by Ruth Leubecker

Successful aging, home options and reimagining long-term care are relevant segments offered at the 13th Annual Geriatrics Colloquium in Orono on October 12. 

The all-encompassing, full-day session at the Wells Conference Center covers a wealth of topics relevant to everyday life in Washington County. Thriving in place has special significance to a demographic where 34 percent of those receiving services at Eastport Health Center are at least 65; where 50 Mainers turn 65 every day; where by 2020 one in five Mainers will be over 65. 

The 5th Annual Machias Harvest Fair and its new companion, the Machias Fiber Festival, are set to celebrate the delights of a Downeast autumn on Saturday, Sept. 15.

The annual harvest fair hosts 30+ vendors of locally made, grown and created fine products. There will be farmers, quilters, stained glass, woodworkers and more. This year, cooks can enter the Chili Contest and the confident among us should try their powers of bird persuasion in the first annual Seagull Calling Contest. There will be live music and a kids activity area. Admission is free. 

by Nancy Beal

Jonesport Avenue: public or private? That was the issue brought to selectmen August 29 by Charles Look who, with his brother Ed, owns and operates a seafood business at what was originally a sardine factory on Moosabec Reach east of the Beals Island Bridge. A recent code violation for an unpermitted paved path and doorstep to a building he had recently built alerted him that the loop road, that he had always assumed was a private way owned by him and his brother, was considered a town road where construction was bound by town ordinances.

by Charles W, Lightner, Friend of Porter Memorial Library

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

The Machias Bay Harvest Fair is celebrating its fifth birthday this year, staying true to its roots as a family celebration while adding a few new attractions for good measure.

Healthy Acadia will host its annual “A Dash of Color” 5K Fun Run/Walk on the morning of the Machias Harvest and Fiber Festivals, Saturday, Sept. 15. The non-competitive run/walk will start and finish at the Rose M. Gaffney School in Machias. Registration opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 8:45 a.m.; the run/walk will start promptly at 9 a.m. Event proceeds will benefit Healthy Acadia’s Down East Teen Leadership Camp and local initiatives focused on substance education, prevention, support and recovery. 

by Wayne Smith

by Nancy Beal

Billy Milliken said in last week’s board meeting that he had finally received a response from Down East Community Hospital to the town’s request for the former Sunrise Care Facility building and the beds that were in it. (Besides being a Jonesport selectman, Milliken chairs the board of the Arnold Memorial Medical Center, which is eyed as the ultimate recipient of SCF.)

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

At an extra meeting held Wednesday, Sept. 5 the Machias Board of Selectmen began with a moment of silence in honor of Warren Gay who passed away in Machias on Aug. 29. Gay served on the board since 2005, and spent many years as the board chairman.

The board also reviewed quotes for a new replacement trash compactor. The town’s previous compactor is broken beyond repair.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

A 2 a.m. emergency phone call reported smoke on Route 1 in East Machias on Tuesday, Sept. 11. When fire crews arrived to the Stone Soup Cafe and Market only minutes later, the back of the structure was already fully engulfed.

“There was no interior attack because by the time we got there and got water on it, shortly after it was what we call ‘flashed over,’” said East Machias Fire Chief Jack Gardner.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Kristian Crowley of Jonesport and Machias is currently being held at the Washington County jail in Machias. Bail was initially set at $25,000, then reduced to $3,000 cash or $30,000 surety on Tuesday, Sept. 12. Crowley was previously on probation and therefore remains at the jail. His attorney is Jeffrey Davidson of Machias.

State Police arrested Crowley on Tuesday, Sept. 11 and charged him with unlawful traffickig of scheduled drugs.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon 

A 2 a.m. emergency phone call reported smoke on Route 1 in East Machias on Tuesday, Sept. 11. When fire crews arrived to the Stone Soup Cafe and Market only minutes later, the back of the structure was already fully engulfed. 

“There was no interior attack because by the time we got there and got water on it, shortly after it was what we call ‘flashed over,’” said East Machias Fire Chief Jack Gardner.

by Lura Jackson

by Nancy Beal

by Nancy Beal

In 2018, Jonesport’s Peabody Memorial Library offered birdhouses to school students who decorated them and returned them to the library where they were (silently) auctioned off. In 2019, it will be miniature paddles with which the Art in the Library committee hopes to pad their coffers.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

 Dr. Andy Egan’s bags are unpacked, he’s over his jet lag and he’s hard at work on his top priority — gathering his community’s input, both on campus and off. 

Two months ago Egan arrived in Machias fresh from a tour with the Peace Corps in Liberia to assume his new role as vice president and head of campus at the University of Maine at Machias.

by Ruth Leubecker

Power splits in the upcoming election have focused on the effects of term limits and key seats, but little attention given to incumbent Joyce Maker’s decision not to run.

The popular legislator from Calais, in deciding to step down, has Christina Therrien, Machias town manager, and Marianne Moore, former Calais mayor, vying for the spot. Therrien, a Democrat, and Moore, a Republican, are both strong and accomplished civic leaders. 

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

A public auction set for Sept. 28-29 in Machias will close a 20-year period when Main Street Discount occupied a central position in downtown Machias. The public may enter the building to inspect the auction items beginning at 8 a.m. each day, with the actual auction starting at 9:30. The auctioneer is Melissa Wells. Machias Savings Bank has purchased the property.

by Camille Hawkins

I went to my granddaughter Maddy's volleyball game at Machias High School on Saturday afternoon. It was a good game against Bucksport.

Linda and I made a pineapple cream cake for Becky's birthday at Bear Camp. We had a great time. One of the bear hunters has a birthday and we're making a chocolate cake for his birthday on Thursday night.

I let three more male monarch butterflies go the last couple of days, there is one left to go. The monarchs are making a comeback, which is great.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Grab a hay bale and start sketching plans for your award-winning scarecrow because October is going to be the month Machias shows off its community pride with the annual scarecrow contest.

“We want them on lawns, we want them on light poles, windows, we want those everywhere, so that people will come to Machias to see them!” said Machias Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Director Sharon Mack.