Two years ago this week I took this photo of migrating geese above the Inn at Schoppee Farm, along the Machias River. According to Maine’s Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, the Machias River system supports a “rich array of wading birds, waterfowl, neotropical migrants, and grassland species [of bird].” Happy First Day of Autumn! Photo by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Traveling into Machias on Elm Street offers a brief but direct view of Bad Little Falls Park before a driver’s full attention is required to make a sharp left around the Machias Grange Hall. 

This week, driving to Machias, I saw a flash of white on the footbridge and craned my neck long enough to see our friendly local Mormon missionaries, pausing to lean their crossed arms on the footbridge handrail, gazing at the river moving below.

Considering their peaceful moment has given me a few of my own. 

In other glimpses this year I’ve noted groups of visitors strolling through the park, more than I can recall in years past, with sometimes three or four cars parked nearby, many from out of state. And of course, we have all enjoyed more time in the park since the Bad Little Falls Park Summer Concert Series began three years ago, the brain (and heart, and soul) child of Machias Town Manager Bill Kitchen, who passed away Sept. 9.

Long before he became town manager, Bill saw the immense community value of the Machias River and Bad Little Falls Park, which straddles both sides of the waterfall by the same name. The park is a signature asset, said Bill, and a semi-hidden treasure. 

But people are finding it, now.

This salt marsh fills the space between the former railway of the Downeast Sunrise Trail and Route 1. On the other side of the trail is the Machias River, where last week I saw at least half a dozen heron. Photo by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

The name for the Falls is believed to be translated from the Passamaquoddy, and they mark the end of the Machias River’s 76-mile route from Fifth Machias Lake. From the bottom of the falls onward to Machias Bay, the river is tidal.

If you’d like to interact with the river this month, there are several local and easy opportunities. Of course, Bad Little Falls Park is perfect for a chair and a book, or a Falls-side picnic. The same goes for Norm Nelson Park, a long narrow stretch of riverside grass along Route 1 in Machias, between Bar Harbor Savings Bank and Irving. You’ll see plenty of parking and picnic tables there.

Then there’s also the Machias River Preserve, an offering of the Machias-based Downeast Coastal Conservancy. I haven’t walked all of its 5.5-miles, but I’ve walked a lot of it and I can say that it’s beautiful, and also a relatively simple walk, open to a wide range of abilities.

A wide range of abilities could participate in next weekend’s Annual Bad Little Trail Run on Sunday, Sept. 29. It’s sponsored by the Downeast Coastal Conservancy and Bold Coast Runners. Those of us who run can look forward to eight beautiful miles of wood and riverside trails. Those who walk will consider 2.5 miles at a more leisurely pace. Both races begin and finish in Whitneyville, and you have a little time to make up your mind, just register by Saturday, Sept. 28, at 7:30 p.m.

And if you don’t want to run, walk, hike, or picnic, there’s always an obliging railing on the Bad Little Falls Park footbridge, just waiting for your crossed arms and a good, long gaze.

Michael Hoyt shared this image of the Machias River in Centerville above Great Falls, with fairly low water levels due to a dry September. In Washington County, fire danger is set at moderate right now, but southern Maine’s risk is higher. Photo by Michael Hoyt

Shout Out! RBCC Food Pantry Donation

If you purchased raffle tickets for the Roque Bluffs Community Center summer raffle, good work! Your contributions raised $3,000 for the Machias Area Food Pantry! Didn’t get to the raffle but still want to contribute? You can donate here.

From left to right: Nancy Lewis & Ken Warner, food pantry co-directors; Arline Smith, and Tammi Aiello of RBCC. Photo courtesy Tammi Aiello

Last week the Public House at West Branch Farms opened its doors for the first time and Butch McCall was there to capture this incredible image of the county’s newest restaurant. My husband and I went with a friend and enjoyed some deluxe and delicious dinners, drinks, and desserts. The interiors are beautiful, and I especially love the big fireplace. You can make reservations online here. Photo by Butch McCall

LAMPS Concert Series: Sounds Without Borders: A concert featuring original experimental, avant-garde and improvisational music. A celebration of the odd, weird, eclectic and extreme composers among us. Will be held today Sunday, Sept. 22 from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at Centre Street Congregational Church in Machias. A full lineup and details available here.

Machias Area Community Suppers will resume this Thursday, Sept. 26. and will continue bi-weekly through the rest of the year. Doors open at 4:30 p.m., and the meal is served from 5 to 6 p.m. Free! Held at Centre Street Congregational Church, 9 Center Street, Machias, and done in partnership with Healthy Acadia and the Machias Area Food Pantry.

Celebrate 25 years of The Cobscook Institute at their Anniversary Event from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28. Free and open to all ages. Bring your own apples to press cider, see papermaking and pottery demonstrations, or make a tintype. Enjoy a guided trail walk, lunch, and live music. Full details here.

The Calais Rod & Gun Club is hosting a Firearms Hunter Safety Course on Saturday, Sept. 28, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pre-registration is encouraged. Students aged 10-14 must be accompanied by parent or guardian during the skills and exam session. For more information, contact Bruce Fraser at 508-314-6177 or by email bruce@fraser-fps.com.

Interested in becoming a substitute teacher or educational technician? Rose M. Gaffney Elementary School in Machias is hosting a job fair at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 30, in the library at 15 Rose Gaffney Road, Machias.

Raye’s Mustard is one of Washington County’s superlatives as in, the last remaining stone-ground mustard mill in the United States., AND it’s delicious. I love that Mason’s Downeast is partnering with Raye’s to double up the local vibes in a beer-flavored mustard, and I will do my best to be there on Tuesday afternoon.

Famous Maine comedian Bob Marley is coming back to Washington County next week for two shows on Friday, Sept. 27, and another on Sunday, Sept. 29. You can buy your tickets here!

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Machias restaurants are really shining this week! Look at this stunning photo Tanya Decatur of Tanya Lea Photography captured this morning of Helen’s Restaurant, itself right along the Machias River. Incredible. Photo by Tanya Decatur