by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Twelve Machias voters attended the town meeting held Tuesday, May 28, and approved a 2019/20 school budget of $5,302,588.68, an increase of $161,964.43, or 3.13 percent, over last year’s budget.

In the coming year, $2,090,708.57 in revenue will be contributed toward that budget via state subsidy, and $1,301,838.00 is projected in revenue from tuition students.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

This year’s edition of the Town of Machias Annual Report begins with a dedication to Warren Gay, Machias Board of Selectmen Chairman who died last year. The report speaks of Gay fondly, and recalls his 13 years of service on the board. “He could often be seen socializing on official business at the town office, riding his scooter through town, or working on vehicles for friends, family, or even strangers.”

by Jayna Smith

Police in Massachusetts are searching for a former Princeton, Maine woman.  Jacqueline “Jackie” Coutinho, age 53, was last seen on the morning of Wednesday, May 15 in Hinsdale, Massachusetts.  She had been spending time there with her sister for the last month.

Coutinho is described as a white female, approximately 5’ 6”, 130 pounds, with blonde and gray hair.  She was last seen wearing a purple and red sweater, blue jeans, and white sneakers.

by Wayne Smith

My father started dairy farming at his house in Jonesboro with about nine cows back in the 50s. He used stainless steel machines and put the milk in milk cans, and he had a cooler with water in it so that the milk wouldn't curdle. Every day, Shoppe’s Dairy in Machias would pick up the milk and bottle it over there. When he went in the service for two years, my grandfather and grandmother milked the cows. Every night, my grandmother washed the dishes.

by Joseph Horn

by Ruth Leubecker

As the wild blueberry industry continues to combat a severe economic downturn, a recent bill for expanding and diversifying the Wild Blueberry Commission offers hope for change.

by Hazel Stark

by Nancy Beal

The Moose-A-Bec Teachers Association (MTA) and the Union 103 school board (which oversees matters pertaining to all three schools in Jonesport and Beals) have been in contracts talks for over a year. Negotiating teams from each side have been through various levels of discussions — all unsuccessful — including a three-person fact-finding panel whose recommendations, delivered last month, favored the teachers but were rejected by the school board. Last week, it appeared that the two sides were approaching a compromise.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

This weekend Machias will celebrate its Revolutionary War history in a way no other town in the nation can.

“What a treasure we have here. So many of our historic reenactors, as well as many of the Wabanaki reenactors, are direct descendants of the actual heroes!” said Carlene Holmes. “Where else can you find such a historical reenactment? Williamsburg or Gettysburg, Plymouth?”

No.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

When Patti Sansing opened Whole Life Natural Market in 2003 it checked two boxes for her: it allowed Sansing and her family to move closer to their extended family, and it allowed her to share her knowledge of natural healing through the store’s products.

“I was studying to be a holistic nutritionist, but my family is from here so we used to come here all the time for vacations,” said Sansing. When the previous owner put the store up for sale, Sansing and her husband purchased it and moved to Machias.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

It was hot that June, more than 75 years ago. A young woman was about to graduate from Machias Memorial High School, so she and her two sisters made the long drive to Ellsworth for celebratory flowers. By the time they arrived back in Machias, all of their flowers were wilted. Having no other florist nearby, they asked their parents for help.

“Mr. and Mrs. Parlin had beautiful gardens, so they went to them and asked them if they could have some for graduation,” said Rhonda Reynolds.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Jim Jackson was elected to the Machias Board of Selectmen on Tuesday, June 11 with 50 votes. Jackson was the only candidate on the Machias ballot, having completed the town's election paperwork earlier in the spring. Both Ed Pellon and Bruce Smith ran write-in campaigns for the position. Pellon received 29 votes and Smith received 25 votes.