by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Gayle and Gary Nochajski paused for a moment to stick a pin in the U.S. map hanging outside Centre Street Congregational Church, marking their hometown of North Collins, New York. A friendly stranger from South Addison said they should visit the Machias Wild Blueberry Festival on their visit Downeast, and they were glad they did.

“People are great here. They’re so open and friendly,” said Gary Nochajski. “It’s been fantastic, what a great trip.”