I’ve always enjoyed the contrast between the rural, small-town nature of Washington County and the hustle and bustle of activity that takes place just below its surface. Visitors often miss it if they don’t know where to look. Locals can miss it, too.

Myriad sites on Facebook work to keep those of us on social media up-to-speed on events. And of course, this paper aims to keep us all informed as well. Until I worked here, I don’t think I fully appreciated how much music happens in Washington County.

While much of the post-shutdown chatter centered around a 1.5% tax hike on lodging – that was scrapped in the final product – Maine fishermen also saw a huge tax on their livelihood stuffed into the proverbial bait pocket.

 “Our fishermen work extremely hard to provide for their families,” Rep. Will Tuell (R-East Machias) said. “Whether they dig clams, scallop, lobster, wrinkle or urchin, the men and women who depend on our marine resources for their livelihoods have to be extremely thankful that they will not be seeing a sharp increase in their license fees this year.”

by Ruth Leubecker

Forty years has wrought much change in language usage and words in general. Just looking at this little red squiggly line under “wordniks” tells me it’s probably not even recognized as a word any more. But it sure was 40 years ago when this writer loved the words of William Safire.

Mark Eves has officially declared his candidacy for governor of Maine in the 2018 election.

 Eves made the announcement in a broadcast on Facebook from a backyard BBQ at his home in North Berwick, where he was joined by more than 150 family members, friends, and supporters.

With the first regular session of the 128th Legislature coming to a close in the very near future, Representative Will Tuell (R-East Machias) took a few minutes last week to review some of the issues he and fellow Washington County legislators on the Marine Resources Committee dealt with this past winter and spring.

Harrington

We have been over to Ralph’s to give him some trout. I tried to get pictures of his beautiful garden.  The sun was so bright, but we got at least two. One is Ralph standing the rows.This is the only time I wished it to be cloudy.  His garden is so beautiful, and he does all the planting, weeding, and watering if needed.  He uses horse manure from here and says that is why he had such good luck. He is a wonderful friend and gardener.

The July 24 meeting of the Machiasport Historical Society will feature a concert by “From Away Down East”, America’s easternmost sea chantey group.  The group will present a program of historic songs about Maine Woods and Waters: songs about lumbermen, river drives, fishing and working and sailing on the coastal waters. 

by Nancy Beal

Nichole Gulowsen is the featured artist in the latest art show at Jonesport’s Peabody Memorial Library entitled “Artists of the Moosabec,” which opened July 15. Gulowsen is the daughter of art committee chairman and Charlene Nelson, a renowned Jonesport bird carver whose late husband, Robert, introduced Nichole to bird carving at the age of 10 after which she went on to win numerous awards for her carvings.

Annie B. White, a native of Jonesboro who now resides at Changing Tides Residential Care Facility in Harrington, has been busy sewing and stuffing felt “Bridges” hearts. 

The Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital & Health Center is a pediatric hospital located in Tacoma, Washington where the red velvet hearts were originally handed out to children in the cardiac support group. Over the years, this practice has expanded to include many hospitals worldwide. 

In March, the life of United States Marine Corps SGT. James “Jimmy” LaPrade was cut short as he was making the transition from military life to civilian life. Ruth Moore (USN) learned that he had a personal goal in life—to climb to the summit of Mount Katahdin. Moore is the founder of the Washington County veteran services organization, INTERNITY.