Hannah Sprague recently returned from three weeks spent in the Philippines serving with Medical Missions International and Inspire Hope Ministries. While there, Sprague assisted medical teams serving in the region and brought her camera with her to use in her spare time. Sprague is the owner of Mainely Moments Photography & Videography, based in Machias. Here she shares a little bit about her experiences, in her own words.

Cherryfield Academy Community Center will be having its Annual Quilt Show and Artisan Fair on May 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The center is located at 53 Main Street in Cherryfield.

Artisans will have some wonderful items for you to purchase and some will do some demos throughout the day. Each artisan will contribute one of their items to the Grand Prize Basket, which you can enter to win at $1/ticket.

On Saturday, March 30 at noon The Grand's season of high-definition simulcasts from The New York Metropolitan Opera continues with one of the most challenging pieces in the repertoire, Richard Wagner’s Die Walküre.  

A group of 13 gathered at Eastport Arts Center for two four-hour Saturday sessions, March 2 and 9, to explore block printing on fabric with Susan Lehnen, an artist and educator who lives in Perry. The first meeting included a lesson in the traditional techniques and symbolism of adinkra cloth, a hand-printed fabric developed by the Ashanti people in Ghana. Workshop participants then began developing their own symbolic stamps, cutting designs into linoleum mounted on PVC plastic plates and making their first efforts at printing the stamps.

by Nancy Beal

Last month, a bill to expand Maine’s Wild Blueberry Commission (WBC), crafted by small wild blueberry growers, was brought forth in Maine’s legislature and heard at a hearing on February 5 (MVNO February 13, 2019). It would add two grower seats on the present eight-member WBC, bringing grower seats into parity with those of processors: five of each. The grower seats would be designated for organic growers, those who add value before selling and those who sell fresh pack, those involved in co-operatives and Native American growers.

by Ruth Leubecker

Leading the charge, whether banking reform or prescription cost transparency, Sen. Susan Collins is an increasing presence for change that can be measurable.

The Revolutionary War Reenactors of Downeast Maine will be holding their next meeting on Monday, March 25, at 5:30 p.m., at the Machias Valley Baptist Church.  The meeting will be open to anyone interested in learning about reenacting for Margaretta Days, the Battle of the Rim, or any other event.

Come by and question our reenactors, learn how to create a persona, or just learn a bit of the history of the Machias Patriots and their Native Allies, during the American Revolution.

Ten years ago Josiah Brown began his passion for wrestling with Washington Academy Youth Wrestling. Today, Josiah holds two 2019 championship titles. Early February, Josiah earned the Penobscot Valley Conference (PVC) Championship title in the 182-pound weight class and was voted Outstanding Wrestler of the Meet by conference coaches. A week later he went on to become the Northern Maine Regional Champion at the Northern Maine Regional Wrestling Championship held at Ellsworth High School. Josiah has been preparing for these titles since he was in third grade.

U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) commended the work of the men and women in Maine’s fishing industry at the Maine Fishermen's Forum in Rockport last week, listening first-hand to the priorities and concerns of Maine fishermen from around the state.

by Wayne Smith

To the most beautiful person in the world. We made 15 years together without killing each other. There’s been ups and downs, twists and turns. Memories built up enough to build a castle that we have dreams about living in one day if we win the lottery. We don’t have much, yet we have each other. And that’s all that matters. Robin, you always have put a smile on my face with your dry humor. You have guided me through the best and worst of times, the times when on a trip and times we never wanted to come home to face the housework.

Washington Academy National Honor Society students Ryan Conley and Mikaila Loughlin recently visited The Ark Animal Shelter in Cherryfield to photograph shelter cats in the hopes of raising the chances to find their “forever home.” The resulting photos and campaign comprise their National Honor Society service project.

They call their campaign, “Happy St. Catty’s Day, Help Us Get Lucky!” Conley said some of these cats have been in the shelter for more than a year. To find out how you can adopt one, call The Ark at 207-546-3484.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

The East Machias Board of Selectmen voted Friday, March 8 to authorize the demolition and removal of debris from a fire that destroyed Stone Soup Cafe and Market on Sept. 11, 2018.  Selectmen Bucket Davis, Will Tuell and Dale Richardson were all in attendance at the Friday morning meeting.

The demolition is expected to take place on Monday, March 11. The Stone Soup property is located along Route 1 in East Machias.

The Machias and Marshfield Fire Departments will be the beneficiaries of a special Pop-Up sale, to be held at Bags O Rags on 15 Main Street. One hundred percent of the proceeds will be used towards the purchase of a special washer and dryer for first responder's turnout gear, designed to significantly reduce cancer-causing contaminants that cling to their clothing after a fire.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

A two-year joint effort to find funding to rehabilitate the Machias Recreation Area has proven successful.

by Nancy Beal

A dozen Jonesporters braved the cold last week (February 27) to attend a public hearing on a proposed medical marijuana ordinance that will be formally voted upon at next week’s town meeting (March 11). (A description of the ordinance appeared in the MVNO of Feb. 20, 2019.) After an hour of discussion, the only changes proposed and accepted in hand votes were lowering of certain fees and clarification of terms.

Beals Elementary School students in fifth through eighth grades are currently preparing for a visit in April from author Sophie Blackall. Blackall's book, "Hello Lighthouse,” recently won the Caldecott Medal.

On Monday, March 18 at 6:30 p.m. the Beals Historical Society will proudly host BES students as they present their Lighthouse projects at the Beals gym.  

by the St. Croix Historical Society

Among the most iconic law enforcement figures in the living memory of the Calais and greater Maine community is State Trooper Francis “Bull” Powers. Known for his size as much as his demeanor, Powers served the area well with his particular approach to justice until 1964.

by Ruth Leubecker

Noncommittal about future plans but still dealing with the loss of his 2nd District congressional seat, Bruce Poliquin arrived in town to greet friends and touch base.