by Ruth Leubecker

Remembered for her Red Sleigh venture and always known for her eclectic forays into the community, Georgie Kendall last week reminisced about Christmases past. 

‘Tis the season for conjuring up those special times. “I used to help Gram Kendall gather brush and pine cones for wreaths,” she says. “Then we’d put the pine cones on a tinfoil pie plate under the woodstove to open them up. Gram would make and decorate those wreaths and send them to family and close friends from Maryland to Washington and Florida.”

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

A special town meeting was held Wednesday, Dec. 6 to gain voter approval for a grant application and expenditure of funds to improve the Machias Recreation Area, located at the crossroads of Fremont, Grove, Harwood and Salem Streets, between Route 1 and the Machias River. The facility currently includes tennis and basketball courts in need of repair, and the grant would allow the town to add a public playground. 

Care & Comfort, a leading provider of home health and behavioral healthcare, was recently recognized as one of Maine’s best employers for workers over the age of 50 for 2017 by the Maine State Workforce Investment Board’s Older Workers Committee.

 The Silver Collar Employers Award honors Maine employers whose policies and practices match the needs of mature employees, valuing their skills and experience, strong work ethic, flexibility, and enthusiasm.

My pro-snow tendencies are not a hit with everyone. When I start wishing for a winter storm, there are always one or two people who threaten to hold me personally accountable if that wish comes true. But I can’t help it, I absolutely love snow, and I will go on record now praying for a white Christmas. In my opinion, two green Christmases in a row are all we should have to endure here on the northeastern tip of the country. I’m counting on a couple of new storms to backfill this one so Santa has somewhere to set down his sleigh.

For more than a decade, the Hospice Foundation of America’s (HFA) educational events have been instrumental in educating healthcare professionals and families on issues affecting end-of-life care.

While the House and Senate reconcile their separate tax bills into a final version that Mainers will live with, the GOP repeatedly claims that large corporate and super-wealthy beneficiaries will reinvest their considerable tax savings in business expansions and increased job creation. Never in the history of our country have tax breaks led to the kind of economic expansion and job growth¹ that Mr. Trump and the GOP imagine. 

The Machias Memorial High School Alumni Association has been in existence for many years, but now is faltering due to lack of persons willing or able to serve as officers of the organization.

The United States House of Representatives recently passed a 440-page bill, in just two weeks, with the support of Representative Bruce Poliquin.  The November 16th issue of the Washington Post stated:

 “Big businesses win. The House bill cuts the top rate that large corporations pay from 35 percent to 20 percent, the biggest one-time drop in the big-business tax rate ever. It is a permanent change that does not expire.”

Wafting wood smoke and soft snow falling signal this special time of year. And if you’re lucky enough to have big windows looking out on birches and deer, you’re lucky enough.

One father’s letter to his daughter

Dear Tracy,

Over the last year more than 100 stray cats were spayed with the efforts of former Animal Control Officer Bob Seelye, myself and other concerned Machias residents.

Most of these cats were not wild, but simply former pets trying to survive on the streets after whatever sad story left them there. 

So why are there so many stray cats in Machias? Folks are not getting their cats spayed and neutered.

The Memorial Park looks good with the wreaths on stones for veterans for the holidays.

Washington Academy students helped Maine Veterans Project and Wallboard Supply Co. replace a roof for Byron Norton in Wesley on Friday, Dec. 8. They were able to finish the roof on Monday.

Snow started here in Wesley at 2 p.m. on Saturday. The first snow of the season, about six inches.

Maddy and Jenn were in Ellsworth in both their vehicles to get their oil changed before the snow started there.

As Jimmy Stewart said “It’s A Wonderful Life”...and this year at the Whitneyville Public Library it sure is a wonderful life.  2017 has been a year of wonderful surprises as dreams have be realized.  As we celebrate the wonderful holidays we give thanks to everyone that helped support us in all that we do and will continue to do in 2018.

University of Maine Cooperative Extension is offering beginning beekeeping courses in Calais, beginning Jan. 23, and in Machias on Jan. 24. The Calais session will be held at Washington County Community College, 1 College Drive, 6:30-8:30 p.m., through Feb. 20. The Machias session will be held at University of Maine at Machias,

​9 O’Brien Avenue, from 7-9 p.m., through Feb. 21.

Last week I had the pleasure of eavesdropping on a group of local high school freshmen who were discussing the day’s current events. The chief topic of conversation was the repeal of net neutrality, accomplished by a vote of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) last Thursday. Not only were the students broadly informed on the issue — a complex one even by adult standards — some of them had taken action to voice their concern over the repeal via calls and emails to representatives in Washington, D.C. And think of it —  teens socializing by discussing current events! 

by Nancy Beal

Beals Island had no bridge to the mainland until 1958, so for four sisters born in the 1940s, Christmas was not about department stores, cultivated trees, or fancy light displays. It was simple, family-oriented and religious. “We were taught that it was Jesus’ birthday,” says Vanessa, next to the oldest. The family started the day by going to church and taking part in the traditional Christmas concert, singing noels and speaking their “pieces.”

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

In the pre-dawn hours of Thursday, Dec. 14, phones rang and text messages beeped notifying Machias families that school was cancelled due to another threat against the elementary and high school campus. It was the fourth school day lost to threats since October.

“My first 13 years in Machias, we didn’t have any. Not one,” said Superintendent Scott Porter. “It just started up last year and this year.”

Beals Elementary School students put on their annual Christmas concert Dec. 14, ending with an audience sing-along that got both singers and teachers dancing. The program was directed by BES music teacher Elizabeth Goodliff. Photo by Nancy Beal

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Trisha Murphy works as a waitress at Denny’s in Ellsworth, and this week she received a tip that raised her eyebrows. She told her story on Facebook in a post which has gone viral around the region with more than 437 shares in the first 24 hours, a number which will surely climb.

When Murphy granted permission to reprint her story, she said she wishes she could find the customer’s name. “I’d love to make him famous for literally saving my Christmas!” she said.

Here is the story, in her words.

U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King participated in the Wreaths Across America capitol wreath laying ceremony this morning in Washington. Beginning in 2007, and each December since, wreaths Across America, based out of Columbia Falls, Maine, has placed a remembrance Wreath at the U.S. Capitol Building. The wreath laid at the U.S. Capitol is adorned with flags representing each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces and POWs/MIAs, and it is decorated with a red bow.

Licensed amateur (HAM) radio operators can talk with astronauts on the

International Space Station, use the latest digital communication modes, bounce signals off of the Moon, and chat with other hams on the other side of the world without having to use the Internet. Even though Morse code is no longer required, many new and seasoned hams still favor that oldest of ham radio modes. Did you know that the amateur radio community even has a fleet of communications satellites in orbit? It is true.

There is still time to study for the entry-level examination called the

St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church,  Dublin Hill, Machias. Services, 9 a.m. April through November; 9:30 a.m. December through March. FMI: 207-259-3328 or staidansmachias.org.

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Beals Wesleyan Church, Elm Street, Beals. 10 a.m. Sunday school; 11 a.m. worship; 6 p.m. evangelistic hour. Wednesday 6 p.m. prayer time. Pastor Nick Wilson, 207-497-2262 or 207-530-0567.

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Dale Sidney Coffin, 53, passed away December 8 after a long battle with brain cancer. He was born September 28, 1964.

A good soul with a kind spirit, Dale was a beloved member of his community. He had a deep connection to the ocean and worked on the stern of many boats from Bucks Harbor. He had a passion for freshwater fishing and ice fishing and had many stories to share about his adventures. He was funny and strong and his jovial aspect will be greatly missed.

Sherry A. Mills 78,went to be with her Lord on December 11, 2017. She passed away peacefully with her loving family by her side. She was born in Trescott, May 21, 1939, the daughter of Adelbert, Sr. and Esther (Laslie) Theriault. 

All farmers are invited to a panel discussion and networking event about farming in a new weather reality 1:50–4 p.m. Jan. 9 in the Hancock Room of the Augusta Civic Center, 76 Community Drive.

Eric H. Hoche of Dennysville, Maine: Operate ATV on public way on May 20, 2017 in Dennysville. SNTC Date 8/18/2017, Fine $100. OFC.

Robbie Smith Webber of Orono, Maine: Violating municipal shellfish ordinance on July 5, 2017 in Harrington. SNTC Date 8/8/2017, Fine $300. OFC.

Pictured is the Machias JHS boys’ basketball team. – Members include front l-r: Brady Hatt, Gaven Bixler, Ethan Libby, Alex Cox, and Andon Wood. Back left - right: Coach Bob Sinford, Gavin Reece, Jayden Rhodes, Ethan Foss, Kyle Anderson, Jackson Bunker, and Brandon Godfrey.

Andon Wood uses a nice head fake to beat the defense

by Phil Stuart

The University of Maine at Machias women’s basketball team has gotten into the competitive part of their schedule and have now lost their last four contests since edging the University of Maine at Presque Isle on November 19th.

On November 28th, Troy Alley’s club journeyed to Augusta for a match-up with the talented Lady Moose. The hosts got out in front early and never looked back.

UMA led 43-26 at the break and went on to post an 80-50 win.

Attorney General Janet Mills and 17 other Attorneys General wrote to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) asking the Commission to delay its rulemaking deadline because of falsified comments made to the FCC. “A careful review of the publicly available information revealed a pattern of fake submissions using the names of real people. In fact, there may be over one million fake submissions from across the country. This is akin to identity theft on a massive scale - and theft of someone’s voice in a democracy is particularly concerning,” wrote the Attorneys General.

Next up on the drawing table of the Beehive Design Collective is a new print called Wreathmaker’s Hands, scheduled to coming out in the new year. The Beehive Design Collective printed extra posters of earlier prints in the series, and gave out free copies to local patrons who wanted to give the print to someone who digs clams for a living.

Upcoming events

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, Sunday, December 24 at 4:30 p.m. - East Machias Congregational Church. Pastor Edwin Randall, Special Vocalist/Suprano Jennifer Randall. All are welcome. 

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Please post the the Marshfield Congregational Church Christmas Eve service will be at 6 p.m., December 24 at the church on Church Lane in Marshfield.

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by Phil Stuart

The Hoops for Health basketball tournament was another huge success for the second year in a row.

The two-day tournament held on Dec. 1-2 featured the boys and girls teams from Narraguagus High School, Jonesport-Beals High School, Machias Memorial High School and Washington Academy. The tourney featured four games on both Friday and Saturday with excellent attendance.

The tournament raised $13,000 dollars for the Downeast Community Hospital’s Obstetrics Department.

by Phil Stuart

There is a lot more to the game of basketball than the actual game itself. Things change every year, such as coaches, players and fans. If you are lucky enough to get a dedicated coach that is willing to put the time and effort into building a program, it is important that the school and community is behind him or her.