by Phil Stuart

 June 7th Senior Scrambles at Barren View Golf Course in Jonesboro was decided by a putt-off.

The first three teams all recorded -4 while the 4th, 5th and 6th place teams recorded a -2.

 Julien Whitney teamed up with Fred Morgan, Jim Golike and Nancy Cunliffe to take home the big prize money. Last week’s winners were Jane Hooper, Stan Fitzhenry, Clint Libby and Gary Willey grabbed second place. The mayor of Bach Bay—Wayne Smith—together with Gail Berry, Ed Boland and Gordie Faulkingham finished 3rd.

Ty Openshaw is an American musician and singer-songwriter born and raised in Downeast Maine. His popularity began during his middle school years as he supported touring bands that traveled near his home town. At a young age Ty began creating a guitar/vocal wall of sound using these two instruments in combination with mesmerizing electronics. With a voice that is raw, soulful and speaking emotional truth, Ty Openshaw engages listeners and encourages them to lose themselves in the melodic message he delivers.

Husson University is pleased to share their Spring 2017 President’s List. Students who earn President’s List honors must carry at least 12 graded credit hours during the semester and earn a grade point average of between 3.80 to 4.0 during the period. Weston Ranalli of Big Lake Twp, ME is a senior who is currently enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Accounting/Master of Business Administration (MBA) program. Laura Barnett of Calais, ME is a senior who is currently enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Studies/Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program.

All are invited to Washington Academy’s Adien and Leon Look field dedication on July 15 at 1 p.m. Join the festivities, including an alumni baseball game, free hot dogs and music. If you are a WA alum and are interested in participating, please contact the WA Development Office, 255-8301, ext. 220, or [email protected].

The unrivaled king of the crates was Sean Griffith, who skipped across all 50 crates strung out for the Moosabec Summerfest lobster crate race June 30. The Virginia youngster was ferried back to the launching platform and ran 41 more crates before plunging into the sub-60 degree waters of the Carver lobster pound on Beals’ Perio Point. Photo by Nancy Beal.

Kierstin Brewton, of Eastport, a major in the University of Vermont Class has been awarded a Critical Language Scholarship to study Chinese in Tainan, Taiwan during the summer of 2017.

Grade 3: High honors: Maya Henderson, Kieli Smith. Honors: Dawson Fielder. 

Grade 4: High honors: Thaddeus Bridges, Ava Fitzhenry, Chloe Gibson, Kaiden Wood. 

Grade 5: High honors: Austin Fitzhenry, Harland Inglis. Honors: Naomi Lauze. 

Grade 6: High honors: Ryley Ingrish, Jonathan O’Donnell, Garrett Sprague, Eli Tremblay. Honors: Lacy Gibson. 

Grade 7: High honors: Aviva Bridges, Elesia Berry. Honors: Caitlyn Link. Grade 8: High Honors - Caleb Sawyer. Honors - Blaze Luna.

After working behind closed doors, Senate leadership finally released their health care bill - The Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA) – on June 22nd.  It is now clear why the Senate bill was crafted in secret. This legislation could make adequate health insurance coverage unaffordable for millions of older Americans and would be a travesty for Maine.  Mainers have a right to know what is included in this proposal.

Painting trucks were a familiar sight in downtown Machias last week as the Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) put the finishing touches on newly resurfaced roads like Free Street, Court Street and Broadway. The Machias Selectboard discussed the work at their meeting last Wednesday night. They said the MDOT has informed them that a crosswalk cannot be repainted on Court Street between Porter Memorial Library and the US Post Office because regulations require there to be no parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King announced this month that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved $3.3M in funding for 10 airports in Maine, which includes $270k earmarked for the Machias Valley Airport. “Maine’s regional airports are vital pieces of our transportation system that help bolster the tourism industry and support jobs across our state,” said the senators in a joint statement.  

by Nancy Beal

As that herald of summer, July 4, nears, many of the folks who come to Maine for vacation will be looking for lobster, boiled and dipped in butter, skewered and slathered for the grill, or as the chief ingredient in other dishes popular with tourists and locals. Perhaps most notable of the latter is the lobster roll, a feature of most summer take-out eateries.

Residents living in and around the Machias, Maine can learn about their risk for cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, and other chronic, serious conditions with affordable screenings by Life Line Screening.  The Lee Pellon Center will host this community event on July 18, 2017.  The site is located at 90 Main St. in Machias. Screenings can check for: The level of plaque buildup in your arteries, related to risk for heart disease, stroke and overall vascular health.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Artist Shanna Wheelock said that she looks to nature for inspiration when she designs awards for the Bay of Fundy International Marathon race events. “The subjects I have chosen, so far, have all come from the inspiration that I receive from the marine environment which surrounds us in Lubec and Campobello,” she said. 

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

The Fort O’Brien State Historic Site in Machiasport takes its name from a fortification built there after the Battle of Machias in 1775.  However, that fort was burned down by the British, who occupied the area during the War of 1812. According to a history soon to be published by the Machiasport Historical Society, five British men-of-war ships and 900 British soldiers captured Fort O’Brien and burnt the barracks in 1814. Cannon that were taken then were returned to Machias in 1818. 

The Burnham Tavern opened its doors for the first time earlier this month and allowed a reenactment to take place in recognition of the 240th anniversary of the Battle of the Rim. Descendants of the original battle participants met in Machias earlier this month to reenact the events leading up to the historic fight against the British, also called the Siege on Machias. 

 On Thursday, June 8 the Washington County Commissioners held a special meeting to discuss the ongoing situation surrounding the Downeast Correctional Facility. Obviously the threatened closure of the facility has weighed heavily on the hearts and minds of the people of the county, a county that has long fought to grow and keep every employment opportunity it has. 

Jennifer Weaver of Machias crossed the half marathon finish line last Sunday with a time of 2:15. Weaver, age 20, has run all three of the half marathons offered at the Washington County race event. The half, full marathon and ultramarathon runners start their race at the West Quoddy Lighthouse in Lubec, and follow a course that leads them onto Campobello Island. This year’s race drew more than 650 race participants, and more than 1,300 visitors to the region. Photo by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

by Ruth Leubecker

More than once we thought it was doomed. And there were more than a few times that we thought it might have passed us by altogether. But last week summer in all its warmth and anticipated glory actually came to town. 

Machias Savings Bank President and CEO Larry Barker stands with the bank’s new neighbor, Sandi J. Bee, in front of the historic Nash building on Main Street in Machias. Bee owns and operates the Bags o’ Rags Thrift store and also owns two other Main Street properties, making her the Nash building’s neighbor to the right and to the left. Last week Machias Savings Bank announced it had purchased the Nash building and plans to use it toward community revitalization.

Jonesport

by Nancy Beal

 Jonesport selectmen discussed the cost of clam licenses at their June 21 meeting. Presently, resident diggers pay $80 for the privilege, while non-residents, who obtain licenses through a lottery system, pay twice that. Although the authority to set license fees rests with the town’s Shellfish Conservation Committee, selectmen, noting the gap between revenue and costs of running that committee, weighed in last week.

As the local ATV season finally gets underway, the Downeast Trail Riders Association would like to thank all the sponsors of the groomer program, and remind everyone that safety and conservation are their goals, as well as to share our trails with walkers, runners, and cyclists. Last winter’s snowmobile season wasn’t lengthy, but DETR was able to replace one of their groomers. They also built a third blazer from scratch, a project that they started in the spring of 2016 and completed this March.

 Sharon and John Church with their daughters Elizabeth Parker (left) and Sarah Alley at a welcome home party held June 22 at Jonesport’s Community of Christ church. In late April, Sharon sustained a serious leg injury from an accident while the couple was cycling in Bermuda on a 40th wedding anniversary vacation. She was flown to Florida and eventually reached Portland by air ambulance, where she underwent multiple surgeries. She recently arrived home in Jonesport and was greeted by scores of well wishers last week with a buffet supper in the church she pastors.