Isn’t this beautiful? West Quoddy Head Light Keeper’s Association Executive Director Kimberly Ashby captured this sparkling image of the light and Grand Manan on Friday, Feb. 7, also known affectionately in Maine as “207 Day.” For those who wonder why West at the easternmost place in the U.S., it’s because East Quoddy Head is next door on Campobello Island, New Brunswick, Canada. Photo by Kimberly Ashby

If Washington County were Busy Town, this month instead of corn convertibles and hot dog mobiles, Richard Scarry would draw every other vehicle as a snow plow, zipping in and out of driveways, across parking lots, and lumbering down Route 1.

One or two would be pickles, obviously.

Busy Town’s parking lots would feature rows of colorful snowmobiles—sleds if you’re local— that ride down the Sunrise Trail for lunch. Hippos waiting for cocoa at the Dunkin’ drive-through would gaze across the Middle River to see children sliding down the Elephant’s Back, the actual local name for the hillside once owned by the St. Regis Paper Company. And firefighters would drive big red trucks to collect their mail.

The last part actually happens year-round. Color me delighted.

We’re having a real, honest-to-goodness winter. Last week, I passed a pickup truck with a heavy plow on its nose, and a snowmobile squeezed into its bed, a bit hanging over the edge.

Snow work in the front, snow party in the back, with apologies to mullets.

I’m appreciating every moment because even so far north and east, we are not guaranteed this much snow. After about five years of living here, I made a family rule: sliding—sledding, if you’re not local—had to happen the day of or the day after a snowfall, because the snow never stuck around for long. 

No such pressure this year because we’re on a regular rotation of 1 to 3 inches. According to public works director Michael Schoppee’s sources, this pattern could continue for a few more weeks. Seems true, because it’s snowing right now, we’re expecting more on Thursday, and again next Sunday.

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Snowmobiles park in front of Machias’ Station 1898, stopping for lunch at Helen’s Restaurant before jumping back onto the Downeast Sunrise Trail, which for the first time in several years is consistently full of snow. Photo courtesy Helen’s Restaurant, Machias

This means that for the first time in years, I can put on snowshoes with a straight face. No more of what I call placebo snowshoeing across a field stacked only 3” high with snow, as easily traversed in sneakers.

I taught myself to snowshoe—don’t be too impressed, it’s essentially walking—as a 16-year-old in New Hampshire. Still without a driver’s license living miles from town and even more miles from a mall, I thought I might as well entertain myself in the woods. I bought a copy of David Stokes’ Guide to Nature in Winter, and after my parents bought me some snow shoes, spent some enjoyable weekends in the snowy forests trying to identify winter weeds on the side of Clark Summit, where I grew up.

That small mountain is named for Clark Poling, one of the Four Chaplains, who was raised on the other side. At its top is a bronze plaque memorializing the ultimate sacrifice Mr. Poling and his fellow chaplains made on February 3, 1943, during the sinking of the USAT Dorchester. 

If we pay attention, is every single place, no matter how remote, replete with something extraordinary?

I think the answer is probably yes. But you know, I’m especially partial to this remarkable place.

Like the Machias Bay, which is currently home to a significant fishing fleet, a Naval base, and edged in places by the Downeast Sunrise Trail. This year marks the 250th anniversary of the Battle of the Margaretta, which happened here in 1775. But if we go back perhaps a bit further, we learn that the Machias Bay was also a favorite haunt of 18th-century pirates, who could safely regroup in the mouth of the Machias River.

There is an island there, a young friend tells me, completely covered in holes where treasure hunters have sought the buried gold of Samuel “Black” Bellamy. That pirate had a fort here, if I remember correctly, near The Rim. 

Today, it looks like trees.

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Sue Jacobson captured this beautiful sunrise over Jasper Beach on January 21. Thank you for sharing, Sue!

And it isn’t only remarkable history. Yesterday my husband and I visited the Washington Academy Valentine’s Day Craft Fair, with 40 vendors from all across the county, including an artisanal cookie designer from Northfield, a basket maker from Milbridge, and a local beauty business from Charlotte.

At the fair, I picked up some small treats to leave for my two neighbors, one at each end of the road, who voluntarily plow us out every storm. Sometimes I wake up to a clean-plowed driveway, and I wake up early. 

So kind.

Then we ran all of our errands in the space of a single linear mile, and drove home past unseen shell middens and petroglyphs dating back thousands of years, into the Harbor where the British were captured in 1776, and where today dozens of fishing vessels sit quietly waiting for Monday morning, when they, like my plowing neighbors, will be out before the dawn, into the cold.

I think Ryan Malagara has single-handedly changed the way we see Washington County through his plentiful — and beautiful — aerial videos and photography. Click the photo above to see one of his recent videos during a snowfall. Video courtesy DEVI Productions

The University of Maine at Machias has been spreading Valentine’s spirit with a series of posts celebrating couples of who found their beginning while studying at UMM over the years. Find them here on the school’s Facebook page.

At West Branch Farms, the community raised $80,000 to help the family of young Isaac Hall, a local toddler recently diagnosed with Leukemia.

Legend of Pirate Sam Bellamy spurs hunts for facts, treasure. This one’s from last summer thanks to local journalist RJ Heller and the Quoddy Tides.

In Machias, Washington County Public Safety Building Set to Open in April.

How Maine Counties are Spending Federal ARPA Funds

Loss of Local Gathering Places Leads to Mental Health Decline Editor and journalist Lura Jackson’s piece speaks to an issue near and dear to my heart, my strong belief that time together is better for all of us. Next to a possibly pathological love of books, it is what drives my efforts on behalf of Porter Memorial Library in Machias.

Two Addison fishermen perish on the way home

All these thoughts of snow reminded me of this beautiful children’s book, Snowflake Bentley by Jaqueline Briggs Martin, illustrated by one of my top-five favorite artists, Mary Azarian. I cannot read it without crying.

I think it’s the way that from a young age, Bentley is led by his overwhelming fascination to study snowflakes, at the time seemingly beneath our scientific notice. The way he followed his irresistible curiosity gifted all of us with a new eye for microscopic beauty.

And though it could have so easily been otherwise, his parents met Bentley’s unshakeable—and unusual—enchantment with only tender support.

In short, it isn’t only about the snow.

Recommended.

The Wesley Foundation hosted a free public skate and lunch yesterday on their new frog pond in Machias! Look at this fantastic facility! And they have a great big collection of skates to loan us, too. It’s just across the street from Down East Community Hospital on Court Street, in historic Sylvan Park. Stay in touch with their hours on their Facebook page. Photo courtesy The Wesley Foundation

Fantastic Upcoming Events

While I’m hard at work in the Machias Town Office, I’ve begun writing these postcards less-than-weekly. Maybe my favorite thing about living in Washington County is the abundance of heartfelt community events tucked in alongside our quiet natural beauty. Sometimes I like to attend, sometimes I just like to know they’re happening!

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.

A large collection of drool-worthy local artwork is up for bid at the Eastport ArtsFests Hearts for the Arts Auction page. Bidding is open until Feb. 16.

One of Washington County’s most iconic selfie spots is in front of the Eastport Mermaid. Today at 3 p.m. you can hear the sculptor speak at the Eastport Port Authority as part of Eastport Arts Center’s Sunday Talk series. In person, 3 p.m., 141 Water Street.

Quoddy Voices kicks off rehearsals this week at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 12. Led by the incomparable maestro Gene Nichols, new singers are welcome, no experience needed! Read all about it here. Rehearsals are held at the Eastport Arts Center, 36 Washington Street, Eastport.

You’ve probably noticed that almost 100% of the links I share in this section take you back to Facebook. That’s because here in Washington County, and probably in most of rural America, Facebook is the de facto standard for business communication. It’s easier and less expensive than websites, and ubiquitous. So, if you have a business you’d like to spread the word about and don’t know how you’re in luck. MaineStreet Business Building is offering a free two-session workshop called Facebook Pages for Business. The first meeting is from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 11, with the second one week later.

Skates are a theme this week! You can roller skate in Lubec, and ice skate in Machias and Danforth, where the ice rink is open for you to enjoy during daylight hours, 8 - 4.  Skate at your own risk.  Children should be accompanied by an adult. Do you have ice skates that you don't use anymore? Danforth is accepting donations of skates at the town office, Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closer to Machias? The Wesley Foundation would love to have them, too.

Valentine’s Couples Paint and Sip at Pat’s Pizza: $50 per couple - on Saturday, Feb. 15, couples will receive step-by-step instruction from the one and only Dawn Cates Wright! Participating couples will also receive all painting supplies, two drinks of their choice, and a small cheese breadstick with the price of each ticket. Please call Pats Pizza by Feb. 12 to reserve a spot. 255-8111

The next free Machias Area Community Supper will happen on Thursday, Feb. 20. Doors open at 4:30 p.m., meal served from 5 to 7 p.m. at Centre Street Congregational Church, 9 Center Street, Machias.

Love cheesecake? Which is to say, are you an organic life form on the planet? Yes, you love it. So, you’ll be delighted by the opening of a new bakery in Calais. Sharon’s Place will hold its Grand Opening at 9 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 21. 10 Whitney Street, Calais. She’ll have more than cheesecake, too.

Peabody Memorial Library in Jonesport will host a demonstration of Alternative Lobster Fishing Gear from 1 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 18, in partnership with the Sunrise County Economic Council.

Sweet on someone in the Danforth area? Take advantage of this candy delivery opportunity through Feb. 11!

I’m pretty excited about this year’s Winter Family Fun Day at Middle River Park because there have been so many years where a lack of winter has put a damper on the event. Not this year! Enjoy sledding, snowshoeing, a bonfire, hot dogs, s’mores, cocoa and more! Snowshoes will be available to folks to borrow. Bring your own tube, sled, or decorate your own cardboard box for the sledding contest! Hosted by the Downeast Coastal Conservancy, the fun kicks off at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22.

Despite my pedigree as a former owner of sneaker skates, I have not yet been to Skate Lubec, but I plan to one of these weekends. What a cool offering, roller skating in the Lubec High School gymnasium! They post their hours and fundraisers on their Facebook page here.

Tax season, snore. But it must be dealt with. Need a helping hand? Then register for a Tax Aide session at Porter Memorial Library in Machias, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 27.

Are you a plant lover or gardener? You can order your seeds from a wonderful Maine company and support Porter Memorial Library at the same time! Place your orders online by scanning the QR code here or stopping by the library for an order form, 92 Court Street Machias.

Then, mark your calendars for Saturday, March 29, when the library hosts its annual Porter Memorial Library Plant Swap and Sale, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Do you have houseplants? If you’re willing, now is a great time to start cuttings to swap or sell at the library. Let me know if you have some to share.

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