Annie Lamb of Machias holding her pet chicken Peefers McGonigle Magee. The friendly duo was seen at last week’s Bad Little Falls Summer Concert featuring the musical duo Cook ‘n’ Lamb. Photo by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

If we had not driven into town yesterday, we would not have seen the sun.

In Machias, it was a bright and beautiful afternoon, but heading back toward the coast, we could see where all the clouds were being stored, and this morning was no different. Several of my neighbors have publicly lamented the fog today, including one fisherman who said he had “fog depression” and would be, therefore, two hours late to work.

It is getting old.

One part of the 200-degree view of Little Kennebec Bay as seen from West Branch Farm’s Foss Point Deck, the site of Yoga with Violet, which I attended yesterday to enjoy a good hour of yoga, and the sound of eagles flying above the water, too. Photo by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

For me, there’s something else in the air besides water. This week I left my six-year post as editor of the Machias Valley News Observer, a local weekly with a rich history stretching back to 1852. As an editor, I have held certain guiding principles, including the paramount role of a newspaper to deliver facts with fairness and neutrality. But I also worked to imbue the newspaper’s pages with the inspiring, unique, and celebration-worthy things I noticed in my day-to-day life around the county, just because I enjoyed it.

Gratuitous photo of one cool cherry-red Pontiac GTO spotted in Machias this week. Photo by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Moving forward, you’ll still find my journalism in other publications, but The Washington County Almanac, both here and on Facebook, will be a place where I write about the people, stories, history, events, and ways of life that delight me Way Downeast.

I’m looking forward to it.

Outside Claire’s Bakery in Lubec. Photo by Beth Damon

Though today I can’t see further east than my front lawn, if you had been in the easternmost place in the nation yesterday, Lubec, you might have seen this line of hungry patrons completely unfazed by the fog. They’re waiting for their chance to purchase the extraordinary baked goods of Claire’s Bakery, open only Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon. You can reach Claire’s by calling (207) 615-4208.

The exquisite pastries of Claire’s Bakery in Lubec. Photo by Beth Damon.

Lubec photographer Beth Damon snapped these wonderful photos of the expectant customers and their ultimate rewards. You can learn more about the easternmost bakery in America in this short video from a Downeast YouTube channel, Steve’s Theme Park. Claire’s Bakery is located at 2 Dewey Mowry Street. 

Just look for the line.

One of the many things that make Bad Little Falls so unique is its variety of spaces and levels, like these two, where concert goers sit and perch to watch bands at the Bad Little Falls Park Summer Concert Series. Photo by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Here’s a short list of some marvelous events happening around the county in the coming weeks. 

The Puckerbrush Primitive Gathering is underway now in Columbia. Tonight, Saturday, there will be a potluck dinner followed by a bonfire and storytelling. It will be underway tomorrow, Sunday, July 16, too.

Machias Bay Chamber Concerts kicks off its 53rd season on Tuesday, July 18, with Brian Nadeau and his big band. And there are more to come! Schedule at the link under their name.

A Summer Craft Fair at the Jonesboro Grange will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 22, in honor of our local first responders. The Grange is located on Route 1 in Jonesboro. That truly is all the direction you need.

The Bad Little Falls Park “Sounds Like This” Summer Concert Series will continue every Thursday in July and August. Last week we enjoyed the big sounds of duo Cook ‘n’ Lamb. Next week, get ready for The Milk & Honey Rebellion. The concerts run from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Every week in Milbridge, make plans to attend Friday Night Live, free concerts along the ocean on the Milbridge Theatre Outdoor Stage. Coming up next is the Darlin’ Corey Trio on Friday, July 21. The stage is located at the Milbridge Town Marina. Concerts start at 6 p.m. and open mic night starts at 6 p.m. Bring a chair, buy some snacks there!

Liberty Hall in Machiasport will hold its annual summer open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 22. Liberty Hall has a rich local history, and it’s beautiful to boot. Make plans to stop by and see where past Machiasporters attended town meetings, town suppers, town concerts, and played indoor basketball, too.

The 46th Annual Machias Wild Blueberry Festival is happening fog, rain, or shine August 18-20. I never miss it.

Did you know…

…that some Downeast clammers rake clams when the tide is out, and some pull them when the tide is shallow? Until I did this story with Machiasport clammer — and now harbormaster — David Cale, I did not. Read all about it in this piece I did last year for the Working Waterfront, a publication of the Island Institute. Photo by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Last week I promised you the story of one local man’s experience as part of Team USA, judging the World Sheep Shearing Championships in Scotland last month. I apologize, but that story is delayed, but stay tuned! In this photo, a Scottish landscape is dotted with sheep, not unlike the fields alongside Machias’ Kennebec Road. Photo by David Craven

We love covering Washington County, Maine, so much that we’d honestly do it for free. In fact, most of the time, we do. But if you wanted to buy us an oat milk macchiato for our troubles, we wouldn’t say no.