UMM’s Community Chorale under the direction of Prof. Gene Nichols will present their spring concert on May 1 in the Performing Arts Center. Accompanied by pianist Lee Downing, the program will include the works of Bach, Billings Orff, Brahms and an original piece, “Winter in Maine,” written by Judy Armstrong of Machias. Members of the chorale are Marge Ahlin, Judy Armstrong, Kate Atkinson, Brian Beal, Gloria Bodman, Gerr Durant, Chris Guy, Doug Guy, Beth Goodliff, Kate Jumper, George McBride, Lora Mills, Joy Richardson, Joseph Shaw and Bill Wadsworth.

Upcoming events

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April Vacation Arts Camp, ‘Escape to Polynesia,’ April 17-19, 10 a.m.-noon, for ages 6-13. Space limited, email [email protected]. Eastport Arts Center.

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“Vermicomposting at Home” Build a small-scale worm garage! Ages 6-12. Friday, April 20, 11 a.m. - noon. Please pre-register with Tara at 207-255-3345 to reserve a spot.

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Living near the ocean can be harrowing at times, none more so than when you find yourself parking next to a shark at the local elementary school. Shark experts suggest avoiding eye contact and parking very slowly.

Rose M. Gaffney second-grader and resident shark expert Sam Allen (pictured) said that his favorite kind of shark is the megalodon. Fortunately for local drivers, megalodons are notoriously difficult to fit into sedans.  Photo by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Nothing succeeds like success. The Bold Coast Sea & Sky Planning Committee is looking for more volunteers for its July 20 and 21 festival. Last year saw almost a doubling of the participants in the festival over the opening year in 2016.

The festival, entering its third year, is getting its start through the inspiration of Bill Burke, owner of the Pat’s Pizza restaurant here in Machias. The Rotary Club of Machias is a co-organizer. 

A dinner followed by a dessert auction to benefit Arise Addiction Recovery will be held on Saturday, May 5. 

Donations for admission will benefit the Machias-based men’s residential recovery center. The event will be held at Elm Street School in East Machias from 5-7 p.m.

We hope you will join us and consider making a dessert to be auctioned. Contact Jen and Wayne Wood, 263-7891. It is always a good time!

Mark your calendars and join the Downeast Salmon Federation for a day of fisheries fun!  Over the years, these festivities have grown from a small community potluck centered on the commercial smelt harvest to a well-known regional event serving 500+ guests. This year the event will be held on Saturday, April 21 from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Throughout downtown Columbia Falls, there will be activities and displays that feature the inspiring fisheries and conservation work of DSF and their partners.

A free public Earth Day celebration will be held in the Performing Arts Center at the

University of Maine at Machias on Saturday, April 21 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The event will begin with an opening lecture by Dr. David Goodrich, a retired distinguished climate scientist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration (NOAA) and Director of the United Nations Global Climate Observing System.

Machias selectboard ballot finalized

The deadline to declare candidacy for a seat on the Machias Selectboard passed on Friday, April 13, and four candidates have their hats in the ring for two seats. Selectboard vice chairman Joshua Rolfe is running as an incumbent, as is selectman Leslie Haynes. Former selectman Dr. James Whalen has declared his candidacy, as has Nicholas “Crowsneck” Boutin of Machias.

Summer-long road project commences on Elm Street

by Ruth Leubecker

A month on the job but eager to learn, Lily Calderwood is visiting wild blueberry growers, assessing market diversification and “right now trying to take first steps.”

With a PhD in horticulture from the University of Vermont and a couple of years at the Cornell Cooperative Extension Service, she was hired as the designated replacement of Dave Yarborough, longtime blueberry specialist at the Maine Cooperative Extension Service.

A Hypocrite on the balanced budget 

Bruce Poliquin’s web site says he is urging his colleagues in Congress to vote for a constitutional amendment requiring a Federal Balanced Budget.  He points out this is an amendment which he himself signed as a cosponsor during his first week in Congress in 2015.  He states this is a necessary amendment to “… ensure a financially sustainable future for our Nation.”