by Ruth Leubecker

As substance abuse dominates the front pages, infecting a growing number of troubled lives, it is noteworthy to hear about a success story. Jamie Corbett of Marshfield is a practitioner from all angles. Her youthful substance abuse became a traumatic battle to survive. Hers is a story of hope and positive accomplishment, worth telling as a beacon for others to exemplify. After setbacks and relapses, she did more than just survive; she became a drug counselor and impassioned champion of others waging the same war.

by Jayna Smith

The border with Canada has been closed since March of 2020 for all but essential travel.  Falling under the category of essential includes media, an important means for citizens to obtain information about safety and welfare, as well as other critical information.  

For one local businessman, Pierre Little, owner of The Calais Advertiser and Machias Valley News Observer, the regular cross into St. Stephen from Calais was not allowed, despite proper credentials and a U.S. CDC-issued vaccination card.  

Democratic Senators and Sanders, King and Collins vote to confirm Lying Anti-Semite racist to Top Department of Justice Civil Rights Job

On Tuesday, June 15, at 6 p.m., the Camden Public Library will host Maine author Robin Clifford Wood for an online book talk and narrated slideshow about her new book The Field House: A Writer's Life Lost and Found on an Island in Maine. The book is a compelling blend of biography and memoir recounting the remarkable life of writer Rachel Field. The story is told by the woman who lived in Field’s old island home in Maine, sparking a unique sisterhood across time. Email [email protected] to request a Zoom link to attend.

Jane Ellen (Magner) Kamm
August 23rd, 1940 - May 20th, 2021

by Ruth Leubecker

Better access to justice in Washington County, says Rep. Will Tuell, means Downeast Mane needs two district attorneys.

A years-long debate has hinged on the issue that Washington and Hancock counties, having long shared a DA, now each need their own. “I’m thrilled with the support,” says Tuell, sponsor of LD 272, An Act to Establish Separate Prosecutorial Districts in Downeast Maine. “We  could elect our own district attorney in November 2022.”

by Nancy Beal

Jonesport’s Peabody Memorial Library is full of artwork these days, all part of a silent bidding auction from now through July 17. The subjects range from the traditional boat and shore scenes that this seaside area traditionally inspires through illustrated mottoes to a couple of abstracts. They are the product of Laura Fish’s art students at Beals Elementary School, professional painters who live in the area, and six posthumous panels done in decoupage.

EAC is thrilled to announce our Summer Workshop Series, to be offered June 29 through August 17 at the center, in accordance with CDC guidelines for safe gatherings. In addition to the center’s usual Tuesday afternoon offerings, there will be a special Sunday afternoon workshop in late July, and a four-day Summer Arts Camp for youth.

The Washington County Extension Association will hold its annual meeting virtually, featuring the Norman W. Duzen Community Service Award, on Tuesday, June 22, beginning at 6 p.m.  

by Ruth Leubecker

Sharon Mack, who had been the face of the Machias Bay Area Chamber of Commerce for years, now exemplifies the face of the nonprofit itself.
“I’ve been furloughed since a year ago last March,” she says. “And this is our second summer without a fundraiser. Our membership never kept us afloat. We needed those fundraisers.”

by Jayna Smith

Anyone who has renovated one of the many old homes in Calais knows that task can sometimes unearth some sort of token from years past. Such was the case last week for Charles Lewis and his wife Ginger when Charles opened a wall at their Main Street home.

In May 2021, Downeast Community Partners (DCP) received word that the Good Shepherd Food Bank (GSFB) awarded DCP’s Nutritional Services $15,800 for capacity building. Heather Barton-Lindloff, Nutritional Services, manager says, “The funding of this project means that we can improve and expand existing services, in turn this means promoting a healthier community.”

As families’ needs increased during COVID-19, DCP expanded food related programs; however, those changes were met with limitations.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Following the cancelation of the Machias Wild Blueberry Festival for the second year in a row, many have feared the iconic harvest festival might never return. But never fear, says festival director Ellen Farnsworth. The Machias Wild Blueberry Festival will be back in 2022, and better than before.

“I’m getting contacted three and four times per week from new vendors that want to be a part of the 2022 festival,” said Farnsworth. “So that’s exciting, we’ll probably see lots of new faces next year.”

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

On any normal day, a stream runs behind Danny Bunker’s property in Roque Bluffs, something he describes as a “trickle.” But in the early morning hours of Wednesday, June 9, that trickle became something else altogether.

“That stream was 100 feet wide,” said Bunker. “It was like a river.”

by Jayna Smith

Organizers of Eastport’s Fourth of July celebration have been hard at work for weeks, planning and scheduling events, with considerations made due to the COVID-19 pandemic and guidelines set at the state level.  

This year, the easternmost city will kick off the weekend with a family-friendly street dance happening Friday, July 2 at Overlook Park beginning at 7:30 p.m., with Saturday, July 3 and Sunday, July 4 full of events throughout the days.  

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Bar Harbor Foods’ products are distributed from three U.S. warehouses, sold in 10 countries and 25,000 stores, but they’re all packed in one cannery that stands between Holmes Bay and the Cutler Road. In fact, it’s the last cannery on the coast of Maine, in operation for more than 104 years.

by Jonathan Reisman

The Penobscot Maritime Heritage Association is celebrating Maine’s 200th birthday with a big splash. Tall ships and schooners will ply the waters of the mighty Penobscot River for the first time in 40 years! Historic seafaring vessels will visit various ports in the lower Penobscot River basin from July 9-18, 2021. They will be honoring Maine’s rich maritime past in the waterfront towns that anchor the geographic area known as the 4-Port Loop. This year, the anchors are Bangor, Bucksport, Orrington, and Searsport. The 4-Port Loop celebration is proudly presented by Bangor Savings Bank.

by Hazel Stark

by Jonathan Reisman

My June 2 column took Senators King and Collins to task for confirming Kristen Clarke as the top civil rights attorney at President Biden’s Department of Justice. Ms. Clarke is a stone-cold anti-Semite racist who had advocated defunding the police and discriminating against whites and Jews for “equity”. Senator Collins was the only Republican who supported Ms. Clarke.

I let both Senators know my displeasure with their votes, and here are their responses:

Dear Mr. Reisman,

Join chef and author Barton Seaver at the Peabody Memorial Library in Jonesport, Wednesday, June 30, at 4 p.m., as Barton prepares Kingfish, fresh Dutch Yellowtail provided by Kingfish Maine, and The Kingfish Company.

At the Kingfish Maine-sponsored event, you can try Dutch Yellowtail,  a ‘Green Choice’ recommended by the Good Fish Foundation as an excellent sustainable alternative.

by Nancy Beal

Without discussion or opposition, on June 23 approximately 20 Jonesporters voted to spend $1,755,169 on their elementary school in fiscal year 2021-22. The lion’s share of that amount was $637,529 in additional local share: money needed beyond what the state considers necessary to run the school according to the funding model that it uses for all Maine schools, known as the Essential Programs and Services allocation model.

by Jayna Smith

Since being closed to all but essential travel back in March of 2020, the border with Canada will finally soon see some restrictions being loosened.

Effective July 5 at 11:59 p.m. EDT, those travelers who are currently able to enter Canada will be able to do so without having to quarantine if they are fully immunized against COVID-19.  Those “eligible” include those with a right of entry, such as Canadian citizens/dual citizens, permanent residents, and people registered under the Indian Act.