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We seem to have begun prime foliage season Way Downeast. I was skeptical that this would be a vivid leaf year, but I’m happy to be wrong, as this photo taken along Route 191 proves. Photo by Holly Whitney

Oh my goodness, this head cold. It’s rolling through my household, my town, the county, and surely beyond. Yesterday, my youngest said, “Wow, Mom, you look sick!” 

Funny story — that’s because I am. 

I send fervent wishes that it does not find you.

Outside the House of Kleenex, it was a beautiful autumnal week Way Downeast, and our foliage is finally in full swing. Though I haven’t been out to inspect the damage, I suspect Tropical Storm Phillippe came through early enough that it didn’t take all our leaves with it when it went.

It did leave behind 3 inches of rainfall. I think we’re all stocked up.

At the invitation of Coach David Whitney, I dropped by Washington Academy on Thursday to see the new soccer dugouts constructed with the help of so many people. As Whitney pointed out, soccer players endure heat in late summer and cold in late autumn, so having a place to get out of the elements is vital. Now they do!

Earlier that day, I was delighted to share coffee and pastries with reader and new friend Richard Davis, who spends part of every summer here. The day before we met, Davis and his wife traveled to Cross Island, an offshore National Wildlife Refuge easily reachable by boat from Bucks Harbor. We’ve all heard of lighthouses, but I had not heard of lifesaving stations until last year. The remnants of the Cross Island station are still visible today, as Smith’s lovely photos show. You can read more about Maine’s lifesaving stations in this story and by clicking the photo collage below.

Cross Island is full of scenic walking opportunities and also the remnants of the Cross Island Life Saving Station. Today, the island is a national wildlife refuge managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Photos by Richard Davis

Mark Your Calendars

As a teenager in a tiny New Hampshire town, I spent a lot of time wishing the Mall of New Hampshire wasn’t 45 minutes away. But gradually, and of necessity, I learned to train my eyes on what — and who — was close at hand. That’s how I learned that some of the most rural, apparently sleepy places disguise truly remarkable things. In my own life, I’m not thinking further than my next cup of echinacea tea, but if you’re feeling spry, now’s a good time to consider some upcoming events across the county. 

First in importance though not in chronology, is a benefit supper for beloved retired state trooper Andy Foss to support him and his family as he fights cancer. Organizer Judy Hanscom is also collecting donations for an auction the same evening and has already received some impressive items, including bushels of clams, 100 pounds of lobster, and a cord of firewood, among many more.

The Iota Short Forms writing conference will begin this week at Cobscook Institute in Trescott, and the public is invited to hear local author Rebecca McKenna read on the evening of Friday, Oct. 13th. It starts at 6:30 p.m. Learn more here.

Member of the Penobscot Nation and archaeologist Bonnie Newsom, Ph.D, will speak about Birds in Past Wabanaki Lifeways at Porter Memorial Library at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 20. Admission is free. And while I have you thinking about PML, where I serve as president of the board, I want to mention the free computer (and smartphone!) help sessions offered there, as well as the weekly youth story hours. If you want to learn more, visit the website here.

Then the following day, you can pop over to the Rose M. Gaffney Elementary School in Machias, where the Whitneyville Public Library will host one of its popular craft fairs, set to run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. That leaves you time to coffee-up or nap-up, have some dinner, and head to The Anchor where popular local musical duo Cook n’ Lamb will perform from 8 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, Oct. 21. We’re so fortunate to have an indoor music venue in Machias once again and, of course, so many amazing local groups!

Shakespeare comes to Machias! On Wednesday, Oct. 25th, the Monmouth Theater company will present Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part 1 at UMM’s Performing Arts Center. The Collins Center sponsors this performance for the Arts, and admission is by donation. This lovely image of the Bard is courtesy of the printmaking class at Machias Memorial High School, taught by Mrs. Lee.

And then, of course, comes my favorite October event, Trick or Treat Main Street in Machias, happening from 3 to 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 27. In my opinion, it’s even more fun than actual Halloween due to the sheer concentration of people and the daylight hours allowing us all to see their wonderful costumes. Thanks to the local businesses that spend their money to create it and to the Machias Bay Area Chamber of Commerce for coordinating it each year.

Looking even further ahead, in the Sarah Craighead Dedmon holiday rulebook, October is not too early to think about Christmas gifts or ornaments. I do quite a bit of my shopping at autumn craft fairs, but this year, I will also be shopping at the Machiasport Town Office, where they’re selling these adorable ornaments in the shape of historic Liberty Hall. They are also selling enamel lapel pins in the shape of Liberty Hall, and all profits go to benefit its continued restoration. Learn more about this architectural gem by clicking the ornament photo.

Now available on Apple Podcasts

I’m delighted to report that the Way Downeast podcast is now available everywhere, including Apple podcasts, which will simplify things for iPhone users. But you don’t need a smartphone to hear the podcast; just click the photo below to listen on our website.

Lastly, I leave you with a photo of my long-hoped-for raspberry bounty. My childhood home, an old 1700s cape, came with a quarter acre of raspberries, which my sister Christie and I picked every summer morning to earn spending money, and, at our parents’ urging, to deliver to area elders who could no longer visit to pick their own.

I’ve long wanted a patch of my own, but as is often true of gardening, I have failed to create one for a variety of exciting reasons. This year, though, we have done it!

Soon, I’ll have enough for a batch of raspberry jam which I’m planning to use — see earlier remark acceptable Christmas timelines — in my raspberry thumbprint Christmas cookies.

For now, though, I’m just going to stay home and sneeze.

Late autumn raspberries on top of hurricane-flattened corn stalks. Ahh, life Way Downeast. Photo by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

We enjoy sharing our love of Washington County, Maine, so much that we’d honestly do it for free. In fact, most of the time, we do. But if you wanted to buy us a box of Puffs Plus for our troubles, we wouldn’t say no. You can donate by check to our new PO Box, by Paypal, or by Sripe! Thanks!