A Postcard from Washington County

YOUR WEEKLY POSTCARD FROM WASHINGTON COUNTY, MAINE

A moment of summery visual calm seen during an interview with the artist Ellie Carbone.

RAIN, FESTIVAL, RAIN| June 20, 2023

The rain held off last Saturday, a mercy for the dozens of craft vendors set up for the 17th Annual Margaretta Days Festival, which kicked off on Friday night. And it kicked off in a big, loud way, complete with cannons and shotguns and more than 200 pizza-eating spectators lining the field as the Machias patriots reenacted their defeat of the British Royal Navy, except on dry land.

The festival weekend is timed to fall near the anniversary of the 1775 Battle of the Margaretta, which is widely (though not universally) considered the first naval battle of the American Revolution. Naturally, most local sons and daughters want to play the patriots in the reenactments, not only because they’re the good guys but because many are direct descendants of those who fought in the actual battle. So, being from away, my husband and son cheerfully help round out the ranks of the redcoats, which is good fun for me and, I think, a lark for them, too.

Despite pouring rain on Saturday evening, almost 200 people attended the 1st Annual Machias Liberty Ball organized by the fun-loving Melissa Hinerman, who has also brought a successful ball back to the Machias Wild Blueberry Festival, which this year runs from August 18-20. Music provided by Hunt & Allison kept modern feet moving to 18th-century dance moves, and it was great fun.

While there, I met a young family from Iowa, traveling through Washington County on a driving tour of Maine. They had stumbled onto the event and left glowing with the possibility of moving Way Downeast in the next few years. Here, many, but by no means all, of the costumed dancers posed for a serious photo, then this silly one, my favorite.

This fun photo was staged by Photography by Offthetrail, a Washington County photography business.

Today, Tuesday, June 20, the Machias Memorial High School Lady Bulldogs carry with them the pride and support of the whole county as they go off to compete in the Class D state championship softball game. I’m in Bangor, but back in Machias, they’ll be enjoying a spirited sendoff to the game and, later, an even more spirited motorcade to welcome them home, win or lose. These young ladies have made it farther than any other Machias softball team in school history.

Despite the pervasive cool and grey weather — one friend dubbed it Junuary —driving around Washington County this week is a pleasure as lupine season is in full swing, with outrageous swaths of purple, pinks, and — my favorite, raspberry — lining the roadways. Some are just beginning to fade, and some are recovering from Saturday’s pounding rain, making it even more important to schedule some time to stare at them sooner rather than later. Buttercups opened not long after the lupine, and ox-eye daisies are just beginning, so some luxurious bouquets are free for the taking right now, if you know the right field.

In addition to my own lupine and bracken fern, this bouquet contains yellow iris and almost-opened Miss Kim lilacs, which, as you will see below, are having a VERY good year.

Through the kind invitation of a friend, I spent last Friday morning at the lakeside summer home of watercolor artist Ellie Carbone, who recently drove herself from Florida back to Maine, where she will celebrate her 90th birthday in August. Carbone’s personal story is remarkable, as is her talent for painting, and it’s one I will tell in an upcoming profile here on the Washington County Almanac. Tomorrow, I join a dozen or so of her fans in taking watercolor classes taught at the Roque Bluffs Community Center.

Watercolor artist Ellie Carbone, who splits her time between Florida and Washington County.

Seen around town

Notable and beloved Downeast storyteller, writer, and granddaughter of lighthouse keepers Delia Mae Farris, left, reading The Quoddy Tides at Hannaford in Machias.

In Machias, a doe crossing from the river along Norm Nelson Park toward the American Legion, and its frightened fawn staying behind. Traffic stopped for a full three minutes waiting for the little speckled baby to gather the nerve to follow Mama.
In front of River’s Edge Drive-In, two people on a four-wheeler holding their vanilla soft serve cones protectively high in the air as they gingerly drove through a giant puddle left from the previous day’s rain storm.

Upcoming Events

Don’t miss this weekend’s 2nd Annual Machias ATV Jamboree, which isn’t only for ATV owners. New this year is a twilight ATV ride on the Downeast Sunrise Trail, followed by a party at the Inn at Schoppee Farm, complete with pizza, live music, and games. It’s lovely to see more and more events centered around Machias’s Middle River Park, a property of the Downeast Coastal Conservancy. That’s where the fun will be focused on Saturday, including an afternoon and evening of more live music, raffles, and don’t miss the 4 p.m. parade up and down Main Street.

Fourth of July festivities across the county, including the flagship event, Fourth of July in Eastport, the largest Fourth of July event not only in Washington County but also in Maine. After a lengthy gap, the U.S. Navy is once again sending a ship to the celebrations. Eastport will receive the USS Oscar Austin, a Bath-built Arleigh Burke-class destroyer from Norfolk, Virginia. The parade is a must-see, too.

Machias, Cutler, and Jonesport also put on impressive Fourth of July celebrations. I’ll have those details for you in the next Postcard.

Until then, make some time to sit and stare at summer. It lasts longer that way.