Under spectacular early summer skies, musicians could be seen setting up in the courtyard of the Lubec Brewing Company last Saturday, May 25, including guitarist Duane Ingalls. Hi Duane! We enjoyed hitting the Tide Mill Plant Sale in Whiting, then a stop at The Clutter Shop where I found some of my vintage plate pattern, and another stop at Monica’s Chocolates, where I found my sweet tooth is still in strong working order. Not that I ever doubted.

Griffin, then a boy of 10, was happily kitted out for our hike. We weren’t far down the muddy, mossy path to Dickinson’s Reach, when we spotted Bill Coperthwaite making his way uphill toward us. We all stopped to chat near one of several hammock chairs Bill had strategically hung along the 1.5-mile path he walked from his yurts to his car. 

He was 82 years old.

Bill pointed to Griffin’s walking stick, congratulating him on his good sense to carry one, and Griffin beamed. As a much younger man, Bill said, he watched a beloved mentor struggle to accept his need for a cane. Then and there, Bill resolved to always carry a walking stick, so that when it came time for him to rely on a cane, nothing would change.

Wisdom.

Later that year Griffin woke early to prepare for another hike to Dickinson’s Reach, when we learned that Bill died in a car accident the night before.

Having traveled and taught around the world, Harvard-educated Dr. Coperthwaite was a legend in homesteading and yurt circles (pun not intended, but upon consideration, accepted). And having chosen Machiasport as the site of his decades-long communal living experiment, Bill was a respected local legend, too. 

We all grieved him. 

After he died, a friend wrote her remembrances. She told how, as a guest at Dickinson’s Reach, Bill came to say goodnight.

“Here’s a bell,” he said. “If you wake up and find yourself needing something, just ring and I’ll come down and show you how to live without it.”

Today, Dickinson’s Reach, named for Bill’s favorite poet, is mostly closed to public hikes. The yurt compound Bill built over many years is private, and now used as a homestead residency. 

But a beautiful 1.5-mile public trail is open for hiking. You can find the details here. And if you’d like to learn more about Bill, you can’t go wrong with his one and only book, A Handmade Life: In Search of Simplicity.

Not able to put my hands on a photo of the kids, or Bill Coperthwaite, at Dickinson’s Reach, here instead is a photo from the same year (note walking sticks) at the end of a hike on Great Wass Island Preserve, one of the most beautiful hikes in Washington County, which is saying something.

Looking for a mini-adventure close to home, the entire Dedmon family (minus the cat) visited Maine Coast Heritage Trust’s newest local preserve yesterday. The Meserve Head Preserve in Machias covers 69 acres between Elm Street and the Machias River, and contains one family cemetery, where two members of the historic Burnham family are buried.

Directions: Leaving Machias on Elm Street toward Machiasport, you’ll find the trailhead and parking lot on the left, not far past Maine Wild Blueberry.

The trail features three of the oldest white pines I’ve ever seen, anywhere. They’re not marked, but you cannot miss them. There’s also a scenic wooded meadow near an old cellar hole, and at the very end of the out-and-back trail, a tall view across the Machias River to Machias.

The hike isn’t long, only about a mile in total, but the trails are well groomed, and features only a moderate climb. I wouldn’t try it with a sprained ankle, but it should be doable for most walkers.

A view to Machias from Meserve Head, the site of at least one original settlers’ homestead, and a beautifully preserved Meserve and Burnham family cemetery.

We don’t expect parades to be mournful events, but a Memorial Day parade should have an element of remembrance. The Machias Memorial Day Parade struck just the right balance between festivity and solemnity. You can watch it here. I especially enjoyed the young buglers, one in his baseball uniform.

If you haven’t been to West Branch Farm in Machias lately, you’ll see lots of big changes. Not nearby? Check some of them out here.

Last Friday we attended a wine tasting at The French Cellar in Machias, hosted by the cellar’s new owners, Emily and Chad Fitzsimmons. We loved the music provided by Jessica Rushton and Alan Cook. You can watch their tribute to fellow musician Jenny Penny here. Note smiling Jenny Penny by the window!

A brief sun shower provided the Machias area with a spate of rainbows last Friday. You can see my photo here, and scroll through the comments for so many other great pics.

Helen’s Restaurant shared this ethereal photo of the Machias Boat Ramp moorings, along with a poem by Carl Sandburg.

These photos by the Maine Veterans Homes Machias will bring a smile to your face, as residents put the sunny weather to great use on bicycles.

Last year was the premier of the Liberty Ball at Margaretta Days. Get your colonial-era dancing shoes ready because it’s back for a second year! See the full schedule of events a few sections below.

The next Machias Area Community Supper is set for Thursday, June 6, at Centre Street Congregational Church, Center Street, Machias. It’s free, and a program of Machias Food Connections. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. and supper is served from 5 to 6 p.m. The menu changes each week to make use of donations from area businesses, but it’s always delicious.

The Eastport Arts Center will host a Meet & Greet with Irish Fiddler Gerry O’Connor from 7 to 8 p.m. this Thursday, June 6.

First Friday Art Walks are back, courtesy of the Machias Arts Council! Make plans to attend next Friday, June 7, at Norm Nelson Park.

The Friends of Porter Memorial Library Annual Seed and Plant Sale will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 8, on the grounds of the library, 92 Court Street, Machias. The event will also feature a raffle, bake sale, book sale, yard sale, and general revelry!

The next Machias Valley Airport Fly-In Pancake Breakfast is scheduled from 7 to 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 15. The perfect way to fuel up for Margaretta Days, or your next flight! (Airplane not required.)

The Margaretta Days Festival & Craft Fair will be back Friday and Saturday, June 14 & 15, on the grounds of the University of Maine at Machias. See the full schedule below.

In Milbridge, WHRL will begin a new Tai Chi class on June 15. All the details are here. While you’re in town, do not miss their incredible work with community gardens, and the spectacular Milbridge Commons.

The Crush Cancer Lobster Crawl 5k is back in Jonesboro, this year set for Saturday, June 22. This amazing and energetic event draws huge crowds thanks in large part to the passion of its founder, Rebekah Cox Hodgson, and legions of devoted volunteers. Go for the walk, go for the run, or just go for the great energy. You can sign up to participate here.

The Milbridge Community Arts Center & Theater has four big events in June! See the image below.