Paul Sylvain

In something of an annual rite of passage each fall, Washington County’s department heads and representatives met with the county’s budget advisory committee on Oct. 3, to present their arguments for a proposed budget that is up even more than first thought.

Paul Sylvain

Noted economist, policy analyst, and retired University of Maine at Machias professor Jonathan Reisman met with Washington County Commissioners John Crowley and Vinton Cassidy last week to seek their support for a bill to limit the amount of public land being taken in Washington County.

“As I think you know,” began Reisman, “the state developed a climate action plan four years ago. Governor Mills campaigned to do so, and she did.”

It’s the month for a good ghost story, and a Maine author has the perfect tale: an account of North America’s first documented ghost, a specter that appeared in 1799 in Downeast Maine.

Michelle Shores’ book, The Gathering Room, concerns the haunting of the coastal town of Sullivan by Nelly Butler, the young wife of Capt. George Butler. She had died in childbirth three years before but returned in ghostly garb to urge her husband to marry another woman.

The Witches of Eastport, presented by Eastport ArtFests and Eastport Parks & Recreation, returns Saturday, October 26, with a dazzling array of experiences for all ages. From noon to 3 p.m., art and other activities, most of them offer for free, will be offered along Water Street, with Wizard Wand making at Bingville, Tarot Readings at Downeast Creations, and a Ghostly Chalk-Walk with Sweeties Downeast.

On October 10th, Barbara Dore and Seana MacKeldey, language and culture teachers at Sipayik Elementary School, and Lee Francis, principal at Indian Island School, presented at the 55th Annual National Indian Education Association (NIEA) Convention in Palm Springs, California, with their session Centering Wabanaki History, Culture, and Life in Every Classroom. They shared the history of LD 291 An Act to Require Teaching of Maine Native American History and Culture, which passed in 2001.

Perry Elementary School held its Haunted Trail last Saturday, October 19. The evening included a bounce house, face painting, and more.  (PES photo)

Pembroke Library volunteers have been busy preparing treat bags for this year’s Trunk or Treat event at the Pembroke American Legion on Thursday, October 31, from 4-6 p.m. The volunteers always have a spooktacular time and look forward to seeing everyone.  (Pembroke Library photo)

(from Sandra Smith's Princeton news column)

Sandra Smith

Jayna Smith

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On Sunday, Oct. 27, a festive scene took place at the Woodland High School parking lot as families flocked to the Trunk-or-Treat event hosted by the school’s JMG program and the Baileyville Recreation Department. With around 25 decked-out vehicles lining the lot, attendees encountered a parade of creative, spooky, and well-themed displays that brought local businesses, organizations, and residents together to celebrate Halloween in style.