Join Greenhorns for Insect Camp Sept. 6-7 in Pembroke to learn more about insect habitat and behavior, their ecology, reproduction, population dynamics and impact on agricultural production. Our teachers will cover landscape design, natural beekeeping, learning how to mitigate pesticide impacts and create sanctuaries for these critical creatures on our farms and on our landscapes. You don't have to own land to learn how to help the insects!

One thing we’ve got in Washington County is a healthy forest edge full of feral apple trees!

by Ruth Leubecker

“I don’t think much was accomplished this session. One might wonder why we even had one,” said Rep. Will Tuell last week.

The East Machias legislator said he might’ve just as well stayed on his couch as gone to Augusta and collected a hundred dollars. “Basically everyone went to lunch and got caught up with their friends. It was a waste,” he said. “We were down there (Augusta) from about 10:30 or 11 in the morning until 8 pm. Probably we only had about one and a half hours of talking.”

by Jayna Smith

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death overall in the United States. Three years ago, for individuals between the ages of 10 and 34, it was the second leading cause of death, and for individuals between the ages of 35 and 54, it was the fourth leading cause of death.

The nation will observe Suicide Prevention Week Sept. 8-14 this year.

by Jayna Smith

When the City of Eastport celebrates any event, they do so in a big way, and this year’s Pirate Festival is no exception. Now in its 14th year, the Eastport Pirate Festival gets underway this Friday and runs through Sunday, and there will be plenty to do for pirates of all ages.

by Wayne Smith

This is a story about an interview with my uncle, Stanley Smith. He talked about his experience raking blueberries since he was a child and about how, at 72, he still has what it takes to rake blueberries. He and his wife Donna are some of the last pioneers who will pick up a rake and do what has been done since the beginning. Turning back time is what real blueberrying was all about.

National 4-H Council and Microsoft are working together through the 4-H Tech Changemakers program to empower teens to create opportunities for people to participate in today’s increasingly digital world in unique ways. Tech Changemakers began with 43 teen leaders from 12 communities who invested over 1,600 hours in innovative community projects and digital skills training.

by Lauren Koss

by Nancy Beal

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Kelly Hinkle and Ryan Malagara made two different films, but they made them for one reason — to show off the region they love.

“It’s just so everyone can view the film to see the small towns we live in, to appreciate that small-town living that we take for granted every day,” said Hinkle, who lives in Columbia Falls.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

As the first week of school came to a close, something unusual took place in Machias. Two U.S. congressmen sat behind microphones in a University of Maine at Machias classroom. A television camera focused on the congressmen, one of them swung a gavel, and so began a formal U.S. congressional field hearing.

The subject? Rural high-speed internet, or lack thereof.

Two performers, one male and one female, age 13 to adult, are sought to act alongside

Ed Asner in the political comedy God Help Us, to be presented Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. and Oct. 13 at 3 p.m. at Eastport Arts Center. These are non-speaking roles, but acting is required. The performers, who will portray angels, will also be the stagehands during the production.

Those interested in these roles should email [email protected] by Sept. 20, using the word ‘angels’ in the subject line, or call (207) 853-4650.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Last winter, Machias voters overwhelmingly approved an ordinance allowing medical marijuana sales in Machias. Now, the Machias Board of Selectmen is preparing language for a recreational, or adult use, marijuana ordinance that would govern its sale, should residents vote to adopt it.

In 2016, Maine voters approved a referendum legalizing recreational marijuana. At that time, Machias voters narrowly opposed the measure, with 501 opposed and 486 in favor.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

After 25 years in the car sales business, Dalton Munson decided to retire. He ran an advertisement in this newspaper thanking his customers, closed the doors on Munson’s Auto Sales and sat back to relax. That lasted about 15 minutes.

“A little while went by, and I got a little bored, not too much to do,” said Munson. “My wife picked up the newspaper one day and read in there where they were looking for someone to deliver the paper.”

by Ruth Leubecker

Although resolution is allegedly close at hand, Calais Regional Hospital and its nurses remain locked in position. Despite attempts to find common ground, mediation remains unsuccessful, and lately nonexistent.

When asked about a possible next date for talks, DeeDee Travis, CRH vice president of community relations, claimed several days ago, “This is our final offer.”

by Nancy Beal

Lewis Collins of Hallowell has taken over the reins in the superintendent’s office at Union 103, and reported to the two elementary school boards September 11 that he was “getting out and about…and learning who’s who and what issues are important to everyone.” Union 103 is made up of Beals and Jonesport Elementary Schools and Jonesport-Beals High School.

By Pierre Little, Publisher and Managing Editor

This year, for Down East Community Hospital’s annual staff development event, the Staff Development Team prepared a team-building exercise that included food!  That food, upon the conclusion of the program, was donated to food banks in Machias and Cherryfield.

by Dominic Gayton

Calais Regional Hospital announced on September 17, 2019, that it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maine. The hospital insists it will remain open and will continue to employ its 275 employees during the interim.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Area law enforcement is seeking information that could lead to the arrest of the thief or thieves responsible for stealing hemp from the fields of Schoppee Farm in East Kennebec, Machias.  

Farm co-owner Ben Edwards said the theft was discovered during a routine inspection of the crop and could have taken place over the weekend of Sept. 14-15. It also appears to have been done by someone with knowledge of cannabis plants, because they only took the flowers.

by Nancy Beal

The Maine Coast Heritage Trust has taken ownership of 168 acres with 3,755 feet of shore frontage on Beals Island and is working to create a small preserve. Last week, MCHT’s land steward for Washington County, Deirdre Whitehead, presided over a gathering of locals to gain insight, information and guidance in that endeavor. Approximately 20 people showed up at the town office on September 17, and all seemed agreeable with the endeavor.

by Ronie Strout

September 22, 2019

Sunday, Sept. 15, was a great day to be outside working in the yard. Later that day I attended the Past Matrons and Past Patrons Association Meeting held at the Bluebird Restaurant in Machias.