“Scientific Illustrations,” an exhibit of new work by Margaret La Farge, will be displayed in the Art Gallery at the University of Maine at Machias through the month of December. The gallery is located in Powers Hall and is open to the public from 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday–Thursday and noon–5 p.m. on Fridays. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact 207.255.1200.

Featuring exquisite black-and-white renderings of wildlife and plants, the series showcases La Farge’s painstaking attention to detail and heartfelt appreciation for the natural world.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

An alleged horse trailer business operating under the name Equine Station LLC lists its United States Inventory address as 36 Broadway, Machias, and responds to customer inquiries stating it ships from Machias zip code 04654. However, there is no such address, and the state of Maine has no record of a business by that name.

by Nancy Beal

To a lecture hall of approximately 40 faculty, students and administrators last week, University of Maine System (UMS) Chancellor Dannel Malloy brought a proposed structure he called “unified accreditation” of the flagship university in Orono and the seven satellite campuses located from Portland to Fort Kent. His audience included UMM President Joan Ferrini-Mundy and Head of Campus Daniel Qualls, as well as a handful of skeptics whose questions he encouraged following his presentation.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Sixteen people attended a public hearing to gather feedback on an ordinance that, if adopted by Machias voters, would govern sales of adult use marijuana. The meeting took place on Thursday, Oct. 24.

Chairman Joshua Rolfe said the Machias Board of Selectmen convened the hearing to gather feedback on three specific questions: should the town limit the number of adult use marijuana shops, should the town limit where shops can locate, and how much to charge for permit fees.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

A trailer carrying a barge bottomed out on Elm Street in Machias, closing the road to traffic for 24 hours starting Monday, Oct. 21. But the sequence of events that led to the road closure began much earlier when Hurricane Dorian laid waste to the Bahamas on September 1.

Regarded as the worst natural disaster in the history of the island nation, Dorian hit with winds topping 185 miles per hour, killing more than 60 and leveling a home built there by Clay Thomas of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

by Ronie Strout

Sunday afternoon, October 20, neighbors Dick and Sherry Paul had a gathering with friends for an apple cider event. Lots of apples and lots of cider was made for everyone to take home.

The phys ed class took their last canoeing and kayaking class for the year on Tuesday, Oct. 22. Now they will do some hiking if the weather stays good.
I finally got my lawn mowed for the last time this season. Looks neat and hopefully, I won’t have to mow again till June next year.

Noah Carver, son of Buzz and Suzanne Carver of Beals Island, was selected to be a member of the Honors Performance Series which will perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City.  The Series is a group comprised of high school music students who will come together in New York to perform, tour the city, and attend a Broadway play of their choice.  

At its annual state conference held Oct. 19, the Maine Press Association recognized the Machias Valley News Observer with nine writing and photography awards. MVNO sister paper, the Calais Advertiser, won four awards, including one for General Excellence in Advertising.

The awards were presented Saturday night at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Portland, concluding a day of workshops and networking for reporters and photographers, journalists, advertising staff, and designers throughout the state.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Working together, multiple Machias-area organizations have created a wealth of fun Halloween activities for both children and adults, most queued up to take place on the weekend before Halloween.

Trick or Treat Main Street occupies the flagship event position for children, ranking second only to Christmas in the Machias Kids’ Calendar of Fun.

by Nancy Beal

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

The town of Machias has hired a new police chief and the public is invited to attend an open house to meet Chief Todd Hand and make him feel welcome to the area.
Light refreshments will be served.

by Ruth Leubecker

Child abuse and neglect have undoubtedly always been a sad fact of life. But in 2019 two individuals brought the crime front and center. Each is now serving lengthy prison sentences as Maine’s child welfare system reels from its revealed crisis in operation.

by Nancy Beal

by Nancy Beal

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Machias Board of Selectmen Chairman Joshua Rolfe opened last week’s bi-monthly meeting by calling to open bids for a new school stove. Town manager Christina Therrien’s response moved the meeting quickly onto item number two.

“There were no bids received,” she said.

Dr. Mark Brown returned to the board to offer a suggestion for how the town can generate electricity to light downtown public areas, especially Bad Little Falls Park, while adding historic character to the Machias riverfront.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

For the fourth time in almost 25 years, Mike Burke of Northern Fire Equipment handed a set of keys over to the Machiasport Fire Department.

“When was the first time we bought a truck from you?” asked Machiasport Selectman and Firefighter Mike Hinerman.

“It was 1995,” said Burke, who made the delivery from his company’s headquarters in Watertown, New York.

by Ronie Strout

On Sunday, October 6th I ventured forth to Ellsworth early in the morning to take the Chainsaw Safety Course at the Great Maine Lumberjack Show on the Bar Harbor Road in Trenton, taught by Timber Tina and Michelle M. Braley. Ten ladies were there to take this course, and we learned a lot. We learned how to take the saw apart and take the chain off and put it back on, we learned how to sharpen the chain and to make sure it was tight enough and not loose.

The Peabody Memorial Library in Jonesport will host a Down East Photography Group (DEPG) photo exhibition that will run during the month of October.

The Down East Photography Group was founded by a half dozen local photographers interested in creating a supportive environment for sharing knowledge and networking for all photographers, regardless of skill level and experience.

by Nancy Beal

Palliative care, a medical specialty that focuses on improving the quality of life for those with serious illnesses, was the subject of the twelfth annual Washington County Cancer Conference held in Machias on October 4. According to the definition presented by conference speakers, palliative care “emphasizes pain and symptom management, counseling for patients and families, support for patients making decisions about their treatment and goals of care, and care coordination.”

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Maine newcomer Dr. Todd Landry has weathered the transition from southern summers to northern winters before. His 20-plus year career working with children and families has taken him in and out of Texas several times, including two years spent as the head of Nebraska’s Division of Children and Family Services.

“A few folks have asked, ‘Are you sure about winters in Maine?’’ said Landry. “But my wife and I joke that we know the first winter is usually the hardest, then it gets better after that.”

by Peter Duston

Scouting proved alive and well at the 57th International Camporee held at Cobscook State Park on Saturday, Sept. 28, when 130 scouts and leaders from the United States and Canada gathered, camped, played, and demonstrated outdoor skills under the open skies of Downeast Maine.