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Somewhere in New England, snow is falling today, maybe even where you are. Earlier this week snow fell on Washington County, just a cheery dusting. Photo by Michael Hoyt

We woke on Monday to a light dusting of snow and, eventually, bright sunny skies. Even in deep winter, snow isn’t guaranteed this close to the coast, and I miss it. But over the years I have found that even a smattering of white is enough to put me in the holiday spirit. It works, I think, in the same way a gas fireplace or even a video of a fireplace on TV does. We know it’s not the real deal, but somehow it lifts the spirits, anyway.

I’m delighted to be easily cheered in this way.

Over the weekend we picked up our Thanksgiving turkey at Tide Mill Farm, located in Edmunds, and then today woke to this lovely story about their long history, printed in the Bangor Daily News. 

My father thought Tide Mill’s turkeys were the best he’d ever had, and he was a Thanksgiving aficionado, so each year he insisted on buying one for us, as his contribution to the holiday table. 

This year’s table will be the first where we don’t set a seat for Dad, who passed away last year on December 5th. How we miss him! Our parents loved the holidays, and so do all four of their children, so we will still find some joy alongside the grief. But just to help the joy along, I’m planning some tiny changes to our traditional Thanksgiving day so that this year’s celebration isn’t a carbon copy of last year’s, minus Dad — a new tablecloth, some Christmas puzzles I picked up at Porter Memorial Library, and a hike.

My amusing little sister, Elizabeth, watching me watch the family last Thanksgiving. Photo by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Local Community Dinners

If you haven’t made your Thanksgiving plans yet, you could book a seat at the WaCo Diner in Eastport, which will be offering a free meal from 1 to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 23. Reservations are required, call 207-853-9226. If you’re further north in Washington County, consider having a holiday meal tonight at the Danforth Livable Community Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 22. The center is located at 26 Bancroft Road, Danforth.

If you’d like to think more about food and Washington County at this festive time of year, make sure to stream A Taste of History on Amazon Prime. Season 13 Episode 6, “Tides of a Revolution - The Battle of Machias Bay,” stars none other than our own Revolutionary War Reenactors of Downeast Maine! This episode was filmed last year, and we’ve all been eagerly awaiting its release.

Click the image above to be taken to a place where you can listen to the podcast for free, and directly. Some people are intimidated by podcasts, but listening to them really requires little technical effort, and, in my opinion, they’ve created a second Golden Age of Radio, online.

Hunger Way Downeast

Not by coincidence, the newest episode of my podcast, Way Downeast, is all about food. Specifically, about food insecurity, and the people and organizations who are working to end it in Washington County. Please listen to my interviews with Nancy Lewis and Ken Warner, co-directors of the Machias Area Food Pantry, and Healthy Acadia’s Regina Grabrovac, to learn what they’re doing to address the region’s growing need for food assistance, and to hear the food pantry’s announcement of a new capital campaign to purchase expanded cold storage.

You can donate to the Machias Area Food Pantry online here, or mail a check to the address on that link.

The Community Christmas Giving Tree is the kind of organization that makes your eyes well up with tears at Christmas time. Helen’s Elves, as the volunteers call themselves, create Christmas spirit for more than 500 families, seniors, and nursing home residents each year. If you know someone who would like to participate, wish lists are due Dec. 8.

Christmas Charities Way Downeast

Another important charity is hard at work, and working against the clock to provide Christmas to hundreds (more than 500, actually) central Washington County families and nursing home residents. 

The Community Christmas Giving Tree serves the towns of Cutler, East Machias, Jonesboro, Lubec, Machias, Machiasport, Marshfield, Northfield, Trescott, Wesley, Whiting, and Whitneyville, and is still accepting wish lists until Friday, Dec. 8. The lists themselves can be picked up at the Holy Name Parish Hall in Machias from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, though Helen’s Elves (the name of Giving Tree Volunteers, after beloved founder Helen Vose) are off this week. Wish Lists can also be picked up at the Centre Street Congregational Church Vestry on Thursdays, and at We Care Baby Center, when they are open for business. 

Donations of new toys, books, or children’s winter wear can be dropped off at the Parish Hall during their open hours (see above) and checks may be mailed to Community Christmas Giving Tree, P.O. Box 265, Machias, ME 04654. With questions, reach out to Kelley Scoville at 207-385-5350 or Sharon Eaton, at 207-255-2729.

In western Washington County, the Maine Seacoast Mission’s Christmas Program distributes gifts to children, families, elders, prisoners, and nursing home residents at Christmas time. You can purchase items or gift cards from the Mission’s wish list here. For more information, call 546-4466, or email.

My late father, Douglas Craighead, sitting with my brother Matt and preparing to enjoy his favorite dish at Helen’s Restaurant — fish chowder. Turns out, Dad’s not the only one who adores Helen’s fish chowder! Click the photo above or here to read how one website has named Helen’s the BEST place to get a cup of soup in MAINE. Photo by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Before I leave you, remember that in the Machias Area, the zenith of Christmas community fun takes place on Saturday, Dec. 2. You can find all the events you need to know about here on our Facebook page. And if you love the Nutcracker, tickets went on sale today, Nov. 20, for two performances scheduled on Dec. 2 at the University of Maine at Machias. They will sell out!

And don’t forget Small Business Saturday, scheduled for November 25th this year. Lots of wonderful small shops and restaurants all across the county.

However you choose to celebrate the start of the season, I hope you enjoy it.

Machias Rides Again

After two weeks of renovations by JK Construction, the Machias Dunkin’ reopened last week and, as town manager Bill Kitchen quipped, Machias is now running again. Phew! Click the image above to see my video of the new, more glamorous space. Photo by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

It’s the season for giving! If you have something extra to spare, please consider giving to the Machias Area Food Pantry. The button below will take you to their donation page. Or, mail a check to the Community Christmas Giving Tree, at PO Box 265, Machias, ME 04654.

Thank you!