online shopping sites or visiting brick-and-mortar stores to find that perfect item they are looking for, whether for a gift or for themselves. Meredith Dow took another approach to this — she took the things she wanted and said, “I can do that.”

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‘When the Chevy Breaks’ features local stories, local filmmakers Aug. 15

 

Filmmaker and teacher Alan Kryszak worked with his University of Maine at Machias students to write, direct and produce When The Chevy Breaks (How Small Towns Fix Big Problems).

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EAC concert series features Resinosa Ensemble, Mira Gill

 

The Eastport Arts Center’s popular summer concert series continues on Aug. 16 with the Resinosa Ensemble, including Joëlle Morris, mezzo-Soprano, Eliza Meyer, cello and Bridget Convey, piano. A reception with refreshments courtesy of Sweetie’s Dog-O-Rama will follow the concert.

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Waterspout adds note of adventure to local sailing camp

 

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

It was Gianna Hall’s and Helen Racherla-Mace’s first day at sailing camp when a rare waterspout kicked up on Indian Lake in Whiting. The two girls were out for a sail with their instructor, Scott Fraser, on Monday, Aug. 5 when Fraser noticed the increase in wind speed that often accompanies a wind shift. Then, their sailboat capsized. It was a clear, sunny day.

“I just saw a little puff coming across the lake, and next thing you knew we were heeled up really hard,” said Fraser. “We ended up in the water very quickly.”

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PRSWDD requests guaranteed tonnage reduction from MRC

 

by Nancy Beal

By formal letter following the July 19 meeting between the Pleasant River Solid Waste Disposal District (PRSWDD) board of directors and representatives from the Municipal Review Committee (MRC) (see July 24, 2019 MVNO), PRSWDD asked MRC to reduce the annual tonnage that it agreed to send to MRC’s designated disposal site. PRSWDD’s current required tonnage is 500 tons, and because of the expected departure of Jonesport and Columbia Falls, which together generate 199 tons, PRSWDD directors want its obligation reduced to 300 tons.

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Region buzzing with preparations for 44th Annual Machias Wild Blueberry Festival

 

 by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

While enthusiastic spectators counted backwards from 10, a giant blueberry descended from the steeple of Centre Street Congregational Church on Sunday, Aug. 11 signifying the official start to the 44th Annual Machias Wild Blueberry Festival. Festival planners Ellen Farnsworth and Nancy Lewis said they were banking on one critical thing for this year’s festivities.

“It won’t be raining,” said Farnsworth.

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State director of Opioid Response: ‘We want to help Washington County”

 

by Jayna Smith

On Monday, July 29, Downeast Recovery Support Centers in Calais and Machias were visited by Gordon Smith, Director of Opioid Response for the State of Maine, and Ronald Springle, M.D., a board member of the Maine Association of Recovery Residences. Senator Marianne Moore was also in attendance at the Calais site, along with representatives from other area agencies and people from the recovery community.

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Hinerman elected Machiasport Selectman

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Machiasport held elections on Tuesday, Aug. 6 to fill a vacancy on its three-member Board of Selectmen and to elect a representative to the school board.

Of the 144 votes cast, Hinerman received 62, candidate Bob Mercer received 56, and candidate Jim Clark received 26. Ninety people cast a vote for Rose Williams, who ran unopposed for the open seat on the school board.

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From Machias to Fenway and back again

A tour bus full of Downeast Red Sox fans attended the Aug. 10 game between the Los Angeles Angels and Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. The trip was organized by the Machias Bay Chamber of Commerce with lots of help from Dean McGuire of McGuire Seasonal Services, who scouted the tickets and hotel accommodations. MBCC Executive Director Sharon Mack said the event is less about raising money and more about the chamber creating offerings for its community. “Our hotel was across the street from Fenway, you couldn’t get any closer than we were,” said Mack.

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Milbridge Days at a glance

 

by Wayne Smith

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Out and about in Columbia

 

by Ronie Strout

Fifteen residents turned out to the selectmen’s meeting on August 5. The selectmen accepted the minutes of the July 22 meeting and also voted to close the office in the afternoon on August 8 for staff training.

Update on the road work was given by the road commissioner Marcus Norton; he is still waiting for tax money or money from surplus to get started on the work that needs to be done.

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The sound of summer's end

 

by Wayne Smith

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Annual Passamaquoddy ancestral canoe trip marks start of 54th Ceremonial Indian Day at Sipayik

 

by Dominic Gayton

On August 8, members of the Passamaquoddy tribe embarked on a two-day canoe trip from Indian Township to Pleasant Point to mark the beginning of the 54th Ceremonial Indian Day.

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Pirates to invade Lubec, Machias militia to the rescue!

 

by Heather Henry-Tenan

Labor Day weekend is typically a stressful time for Lubeckers. It is when the local’s “Ayuh” is replaced with a defensive Lubec “Arghhhh.” Every year tourists and locals join forces to defend the tiny coastal community of Lubec from northern Eastport  "pirates" invading by sea, land, and air.

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Special parish fundraising events planned in coming weeks

 

Like many first-time visitors before him, Fr. Philip Clement quickly felt a special connection to the Machias area and the benevolent individuals and families of St. Peter the Fisherman Parish.

“It’s a true delight,” said Fr. Philip Clement, who was appointed administrator of the parish (Holy Name Church, Machias; Sacred Heart Church, Lubec; St. Michael Church, Cherryfield; service to this parish also includes St. Timothy Church in Campobello, New Brunswick) in July of 2018. “Not only have I come to know it, but I’ve also come to love it.”

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Machias family breaks new ground with first Downeast hemp farm

 

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

For regular travelers of Machias’ Kennebec road, it seemed like the plants popped up overnight. One day there were empty fields surrounding Schoppee Farm, and the next, neatly-mulched rows of tall, green plants spreading as far as the eye can see.

“Now that they’re big enough to be identifiable, we get a lot of people stopping and asking us questions about them, which is great,” said farmer Ben Edwards. “But the assumption is that it’s marijuana.”

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Federal grant funds help Roque Bluffs target enhanced internet connectivity

by Ruth Leubecker

Federal grant money earmarked for expanding broadband in rural Maine will soon find its way to Roque Bluffs.

“We’re excited about this federal emphasis on rural areas,” said Marc Ouellette, CEO of Axiom Technologies last week. “To date, enough attention has not occurred in rural communities, and we still have great gaps.”

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DA quashes rumor that assistants have resigned

by Jayna Smith

Assistant District Attorneys (ADAs) are an important part of our legal system.  Representing the state government on behalf of the district attorney, ADAs investigate alleged crimes with law enforcement and determine if there is enough evidence to open a case.  Also, in such an incident where a case is opened, the ADA will bring evidence to a jury and seek jail or prison time for those found guilty of committing a crime.  

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Aquarium catches fire, then puts out fire at Elm Street Elementary School

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Sometime in the early morning hours of Saturday, Aug. 3, an aquarium caught fire at Elm Street School in East Machias. Principal Tony Maker said the fire could have begun with the aquarium’s filtration or aeration systems. Fortunately, it appears that the aquarium’s water stopped the fire from going very far.

“Talking to both the fire chief and the insurance adjuster, they believe that once the fire got hot enough, it cracked the aquarium,” said Maker. “It was actually the water in the aquarium that extinguished the fire.”

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Fair readies to fill Pembroke fairgrounds with festive fun

 

by Natalie Boomer

The Pembroke Trotting Association is hosting the Washington County Fair. On Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 24-25, the fairgrounds will be set up on the Old Country Road in Pembroke.

From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. various events will take place like train rides, a petting zoo, pony rides, carriage rides, face painting, apple cider demonstrations, blacksmith demonstrations, children’s games, craft tables and more.

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Out and about in Columbia

 

by Ronie Strout

 

On Monday the 12th I got a late start in getting things done, but I did manage to bake off three quarts of marafax beans and then put them away for later to have for a quick meal.

Carroll and I rode to Ellsworth on Tuesday to do errands at Walmart, and for his doctor appointment in Gouldsboro.

Twenty folks gathered at the Milbridge Historical Society on Tuesday evening to hear Gail Tooker speak on Salt Hay Harvesting. Gail had documentation of the dyking companies in Milbridge that she had found.

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Local events planned to recognize Overdose Awareness Day Aug. 31

by Jayna Smith

Last year in Maine, an average of about one person every day--a total of 354--died of a drug overdose. Although the number of deaths from overdose in 2018 decreased from 418 in 2017, according to the Office of the Maine Attorney General, the opioid crisis continues to be a public health epidemic.

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Eastport’s Salmon Festival slated for this weekend

 

by Jayna Smith

The 32nd Annual Eastport Salmon and Seafood Festival is set for this weekend, Saturday, Aug. 31 and Sunday, Sept. 1, and attendees will not be disappointed with the jam-packed schedule of events.  

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Kids’ day, concerts, photo-contest calendars top off summer at Jonesport’s Peabody Memorial Library

by Nancy Beal

A flurry of activity from concerts to calendars signals the end of summer at Jonesport’s Peabody Memorial Library this week. A celebration of the closing season kicks off from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday (August 31), highlighted by the arrival of Bess the Book Bus. Librarian/driver Jennifer Frances has become a familiar figure on the library’s lawn in August, calling kids to board the bus, peruse her supply of publisher-donated new hardback books and pick what tickles their fancies.

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East Machias campaign raises money for unpaid school lunch accounts

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

An online fundraiser set a goal of raising $500 to pay off overdue lunch accounts and as of Monday, Aug. 26 had raised $1,500.

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Growing up with the Blue Hill Fair

 

by Wayne Smith

With the Blue Hill Fair coming up this weekend, I thought I would dish out some memories of my own. It always has been a dear place for my family, and all the family enjoyed it immensely.

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DECH welcomes two practitioners home to Washington County

Down East Community Hospital welcomes Jordan Porter, DNP, FNP-BC, to our Family Practice in Machias. Jordan is a highly trained nursing professional who is happy to be back in Washington County where he intends to do his best to improve the health outcomes for his family, friends, and the community.

Jordan is passionate about the people of Washington County. He grew up on Gardner’s Lake and has many family members who live and work in the Down East area. He loves the ocean and the rugged coast of Maine.

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1st Annual Campobello Island Seaglass Festival

 

by Natalie Boomer

The 1st Annual Campobello Island Seaglass Festival will take place on September 13-15. This mini festival will include beach walks, seaglass talks, crafters markets and more.

“This year is a trial run, a ‘soft opening’ to get ideas and feedback for a full festival in 2020,” said Stephanie Anthony of the Island Seaglass Festival. “It will be three days of beach walks and talks, Beachcomber's Bazaars, etc. but on a smaller scale, due to time constraints, than we have planned for future festivals.”

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Celtic concerts welcome award-winning Connla

Calais Celtic Concerts is very excited to present one of Northern Ireland's best new groups, the multi-award-winning Connla, from Derry and Armagh, at the Calais High School on Saturday, Aug. 31, at 7 p.m. US/ 8 p.m. Canadian time. The doors will open at 6 p.m. EST.

Hailing from the cities of Armagh and Derry, the group is made up of Ciara McCafferty (vocals/ bodhran), Ciaran Carlin (Flute/Whistles) Paul Starrett (Guitar) Emer Mallon (Harp) and Conor Mallon ( Uilleann Pipes/Whistles).

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Mountain cranberries

 

by Joseph Horn

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DOC visits Machias, provides update on Downeast Correctional Facility

by Ruth Leubecker

Stakeholders were provided an update on the Downeast Correctional Facility last week when Gary LaPlante, director of operations for the project, visited the sheriff’s office.

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