Oh my goodness, I love the annual Turkey-a-Thon and nearly missed my chance to hand a check to a turkey by rolling into Machias late on Friday. Thank goodness I was in time to see these wonderful smiling faces. This year’s Turkey-a-Thon raised more than $43,000 for local food pantries to deliver Thanksgiving meals! Thank you to organizers WQDY and Healthy Acadia for their devotion to this effort. Over 20 years, they’ve raised more than $500,000! Photo by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

You’d be hard-pressed to find a better Downeast accent than Michael Hoyt’s, though I don’t hear it as often since he sold the Machias Hardware Store and moved to the woods to live out his lifelong dream of being a semi-hermit. Luckily, he keeps in touch by text, and you can see a lot of his beautiful photography on our Facebook page. 

I used to delight Michael by attempting to pronounce “Machias Hardware Store” with my best Downeast accent and when I say it delighted him I mean it annoyed him, and he begged me to stop, which is exactly the best way to encourage me.

There are so many different variations of a Downeast accent. David Whitney, who doesn’t normally speak with a thick accent, can slip into a wonderful version if asked. I’m grateful that David Cale, the Harbormaster of Machiasport, records the intro to my podcast, with his thick Downeast drawl. 

But if you have a chance to chat with Mike Schoppee, you’ll hear one of the best accents around. Mike is a firefighter, the Director of the Machias Public Works department and, I think, a selectman in Jonesboro.  

He knows how everything works around and below Machias, and can explain it all with a beautiful lilt.

For The Working Waterfront, I recently completed a story on how municipalities can pursue year-round housing for themselves, and in the process was introduced to a list of Smart Growth Principles that lay out goals for land use development in light of a housing shortage, and, most importantly to my mind, with an eye to the distant future. They include sensible advice like, “Mix land uses” and “Strengthen and direct development towards existing communities.” 

But delightfully, they also include this nugget: “Foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place.”

When did government-adjacent planning start focusing on the important stuff? One can only hope it’s the start of a trend. 

I’m afraid we have to be born to or raised with our accents, which add such a wonderful sense of place. But for those of us From Aways who want to do our part, we can carry forward the lingo, if not the pronunciation.

Michael Hoyt tells me that this time of year, our hunters are going into the woods wearing their Bubba hats, but that there aren’t a lot of Downeast terms that relate specifically to autumn. But here’s a good general list of Downeast vocabulary. 

Being raised in New Hampshire, I’m already well-versed in wicked, which I use all the time, and Ayuh, which I never use. But 12 years into life in Washington County, I am still practicing substituting sliding for sledding, and dooryard for driveway. 

I’m happy to do it.

I’m grateful to Samantha Ebbeson for sharing this stunning photo of Little Falls in Pembroke, a place I did not know of until three days ago! Can’t wait to see it in person. Photo by Samantha Ebbeson

The aurora borealis have captivated Mainers this month. I didn’t write about them when they happened two weeks ago because I was so bitter that I missed them. But last week, happily, they took place before my bedtime, so I was one of the throngs who stood staring up, agog. You’ll see two wonderful local pictures below, and millions more online.

Speaking of space, watch and be impressed by the way SpaceX landed its Super Heavy Booster this morning. In two weeks, Maine will host its 2nd Maine Space Conference in Portland. You might be surprised to learn just how many space-focused businesses are already operating in Maine. I was.

High winds took out power to many in Washington County yesterday, Saturday, Oct. 12, and 19,000 across Versant’s power district. This must have been exceptionally bad news to Versant, who has deployed a fleet of their trucks to North Carolina and Florida. But somehow they managed to get almost everyone back up by the end of the day.

Joyce Kryszak of East Machias and the Maine Monitor wrote this piece about the very real struggles of Maine farmers (with local interviews!) to survive and some legislation proposed by Sen. Angus King. Worth a read.

The excavation alongside the foundation of Porter Memorial Library went very well last Tuesday, though I did not sit and knit due to freezing winds. Instead of a haphazard rubble foundation, we discovered beautifully finished granite blocks and only one area of concern. I’m delighted. If you’re also a fan of historic preservation, you might want to vote yes on this fall’s Question 3, An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Restore Historic Community Buildings. $10 million doesn’t go as far as it used to, but it would go a long way to stabilizing some of Maine’s historic treasures, including many in our own backyard.

Washington County has been affected by Maine’s shortage of auditors, and no town more than Cutler, as this story in the Quoddy Tides reports. AOS Superintendent Scott Porter told me that before the pandemic Maine had 65 auditing firms, and now we have 19. This matters because timely school audits are key to towns receiving their state school funding.

Paul Sylvain reported on Machiasport’s last select board meeting, where the full Board (myself included) voted to approve hunting on all town land. Hunting to feed oneself and one’s family is a way of life in Washington County, and we are coming into high season now.

Get out your orange Bubba hat.

“Good heavens!” is what I said when I saw Butch McCall’s incredible photo of not only last week’s northern lights but the Big Dipper within them! I didn’t mean it as a double entendre at the time, but it works. Good heavens, indeed. Photo by Butch McCall

A New Local Cookbook

I don’t know of many Washington County cookbooks aside from the wonderful tomes put together by local groups and churches. (If you know of any others, I’d love to hear!) But as of last week we have the Starboard Sampler written by Dawn Lamoureux-Crocker of Starboard, Machiasport.

Dawn is a multi-talented woman who can teach science, knitting, or donut making, fish for lobster or scallops, and write articles for magazines. It is only our happy luck that she put all of that together in this cookbook, which I am ordering today.

I have attended one of Dawn’s amazing donut-making workshops, which fill up fast, so if you’re interested, check out the upcoming classes here. You won’t see me at the next workshop because there are only a handful of days in a year when I can consume six donuts by myself, and I’ve already spent at least one of them. Maybe two. In one day.

It had to be done. They were exceptional.

The donut recipe is in the cookbook, available in paperback or hardcover, just click the photo above. And those are some of Dawn’s sheep on the cover, a British heritage breed called Southdown Babydolls. Dawn’s sheep are part of a flock she has meticulously brought back together after a Maine farmer passed away and their flock was sold off.

How cool is that?

I adore silhouettes, so this one taken by Caitlyn Roy caught my eye this week. It’s of her children mesmerized by last week’s aurora borealis. I’m so grateful she let me publish it. Photo by Caitlyn Roy

Typically from Friday to Sunday you can buy fresh vegetables — and punkins, as they say Downeast — from Richard Merrill of Amber’s Best Farm. Prices are reasonable! I habitually choose one tall pumpkin to look like Bert, and a round one to look like Ernie from Sesame Street. I don’t know why. But, mission accomplished for another year. Richard sets up on the western edge of the dike in the Machias Farmer’s Market, Route 1, Machias. Photo by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

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I’ve never been there but I’m intrigued by the events being held at Bear Mountain Lodge in Robbinston. They look like a lot of fun!

A drive through Washington County gives the feeling of a quiet, homebody kind of place, and it is. But we know that there’s also a bustling hive of community activity, hidden away among the trees, lakes, and coves. For my money, we’re coming into the last big burst of community gatherings leading up to the holidays, and so this week I’m separating them by type — Halloween, Craft Fairs, and Various — so that you can quickly see just how many wonderful weekends you have in front of you, between now and after Christmas, when things slow down.

Not to say we completely hibernate from January through March, but we pretty much hibernate from January through March. Or is that just me? So first up, we start with…

HALLOWEEN EVENTS

No one does seasonal fun like the Jonesboro Grange #357! Click the photo above for more details on their Halloween Spooktacular.

Outdoor Women Lead will take you on a spooky hike up Catherine Mountain in Franklin, but in broad daylight, thus lessening the chances of seeing that frightful Washington County specter. From their site, “What’s spookier than a local ghost story? Not knowing your mushrooms! Learn the story of Catherine’s ghost on this moderate, breathtaking little mountain in the Blackwoods and learn some mushroom ID while at it.” This outing group is reserved for women and girls 16+. This program is free, but registration is required! The event takes place Saturday, Oct. 19, from 1 to 4 p.m. Visit https://whrl.org/programs/owl/ for full details.

West Branch Farms Fall Family Festival will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26, at beautiful West Branch Farms in Machias. It’s a free event but tickets are required! Find them at the FIND TICKETS button here on the right. Enjoy fall snacks, Trunk or Treat for the kids, games and much more! West Branch Farms is located at 180 W. Kennebec Road, Machias.

Right after that you can head to the Machias Valley Baptist Church Trunk or Treat, set for 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26. Grab some goodies and enjoy the competitive men's chili cookoff and women's pie baking contest. Unbiased judging and stellar first place prizes. Chili and pie submissions due at the judges' table by 5pm sharp. They’ll be serving hot dogs, chili, pies and CANDY! Rain date is Oct. 27. The church is located at 8 Broadway, Machias.

The Witches of Eastport are back in town for a full day of Halloween fun on Saturday, Oct. 26. Make a pumpkin for the pumpkin derby, see the witches parade, gather for the Witches Dance led by the Eastport Elementary cheerleaders. All-ages Halloween contradance at the Eastport Arts Center at 6 p.m. Complete schedule and rain info at: www.eastportartfests.org

Fueled by all the candy you had on Saturday, on Sunday, Oct. 27, you can run in the Moosehorn Ghost Run, a half marathon and relay! I set my own personal land-speed record being chased by white-faced hornets, but I think I could break that one if chased by ghosts. The event is sponsored by the amazing Bold Coast Runners, they do so much good work in the area. Registration is at the link here.

If you’re out and about in Jonesport on the big day, stop by Peabody Memorial Library for the Trick-or-Treat Break Station from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31.

Danforth Trunk or Treat will begin at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31, in the Danforth Town Office parking lot. Prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place Trunks and Best Costumes! Contact Katie Whiting for information on setting up a trunk: 448-2813 or 794-4706.0

Trick-or-Treat Main Street in Machias is so much fun and this year, it falls on Halloween, so rest up. You’ll want to bring the kids to Main Street on Halloween, Thursday, Oct. 31, from 3-5 p.m., then stop in at the Pellon Center for the FREE Harvest Family Supper at the Lee Pellon Center, Route 1, Machias, between 4 and 6 p.m., and finally hit your neighborhood for the final burst of trick-or-treat fun. Thank you to the Community Caring Collaborative for organizing the Harvest Meal, and to the Machias Bay Chamber of Commerce for organizing Trick-or-Treat Main Street, which is generously brought to us by our local businesses. Show them some love this week!

The Narraguagus High School Annual Holiday Craft Fair will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2, at Narraguagus Jr/Sr High School, 1611 Main Street, Harrington.

A Harvest Craft Fair hosted by the Jonesboro Union Church Auxiliary will happen from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9. The church is located at 24 Looks Point Road, Jonesboro.

Not strictly speaking a craft fair but Christmasy so I’m putting it here. The Jonesboro Grange #357 is hosting a Christmas Wreath Fundraiser. Order your wreath anytime before Nov. 13. Wreaths are $20. All the details are here.

The Lubec Christmas Craft Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16 at the Lubec Elementary School

A Christmas Craft Fair will be hosted at West Branch Farms, Machias, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16.

The Perry P.T.C. Craft Fair will be held at Perry Elementary School from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23. The school is located at 1587 Route 1, Perry.

A Craft Fair and Festival of Trees will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23 at the Beals Elementary School, located at 24 Mill Pond Road, Beals.

The Down East Community Hospital Auxiliary Craft Fair is the fair without which my holidays are not complete. This year, they will bring it back for the 51st time from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Rose M. Gaffney Elementary School in Machias. So. Much. Fun. This is also the weekend when the Wesley Foundation will host its popular annual Tree Festival, and Machias hosts its Community Christmas weekend, including a parade. Details on the parade not yet available.

Next weekend! The Celtic God of Death, a Banshee, the Angel of Death, the Grim Reaper, and the Irish Goddess of Death show up at an Irish wake for a bit of craic in this dark comedy about death, Ireland, and the other side of suicide. Looks to be a fantastic production coming to Machias and Eastport in October. Click the image above to purchase seats.

The Sunrise County Economic Council will host its annual summit in Danforth this year, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 16. I’ve only attended one other summit, but it was fascinating. If you love Washington County and want to understand our economy and its challenges, it’s a must-attend. Details here.

Calling all citizen scientists! The Downeast Coastal Conservancy and Maine Coast Heritage Trust are teaming up to host a Coastal Flood Meetup at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 18. They are seeking project volunteers who will help collect data to reveal the weather and water level conditions associated with localized coastal flooding. The data will aid in understanding the unique vulnerabilities our local communities experience as sea levels rise and assist in resilience planning and emergency management. Details here.

Open Knitting and Crochet at Wooleez of Maine in Machias will be held every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 4 Colonial Way, Ste. 1, Machias. Bring your project! Open to knitters, crocheters, and any fiber arts artists! Come sit and enjoy some company while working. The next gathering will be Wednesday, Oct. 16.

The Machias Area Community Supper is now a bi-weekly affair and is back this week on Thursday, Oct. 24. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. and dinner runs from 5 to 6 p.m. FREE! Good food and convivial company. Held at Centre Street Congregational Church, Machias. Look for the giant steeple on Centre Street.

Continue reading below…Need help on the computer? Who doesn’t? Good news — you can find it for free at Porter Memorial Library each week during 1:1 Computer Help hours. This week, they’ll run from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 11. Sign up at the front desk or call 255-3933 to sign up for in-person help with your tech questions - smartphone, laptops, etc. The library is located at 92 Court Street, Machias.

Get ready to laugh at the Welcome to Maine! Comedy Show to be held at the Milbridge Theater and Community Arts Center at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 18. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the door on the night of the event. Welcome to Maine is a well-known Maine duo, see their work here.

Sign up now for Cobscook Institute Pottery Classes running in November and December. There’s a whole raft of options across the week. Find them all here.

Sip and Paint at the French Cellar at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24. Tickets are now on sale for this event where participants will paint their own fall scene while sipping amazing wine and dining on one of Emily Fitzimmon’s legendary charcuterie boards. Looks like the class is almost full! Sign up here.

Conscious Movement Dance with Regina Grabrovac is open to all ages and will take place Tuesday, Oct. 29, at 5:30 p.m. Conscious movement is the practice of moving with deliberate awareness, connecting mind and body to cultivate mindfulness and a deeper sense of embodiment. This is a live DROP-IN class on Cobscook Institute's Campus, 10 Commissary Point Road, Township of Trescott. Call 733-2233 with questions.

We enjoy sharing our love of Washington County, Maine, so much that we’d honestly do it for free. In fact, we do! But if you wanted to buy us an oat milk cortado for our troubles, we wouldn’t say no. You can send support by check to our PO Box below, by PayPal, or by credit card.

Thanks!