by Sen. Angus King 

 Shortly after President George W. Bush signed the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, just as the “Bush tax cuts” were kicking in for many Americans, I took a trip to a hardware store in Brunswick. I can’t remember the exact year (likely 2003 or 2004), and I can’t remember the purchase that prompted the trip. But what I do remember - like it was yesterday - is the conversation I had with the clerk who rang me up.

Monday, Oct. 23 was the fourth day of work for area volunteer firefighters and Maine Forest Service battling a fire in the woods of Marshfield. The men and women firefighters have gone back day after day, exhausted but still lugging thousands of pounds of hoses and gear through the forest and up hilly terrain. The sheer physicality of the work is amazing. We thank them for their service, and have that full story on page 1. The National Weather Service is predicting a heavy, soaking rain for us this week, and we are in sore need of it.

Dear Editor,

I serve as legal counsel for INTERNITY, an organization dedicated to and advocating for Maine’s veterans. I am writing to clear up some misperceptions about our organization’s former relationship with Maine Veteran’s Project. It seems that there are a few misconceptions which are being fostered in the community, and speaking for the Board and the founder of INTERNITY, I want to help allay these misperceptions.

Hunting season brings forth a handful of the old woodsy tales of yore, always embellished and involving a game warden or two.

None are as embedded in folklore or repeated as often as the experiences of George Magoon, immortalized in Edward Ives’ history George Magoon and the Down East Game War.

To any Jacksonville native, just to turn that first page or two and see a book dedicated to Lewis Lund and Clarence Berry causes a significant pause to ponder about exactly what comes next.

Cobscook Friends Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) endorses the effort to extend Medicaid more than 70,000 low income Maine citizens who do not have health coverage.

We believe that it is our responsibility, as a caring nation, to provide access to adequate health care for the poor and sick among us. Over 66,000 Maine registered voters petitioned to have Medicaid Expansion on the Nov. 7 ballot.

Medicare’s Open Enrollment period is now underway and it is important to remember that this is the only time of year when Medicare beneficiaries can make changes to their coverage.  The Medicare Open Enrollment period began on October 15th and Mainers currently on Medicare have until December 7th to add, drop or change prescription drug and health care plans for 2018.  It is a good idea for all Medicare beneficiaries to review their options each year during open enrollment. 

Please join the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry at the Augusta Civic Center, January 9 - 11, 2018, as we celebrate year 77 of the Maine Agricultural Trades Show. Our 2018 show title “Maine Agriculture: Exploring Connections”  emphasizes the growth of our local markets, quality of our farms and products, and the value we place in sustainability for the future of Maine agriculture. The Agricultural Trades Show is an educational experience and the place to connect and build opportunities.

A row of milkweed plants forms a lovely and fitting border along the front of the Machias Valley Grange. The Grange is maintained by the Beehive Design Collective, and milkweed is a critical component in the lifecycle of the monarch butterfly, an important North American pollinator. Monarchs have become increasingly rare due to the destruction of their southern habitat and destruction of milkweed plants, once considered a spreading nuisance in fields and gardens.

Upcoming events

Porter Memorial Library Board of Trustees Meeting—Wednesday, October 25 at 5 p.m. on 92 Court Street, Machias ME 04654

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by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

When Kevin and Jeanne McEwan relocated to Machias last year, one of the first things they did was scout out the local soccer programs. “We raised three boys in Utah that were very involved in soccer,” said Kevin McEwan. “We thought, we couldn’t live without soccer!”