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This photo looks like a scene from a woodland fairy tale but it’s actually an image captured by a Washington County game camera. Though the snow is largely gone, a lighter version of winter remains Way Downeast and with it, our last weeks to stay inside and prepare for the energy of spring. That is, unless we’re tapping maple syrup! Photo courtesy Jeanne Vose

A summer friend was driving north and asked if she could pick up any supplies for us in Portland. Need anything from Whole Foods? Trader Joe’s?

No, I said. We’re all set.

A few years earlier, I would have taken her up on it. But by then, we had fully acclimated to life at a distance from Big Retail, and I couldn’t think of a thing we needed from there that we couldn’t also get some version of here.

When it comes to food, even with a gluten-free kiddo, I’ve always found almost all of what we need between Hannaford and the Machias Marketplace. I haven’t had to give anything up by shopping in those places, but after living in Dallas, the truth is, I would have given up a lot not to spend half of every Saturday in my car, collecting goods from multiple stores, each the size of multiple football fields.

And the truth is, when it comes to other goods — clothing, shoes, or makeup, I’m happy to fill in the gaps through the mail. This applies to prescription eyewear, too. Since they opened, I’ve purchased all of my glasses through Zenni Optical, the advantage of which is extreme affordability, and the disadvantage of which is lengthy shipping timeframes.

You have to plan ahead.

And recently, we did, ordering two new pairs for my husband, and two for me. After weeks of waiting, I received notice that the glasses had been delivered.

Except, they hadn’t.

I called our little post office, and they directed me to call another local post office. “Oops,” they explained, “Looks like it was delivered to a different point. We’ll leave a note for your mail carrier.”

“Okay!” I said, “But I think I’m going to put out an APB on Facebook, too.”

I did, and neighbors weighed in quickly — not here, or, I’ll check when I get home! One neighbor asked, “What’s your street number?” And in a jif, she ran to the same number on another point, got permission to check their mailbox, and 10 minutes later was in my driveway with the package.

I called the post office to call off the search, and she laughed. Probably because she knows, that’s how it works around here.

And probably because it’s delightful.

Meserve Head is the newest preserve in the Machias area, and now open for foot traffic. This event will take place at Centre Street Congregational Church on Wednesday.

A historic postcard of Porter Memorial Library in Machias. I love to see the stone balustrade that once stood on the western lawn, along Court Street. Fun fact, the Civil War Memorial in front is the property of the Town of Machias, but the wall leading up to it is the library’s. #howtheydiditin1893.

What I’m Celebrating

For whatever reason, it did not occur to late-19th-century architects that some library patrons might not be able to hike steep stone staircases.

And that oversight has occupied the minds of Porter Memorial Library staff and board members for a very long time. Constructed of Marshfield granite in 1893, the library has yearned for ADA compliance since, well, the ADA was passed in 1990.

For whatever reason, it’s not easy for a small, historic, and rural library to raise a seven-figure sum to address the issue.

If you’re local, you will have seen us making various attempts at creating accessibility for more than a decade but falling short. Numerous local groups have joined us in our efforts, so we have a tidy little sum set aside to kick things off. But we knew we wouldn’t be able to get all the way there with public suppers and bake sales.

Enter the possibility of a federal earmark, which we applied for last March. That means that for one full year, I’ve been joking, “The grant is in, now ‘all’ we have to do is wait on Congress!”

So when I got the email from Sen. Collins’ representative last night, I started to cry.

Last night, the U.S. Senate voted in favor of a budget previously approved by the House, and it was sent to the President’s desk for signature. Thanks to Sen. Collins, in it sits a CDS grant for Porter Memorial Library, which we will use to cover 75% of the costs of building an addition to create accessibility.

The addition will contain two accessible bathrooms, two new entrances, an elevator, and a lovely, wide staircase.

This means Machias will soon have a library that can serve everyone.

Now “all” we have to do is fundraise for the remaining money — roughly $200,000 — navigate a federal grant process, and build a new structure.

No sweat.

Stay tuned to various news outlets as they cover the project and, of course, I’ll share details here as it takes shape.

Streetcars in Calais around 1910. Postcard courtesy The Allagash Outpost.

Local Sites to Check Out

The Allagash Outpost has scads of great historical images, including of Washington County. Click the photo above to see their page.

Kelly Hinkle of The Downeast Cowboy has a fun ongoing series telling the obscure and unusual stories of Maine, including many in Washington County. Find him here on Facebook, and here on Tiktok.

Side note: What will become of Tiktok?

Love youth sports? Be sure to follow photographer Phil Roberts.

Have young people in your life? Be sure to follow this page, which I began back in 2012, and this page, run by Julie Reynolds. Both showcase family-fun activities in Washington County.

Now Available on All the Apps

I’m getting ready to kick off my next season of Way Downeast, so stay tuned for the next episode! I’ll announce it here and on our Facebook page.

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 subscription or a smartphone to hear the podcast; just click the photo below to listen for free on our website. Catch up now!

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 oatmilk latte for our troubles, we wouldn’t say no. You can donate by check to our new PO Box, by Paypal, or by Sripe!

Thanks!