Bad Little Falls Park in Machias is well-known locally, but in a way, always a hidden treasure because it’s difficult to see from the road, straddling the Machias River and the twin waterfalls that give Machias its name. Here, the river is seen from the metal footbridge that carries visitors from one side of the river, and park, to the other. I visited last week for the Bad Little Falls Summer Concert Series kick-off featuring Cook n’ Lamb. Details on upcoming concerts are below. You’ll also have a chance to dance in the park at the Wild Blueberry Ball next month.

Annie Lamb is a chicken whisperer. When I first met Annie, who lives in Machias, I also met her beloved feathered friend Rosa. Now that Rosa is no longer with us, Peefers the chicken is Annie’s constant companion, walking amiably along as Annie visits, or perching on her shoulder, or sitting on the picnic table nearby, sporting the latest in chicken diaper fashion or walking amiably on her leash.

Though I’ve only had coffee with Peefers, short for Peefers McGonigle McGhee, once, I would describe her temperament as loyal, and calm, perhaps with a smattering of impishness thrown in.

Or peevishness. I’m not sure.

Peefers and Annie were at last Thursday’s kick-off of the Bad Little Falls Summer Concert Series, where Annie’s father, Gary Lamb, was one half of the on-stage duo, Cook n’ Lamb, together with another popular local musician, Alan Cook.

This is the fourth year of the concert series, organized by long-time concert promoter Bill Kitchen, who also happens to be the Machias Town Manager.

One thing we’ve learned in four years is that the park’s stage and dance floor, situated alongside two roaring waterfalls, is incomparable. And that Thursdays seem to have more than their fair share of rain.

Make plans to attend one of the next eight concerts, and before you go, check the Machias Town Office page for cancelations.

Continue reading below…

Annie Lamb and her pet Peefers the chicken pose with their blue ribbon, won in the Eastport 4th of July’s Most Unusual Pet Contest. Wherever Annie goes with Peefers, and that’s everywhere she goes, people are drawn to learn more about her chicken pet. For the contest, Annie used cherry juice to tint Peefers tail feathers and painted her toenails red, white, and blue. Peefers is so sweet, that I am considering becoming a vegetarian. Photo by Gary Lamb

Walking through Hannaford yesterday I was occasionally struck by the summery scent of sunblock and looked up to see unfamiliar faces, filling their carts with the kinds of foods we cook around campfires, or warm up quickly for hungry swimmers, after a day on the lake.

A pleasant reminder that all around us, people are on vacation.

My own schedule is stacked high with work and activities that pool in the summer months when the weather is less likely to stop us from meeting.

Last week, we hosted the annual meeting of the Porter Memorial Library Association on the library’s beautiful back lawn, and this year, I followed through on my insistence that a summer library meeting be accompanied by dessert. I brought strawberry shortcakes, baked by Angie’s Comfort Kitchen, and as you can see, their scent drew everyone to the picnic table.

Don’t worry. We didn’t share, though I was tempted.

Last week the Downeast Coastal Conservancy held its annual meeting, open to the public, in its flagship Machias property, Middle River Park. I could see the festive white tents from across the way, in the Dunkin’ drive-through, where my youngest and I can be found most afternoons.

It’s the best Dunkin’ in the Northeast. And Middle River Park is an extraordinary offering to have smack in the middle of town. Best kite flying spot for miles.

Next week, we’ll host the annual meeting of the University of Maine at Machias Board of Visitors, on which I serve as the chair. It’s an advisory board, which means that we do not vote, but if you have feedback or questions about our local university, you can pass those to me, or any member of the BOV.

Last week I (finally) finished writing the annual sponsorship letter for the 47th Annual Machias Wild Blueberry Festival. Those go in the mail tomorrow. If you are part of a business or organization that would like to support the festival and promote your entity, too, just reply to this email, and I’ll send you a list of sponsorship opportunities.

It’s a great way to get in front of 15,000 people.

And if you have time to help staff the festival information booth, drop me a line, too. I need more helpers, especially on Saturday and Sunday, August 17th and 18th. Here are the Top 10 Reasons why you should sign up!

You don’t need to live here to volunteer. It’s a wonderful way to connect with the local community, and we can teach you everything you need to know in about 3 minutes.

I promise.

-In truth, I can’t personally recommend Blue Butterfield’s beautiful new book, Maine, a Love Story, because I haven’t bought it yet, but I’m completely persuaded by Carl Little’s review in a recent edition of The Working Waterfront. And so it is now on my To Be Read list. (TBR, as the kids on TikTok say, or as they call that neighborhood of TikTok, BookTok.)

-Another on my TBR list but this one is an article about the big blueberry dome on Route 1, now the Wild Blueberry Heritage Center. My youngest and I used to have an August tradition of playing mini-golf there. Sigh, mini-golf is no more, but the current use of the museum is strong enough that I’ve made my peace with it. Read the story in Downeast Magazine here.

-Two people have recommended this article to me, featured in the most recent edition of Smithsonian Magazine.

-I never miss a chance to recommend Rich Bard’s excellent travel guide, Beyond Acadia: Exploring the Bold Coast of Down East Maine. It was the first guide written about Washington County, ever, and it is excellent.

-Two different people have recommended this article in the New York Times, about a Maine woman who wanted to put a fence around her yard. You can read, “I Put Up a Fence In Maine” here.

We are nearing the zenith of our summer, and the events are coming on fast and furious. It may seem like too much, but remember — there’s plenty of time to sit at home next winter.

Thank you to Robert, a reader in South Addison, for sharing his online calendar of local events. Make a bookmark and visit often! It includes many events from western and central Washington County. Covering the center and also the eastern edge, bookmark Artsipelago for another fantastic, often-updated listing of local events.

The 2024 Bad Little Falls Summer Concert Series continues on Thursday, July 25. Admission is free. Bring a picnic or your dancing shoes or a camp chair, or all three! Runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Bad Little Falls Park, Machias. For more information, call the Machias Town Office at 255-6621.

Upcoming Events continued below…

Many locals grew up attending movies at the former Milbridge Theatre and now that they have their new screen, just look at how the rebuilt theatre is bringing that opportunity back! August’s schedule is chockablock with speakers, films, and musical performances. And it’s truly a beautiful space that provides the full movie-going experience, including a concession stand. Stay in touch with their offerings here.

You’ve driven by it, or you’ve sent your children to a school of the same name, but you probably don’t know all that you could know about it. Learn more about the history of the Fort O’Brien State Historic Site at the Machiasport Historical Society’s special event, Fort O’Brien: The Untold History from 1808-1815. The event will be held from 7-8 p.m. on Monday, July 22.

I can’t believe I’ve never attended this series, and I intend to rectify that this year, when the 54th season of the Machias Bay Chamber Concerts Summer Series kicks off at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 23, at Centre Street Congregational Church in Machias. The next two concerts will happen on Tuesday, July 30, and Tuesday, August 6. Details at link.

Milbridge Days — an extravaganza of summer Americana! — kicks off on Thursday, July 25. Find the full, gobsmacking schedule of events here. I’m especially excited to see its Grand Parade.

A public supper to benefit Jen Feeney will be held Saturday, Aug. 3, at the Rose M. Gaffney School in Machias. The event will feature a spaghetti supper and auction, with proceeds to benefit Jen Feeney in support of her upcoming cancer treatments.

The next Whitneyville Library Public Supper will be held Saturday, Aug. 3, and will have pork roast on the menu. Suppers begin at 5 p.m. and are held at the Hillgrove Community Center, Whitneyville.

Get your tickets now for the Blueberry Festival Musical Comedy, this year titled, Jeoparody! If I have said it once, I’ve said it too many times — how many places in the world celebrate their annual harvest with a custom-written musical comedy? I’m going to go out on a limb and say NONE except Machias. This year is the second year the comedy has been written and directed by local music legend Gene Nichols. The show runs Wednesday through Saturday (Wednesday being a sort of dress rehearsal), Aug. 14-17. It does sell out — buy your tickets now.

Cardinal flowers, a native form of lobelia, are a seasonal delight for those of us lucky enough to spend time along Washington County’s rivers, like Michael Hoyt, who took this photo on the Machias, and like my son Griffin, who is currently working full-time along the Narraguagus. You can read about Project Share, and Griffin, in a story by RJ Heller to be printed in an upcoming issue of the Quoddy Tides.