The Cherryfield Fire Department went all out for last night’s 4th Annual Parade of Lights, isn’t that truck wonderful? And they didn’t only show up in the nighttime parade, today they’ll be escorting Santa around town so he can say hello to area youngsters. Delightful! Photo courtesy Cherryfield Fire Department

Thank heavens we have a yarn shop in Machias. As a knitter, heaven knows I require no more yarn – I achieved “Stash Exceeds Life Expectancy” about 9 years ago – but I’m forever misplacing knitting needles (and still buying yarn). Where do they all go? I don’t know.  I can only assume they’re together somewhere in a bag or basket, patiently holding onto half-completed projects, awaiting my return.

Bless their hearts.

Shop Local is a refrain we hear all year long, but one that seems especially possible this time of year when what we need isn’t a rare bag of gluten-free flour from Montana, but something for a stocking, or a centerpiece for our Christmas table.

It’s on my mind this morning because I’ve read closure announcements from three Washington County gift shops in less than a week – Riverlily in Milbridge, the 45th Parallel in Perry, and the Eastport Mercantile. 

I don’t know the reasons for each closure – they’re surely varied – and heaven knows businesses come and go. My family still misses Fat Cat Pizza, and The Artist’s Cafe, both long gone. My youngest still talks about the incredible tacos from a taco truck that opened to some fanfare, and which we were able to visit exactly once before they stopped showing up, and eventually, I believe, left town.

Whatever their reasons for closure, we can assume they didn’t include “too much business.”

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Tiger’s housemate, Michael Hoyt, is not concerned about the lack of snow but I believe Tiger, like me, would prefer a white Christmas. Still, there’s something seasonally wonderful about a walk in birch and balsam forests, with or without the snowfall. Photo by Michael Hoyt

So if you, too, appreciate the ability to live in or visit Washington County and fit a little shopping around your hiking, kayaking, or staring at the view, there’s still time to order from Washington County businesses in time for Christmas.

If you’re looking for something particular, shoot me a message and I can tell you where I’d look. You can also scroll through the membership directories of our Washington County Chambers of Commerce, found here.

I did a little tally this morning and noted that this Postcard is the 45th of 2024, and it will serve as the final one of 2024, too, so that I can enjoy time with my complete little family when Griffin returns from college this week. Those of you with grown children know how wonderful it is to have them all under the same roof again.

With the New Year approaching, I’ll also spend some time tallying other aspects of 2024, a satisfying reflective practice I learned from my best friend from college, Allison, who wrote about it here. 

And, because both of my parents left us in past Decembers, I’ll spend a good deal of time in my memories, as perhaps all but the youngest among us do this time of year. Another friend, a poet, wrote beautifully about her loss, and the way grief and gratitude mingle together here. 

Thank you for reading my work in 2024. I’m sending you warm wishes for some rest, some festivity, some good company, and some peace in the remaining spaces of December, and all good things for 2025.

Merry Christmas!

What a difference three months makes! Local photographer Tina Farley shared these photos taken from almost exactly the same position in October and in December. The gigantic Machias Christmas tree stands in loving memory of Town Manager Bill Kitchen, and was gifted to the town by 4Shore Construction, then lit on the evening of the Parade of Lights.

The wonderful St. Croix Historical Society has a series of articles about Moose in Washington County, including one from the Boston Globe in 1903 that tells the story of moose poacher George Magoon of Crawford, Washington County, who wrote this letter from the jail in Machias.

“Machias jail. Dec 24. 1901

“Dear, game commissioner-I am george magoon who you must no I guess. I am here for killing a cow moos. I have staid so long there ain’t nothin to do at home before spring and I would like to stay four months more and get credit for it by you.

“If I kill anything else I will have one term in jail to fall back on for I mite be bizzy just when I got caught next time and if I didn’t kill enythlng else or if I do and you don’t Ketch me you’ll be that much ahead because you’ll have that term in late out of me for nothin “

If you think this is fare rite me

 “your friend “gorge magoon.

Seems fair to me!

You can read the whole essay and Globe article here.

While I’m hard at work in the Machias Town Office, I’ve begun writing these postcards bi-weekly, and I want to be sure to give you a sense of what’s going on until I’m back again in January. Don’t forget to check out the wonderful local guide Artsipelago here, and this wonderful micro-local calendar focused on central and western Washington County, maintained by Robert from S. Addison.

We attended the opening performance of Scroogeport in Machias on Friday, and it was wonderful. Don’t miss your chances to see this bespoke Downeast adaptation that is at once festive, brainy, and funny. Well acted, too! Four more shows next weekend in Eastport.

If you’re quick you can make it to the Maine Woods Outfitters Cornhole Tournament in Machias this afternoon, at 3 p.m.! It will be held inside the Foss Event Center at West Branch Farm. All the details are here.

I’ll be at our final library Board meeting of the year this night, or I’d attend one of the great events happening on Wednesday, including Mason’s Downeast paint and sip on Wednesday, Dec. 18, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., beginning painters and sippers welcome! In Machias. Ticket cost $25

On the same evening, Christmas spirits will be burning brightly at the MVCS Christmas program. You just can’t beat kids singing when it comes to holiday cheer.

In Pembroke, singers will enjoy Old Christmas in New England, an evening of carols, seasonal songs, and fiddle tunes of New England, featuring Kris Paprokcki. To be held in the Pembroke Library at 6 p.m.

On Saturday morning, kids will love to have Breakfast with Santa at Jonesport-Beals High School, from 8 to 11 a.m. $5 per person, and all proceeds go to JBHS Class of 2028.

Mill River Ranch Farm in Milbridge is hosting an open farm day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21, followed by a Winter Solstice Spiral and Bonfire from 4 to 6 p.m. All the details are here.

If you’re closer to Lubec on Saturday, Dec. 21, head to the Lubec Brewing Company at 1 p.m. for the LAMPS Carol Sing.

If your energy holds out, plan to be in Milbridge at noon on Sunday, Dec. 22, for the Annual Santa Run!

If you’re in Eastport on Sunday, Dec. 22, head to Phoenix Fine Wines at 2 p.m. for a Carol Sing Along.

As ever, there is a robust schedule of events at the Eastport Arts Center. See them all here.

The Machias Town Office has a beautiful view out its back windows, and is frequently visited by deer, turkey, and a beautiful pair of cardinals, to the delight of absolutely all of us. Photo by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

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