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 "Garden Tractor Pulls" Photo by Judy Craig Consulting at Piscatiqus Valley Fair 2010 -- Click for lots of photos
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PRESQUE ISLE, ME – Today, Congressman Mike Michaud praised the announcement of United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack that Maine will receive Recovery Act funding for projects in Dexter, Norway and Indian Township. Additional information on the projects can be found below. “These USDA investments are very important to rural communities in Maine,” said Michaud. “They not only help improve community infrastructure, but they also create much needed jobs.” The funding announced for Maine today is part of $242.3 million being funded nationwide through the USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Program, which is being matched with $58.4 million from other sources. Funding of individual recipients is contingent upon their meeting the terms of the loan or grant agreement. “I am so pleased that USDA Rural Development is funding these vital community projects. Through these grants Rural Development is helping to ensure that rural Maine communities have access to local and nutritious food, supporting local agriculture, and providing assistance that will help meet health care needs,” said Virginia Manuel, State Director of USDA Rural Development in Maine. $40,000 -- Dexter Regional Development Corporation -- the funding will be used to purchase equipment for a farmers' market. The Dexter Community Farmer’s Project is an initiative in the Town of Dexter to support local farmers by opening a year-round farmer’s market to provide farmers another avenue to sell their food products and promote healthy eating. This project will market food items such as fruits, vegetables, dairy, and meat. This project will also feature a kitchen component that will have a variety of uses such as to host an array of workshops for the farmers and the community, as well as, hold workshops and classes which will include, but are not limited to: cooking classes, food preparation seminars, and farmer demonstrations. $110,600 -- Indian Township Passamaquoddy Reservation Health Center -- the funding will be used for renovations to the health center, including a new roof, repairs to leaking foundations, and grading & paving the driveway. $84,000 -- The Progress Center, Inc. in Norway -- the funding will be used to renovate a community soup kitchen. By Sharon Kiley Mack of the BDN Staff: MACHIAS, Maine — A grand agricultural experiment — a Maine farmer-owned milk company — is close to folding and will suspend milk production this weekend as its principals scramble to find investment funding. MOOMilk, which stands for Maine’s Own Organic Milk, processed milk Wednesday but will suspend production Sunday, as a variety of reasons have combined to force the business toward closure. Only skim and 1 percent milk are still being processed since the company’s cash flow is so low that it cannot purchase 2 percent and whole milk cartons. “We are out of money,” David Bright, MOOMilk’s secretary and one of its founders, said this week. Although the company began with 10 member farmers from Washington, Aroostook and Kennebec counties, that number has fallen to six, threatening the company’s ability to produce enough milk to remain sustainable. Two farmers retired; another sold his herd; and a fourth opted to switch to conventional milk from organic. Economic pressures also took a toll: The retail price of organic milk can be twice as much as conventional milk. MOOMilk was formed last year after Hood LLC, citing a soft market, did not renew its contracts with 10 Maine organic milk producers. There was no other organic producer willing to pick up the farms, so the farmers banded together and created MOOMilk. Smiling Hill Farm agreed to process the milk — 17,000 or more pounds a day — and Oakhurst Dairy in Portland has been distributing it to more than 49 stores in Maine and New Hampshire. “We have less than $1,400 left in the bank account,” Bright said Wednesday. He said the company was making enough to pay the farmers but not enough to pay its overhead. MOOMilk owes money to the hauler, the processor and the distributor. “We’ve just not been able to produce or sell enough to make a profit,” Bright said. As for the remaining farmers — three in Aroostook County and three in Washington County — Bright said they are paying the trucker, Jason Schoppee of Holden, out of their own milk checks to deliver their product to conventional dairies. He said the Aroostook County farmers had an opportunity to ship to another market but they were aware that if they did so, no one would service the Washington County farms. The three — in Edmunds, Charlotte and Perry — are too far out of the conventional trucking loop for it to be profitable to haul their milk. In an act of solidarity, the three Aroostook farmers agreed to stick by the Washington County farmers while a solution is being worked on. “This is a stressful time,” Aaron Bell of Tide Mill Farm in Edmunds admitted Wednesday. “We are all hopeful we can work something out.” Bright said company officials have been working with the Maine Department of Agriculture, the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, FAME, and state Sen. Kevin Raye, R-Eastport, to find a solution to the cash flow problem, including seeking private investors. As recently as Aug. 1, Bright was optimistic about sales but acknowledged then that an additional 3,000 gallons a week needed to be sold to put the company in the black.  Check out the hundreds of photos and results from the 2010 fair! In appreciation for your support during our time on the Jamboree we are doing a Request Show. If you have a favorite Mountaineer or bluegrass song, shout it out and we'll give it a go. Showtime 7 pm, Admission. By Donation. Door Prizes, 50/50 Raffle & Refreshments FMI: 672-4481, 277-4331, or 277-3365 Date: Thursday, September 16th 9:00 AM-3:00PM Location: Brownville, ME Presented by: Contech Construction Products and The Maine Forest Service Additional Sponsors: Town of Brownville, Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District, Domtar Inc, USFWS Gulf of Maine Costal Program. Bottomless stream crossings that do not restrict the natural stream channel are generally considered less likely to block the passage of fish and other aquatic organisms than traditional closed bottom culverts. There are many open bottom stream crossing options available to towns and landowners, including bridges, open bottom arch culverts and three sided box culverts. Participants at this workshop will learn about the importance of maintaining stream connectivity at stream crossings, bottomless structure products currently available, resources available to help managers identify problem crossings, prioritize crossings for replacement, and some places to look for grant opportunities to help fund crossing upgrades. We will visit a site where a three-sided box culvert installation is in progress. Three sided boxes are an option where an open bottom culvert is desirable but the road profile is too low to accommodate an open bottom arch. Public works departments, municipal officials, foresters and road association representatives are encouraged to attend. The workshop is free and lunch will be provided. SPACE IS LIMITED and registration is required. To register and for directions to the workshop email Keith Kanoti at keith.kanoti@maine.gov or call 207-287-1073. A HARDHAT IS REQUIRED FOR THE FIELD SITE VISIT.
By Christopher Cousins of the BDN Staff: NEWPORT, Maine — Residents concerned about pollution flowing south from Corinna pressured an official with the Environmental Protection Agency to rethink pulling out of the area that some say was once the most polluted waterway in Maine. Edward Hathaway, the EPA’s project manager for the clean-up of the former Eastland Woolen Mill site in Corinna, spent more than an hour Wednesday night trying to convince about 30 people at a meeting of the Newport selectmen that further monitoring of the East Branch of the Sebasticook River isn’t necessary because the level of toxins there are not a threat to humans. Hathaway’s assurances didn’t convince several residents that the toxins embedded in the river mud wouldn’t eventually find their way to Sebasticook Lake. Some residents, citing hunters and fishermen who frequent the area for 60 or more days per year, suggested that the EPA might be mistaken in its belief that no humans spend enough time there to suffer the ill effects of toxins dumped into the river by the Eastland Woolen Mill and other factories formerly located upstream. “We feel like we’ve always been getting dumped on,” said Board of Selectman Chairman Thomas Breitweg. “We’d like monitoring to be done at least once a year. I don’t think that’s too much to ask. There’s no money being spent in Newport, and we’re getting all the problems.” The EPA has spent some $50 million cleaning up the portion of river located between downtown Corinna and Sebasticook Lake in Newport. Even more has been spent in Corinna to remove the former woolen mill and thousands of cubic yards of contaminated soil. Hathaway said scientific data collected over the years have revealed only trace amounts of harmful chemicals in the riverbed — far less than is harmful to humans. Furthermore, said Hathaway, those chemicals aren’t likely to move unless there is an unprecedented natural disaster that moves a huge amount of silt and soil toward Newport. “If that ever happens, you need to let us know,” said Hathaway. “What it comes down to is the constraints we all deal with to do our jobs. We always have more needs than we have funding.” Maxine Pare, president of the Sebasticook Lake Association, said she remembers the days when the river and lake couldn’t support life at all. “I’m pleased that it’s so much better than when I was a kid,” she said. Hathaway said a sustained monitoring program that would yield valuable data would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars a year, which the EPA is unlikely to pay for because the pollution doesn’t meet certain thresholds. However, he told selectmen that he would conduct a risk assessment for the town that will determine the likelihood of the situation changing for the worst. Hathaway will present the results of that assessment at a future meeting. In unrelated business, selectmen rejected a proposal by the Sebasticook Valley Community Center board of trustees to lease sports and recreation equipment to the town until April 2012 for $2,000. The town has taken over a range of recreation programs after selectmen decided to withhold $100,000 in funding from the community center earlier this year amid a criminal investigation into funds missing from the center. As of Wednesday, the town took over the lease of the former Armory building on North Street, which was the community center’s headquarters. PENQUIS - There are many things that home owners and renters can do to cut the amount of fuel oil and electricity that are used to heat and power the home. Three sessions will walk you through understanding where you are using heat and electricity, compare different fuel sources to heat your home, learning low cost and no cost energy conservation techniques that can done to reduce costs, and comparing different alternative home heating and power sources. Federal and state energy conservation and alternatives incentives will also be discussed. Those attending these sessions will be able to borrow some energy conservation items available from the Extension Office including (battery powered caulking gun, battery powered drill/screw driver, heat detecting gun) to help assess energy losses and install materials purchased by the participant to reduce those loses. Each session participants will make and take home an item that will help them cut their heat or energy use. Cost to attend this series of programs is $5 with scholarships available. This program will be offered Thursdays September 16th, 23rd, and 30th from 6 pm to 7:30 pm in Dover-Foxcroft. Sponsored by University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Piscataquis Valley Adult Education Cooperative, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and Efficiency Maine. To sign up for a session contact PVAEC at 48 Morton Ave., Suite M, Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426 phone 564-6525 or http://tinyurl.com/homeenergyclass or UMaine Extension at 165 East Main St., Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426 phone 564-3301 or in Maine 1-800-287-1491. GUILFORD - Ever wished you felt confident enough to head out paddling a kayak, hiking a mountain trail or fishing by yourself for a day? Do you look at your back yard and wonder if you could be doing more for the wildlife that lives there, or have you gone hiking and wished you understood more about the plants and animals you saw? Ever cooked a less-than-stellar meal over the campfire? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then the Becoming an Outdoors Woman program is for you! The B.O.W. program is sponsored by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, and the volunteer Friends of Maine B.O.W. organization. The program is designed specifically to give women a comfortable, non-competitive environment in which to learn new outdoor skills or hone existing skills. Each September, B.O.W. hosts an Introductory Skills Weekend. This year's event takes place from Friday, September 17 to Sunday, September 19 at Camp Caribou on Pattee Pond in Winslow. Community Fitness in Guilford is helping to spread the word about this program. "Being active outdoors contributes to good health year around. It'd be great to get a group of women to go to B.O.W., fill a bunkhouse, learn some new skills, hike by the pond in the sunshine, and enjoy the campfire at night. I'm looking forward to taking some of their unique classes and especially the ropes course. The zip line into the pond is a blast to watch but I'm not sure I'm up for it…..maybe!" said Gayle Worden of Community Fitness. Participants can choose from 36 classes spread out over the three days, with the first session held Friday afternoon and the last on Sunday morning. Most classes are hands-on, and a lot of fun! Learn to be a more observant and educated hiker, with improved survival skills. Hone firearms knowledge and skills while obtaining your hunter safety certification. Become a stronger, more efficient paddler with the skills to get yourself out of the soup if you take a spill! Classes also include archery, ATVs, forest ecology, map and compass, fly casting, fly tying, knot tying, a ropes course and much more. Camp Caribou is located on a peninsula on Pattee Pond. Introductory Skills Weekend is summer camp for big kids! Sleep in heated bunk-style cabins with bathrooms and showers. Hike the trails or go sit by the pond between classes. Delicious meals are served cafeteria style in the main lodge three times a day, and snacks and beverages are available throughout the day. Because the instructors donate their time, B.O.W. is able to offer three days of classes, lodging, meals and fun for a modest fee. And because the program wants every woman to be able to participate, scholarships are available for those who can't afford full price. For B.O.W. information and registration materials, visit www.mainebow.com. Or call Gayle Worden, 876-4813 or Sheila Grant, 876-4915. Notice is hereby given that the Dexter Town Council will hold a Public Hearing on Thursday, September 9, 2010 at 7:00 P.M. in the Town Council Chambers to consider the following: 1. Ordinance C2010-11 ATV Access BE IT ORDAINED, that the Dexter Town Council hereby adds Section 11.33 to Chapter 11; Streets and Roads to the Dexter Code of Ordinances to read as follows: Article I. Municipal Roads Section 11.33 ATV access. Since Maine law limits travel on public roads for ATVs to a maximum of 1500 feet between recognized trails unless a municipality grants exceptions on municipal roads, and since the Town of Dexter campground is located beyond this distance from recognized trails, the Crockett Road from the campground until the junction with the Number Ten Road, and the Number Ten Road until the junction with the Shepard Road are to be considered as ATV user access roads, and the operation of ATVs over these sections of road will be allowed. 2. Application for Victualer's License from Michael Nelson dba Nelsons Variety at 29 Spring Street 3. Renewal of Automobile Graveyard/Junkyard Permits for the following:
Shelley L. Watson, Town Clerk
WHIP is a voluntary program that encourages establishment of high quality wildlife habitats that support wildlife populations of National, State, Tribal, and local significance. Through WHIP, the NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to landowners and others to develop upland, wetland, riparian, and aquatic habitat areas on their property. Applications for WHIP are accepted at your local USDA Service Center on a continuous basis. Applicants must then complete a conservation plan with the assistance of NRCS conservationists. Applications which are received by September 1, 2010 will be considered for funding in Fiscal Year 2011. Producers should call or visit their local NRCS office located at the USDA Service Center, 42 Engdahl Drive, Dover-Foxcroft to submit an application and complete the necessary paperwork to establish their eligibility. General program information is available on the Maine NRCS website at www.me.nrcs.usda.gov. “NRCS is committed to providing conservation tools and resources to help Maine landowners ensure that their land remains healthy and productive,” said NRCS District Conservationist Dave Power. “The NRCS field staff in Piscataquis County are available to help landowners develop a conservation plan to address their wildlife resource needs. We encourage landowners to inquire about WHIP and our other conservation programs.”
GARLAND - Garland Grange again sponsors the Soap Box Derby during Garland Days. The race is scheduled for Sunday, September 12 at 2:15 pm, with registration up until 2 pm. This can be a home built car or one made from a kit. There are three age classes ranging from age 8 to adult. For more information or a copy of the official rules, please contact Ernest Rollins at 717-7057. Garland Days includes a variety of Children's activities
The Road (Foot) Race will still take place at 8 am on Saturday, September 11. The Garland Days Committee is always looking for volunteers to help with many different events. This family fair would not happen if it wasn't for the many volunteers involved. If you are interested in volunteering during Garland Days Weekend or for more information regarding any of children's games and educational events, please contact Jim Bunn at 924-3925. The Garland Days Commitee meets Saturday mornings at 9:00 AM at the town office. All are welcome to attend. We encourage everyone to "Get Cookin'!" TOWN COUNCIL (3) 3-YEAR TERMS (Sherburne , Craig & Robichaud) DEXTER UTILITY DISTRICT (2) 3-YEAR TERMS (Cushman & Kaufman) SAD #46 BOARD OF DIRECTORS (2) 3-YEAR TERMS (Ross & Sickles) HAD #4 DIRECTORS (1) 2-YEAR TERM (Tempesta) Papers must be filed with the Town Clerk no later than 4:30 P.M. Monday, September 20, 2010. Not less than 25 signatures and no more than 100 signatures of registered Dexter voters are required for each candidate to be nominated.
NEWPORT, Maine — Anna Sunlight and the North Country Intertribal Pow-wow Committee will be host to this year's Intertribal Pow-wow on Sept. 4, 5 and 6, at 934 Elm St. The gate will open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 4. Activities start at 10:30 a.m. with Dail "Dragonfly" Martin, who will play her flute and sing. Robert "Kunnaway" Turner will tell stories at 11 a.m. Grand Entry of American Indians will begin at noon, with intertribal dancing at 12:30 p.m. At 1 p.m. a tomahawk throwing tournament will be open to everyone age 16 and older. An entrance fee of $1 will give participants three throws to win prizes. At 2:30 p.m., world-renowned storyteller Donna Augustine will share her Mi'kmaq family stories. Intertribal dancing will resume at 3 p.m. There will be daily giveaways at 4:30 p.m. Closing ceremonies will start at 4:45 p.m. The gate will reopen 7-9 p.m. Saturday with a concert featuring Timbered Lake and night dancing 7-9 p.m. Sunday. Both events are free and open to the public The emcee will be James Augustine of New Brunswick, and the featured drums will be Sacred Spirits Drum, Mountain Spirit Singers, Indian Bay Singers, Red Hawk Medicine Drum, Wind and Stone, Lone Wolf Singers and Two Feathers Drum. Admission is $5 for adults, free for children younger than 18 entering with a paying adult. The fee for elders is $3 a day. Limited camping with no hookups is free with paid daily admission. There will be free parking and valet parking for elders and people with disabilities. No drugs or alcohol are allowed on the grounds. To volunteer or for more information e-mail ncountrypowwow1@yahoo.com.  Have a Club, Church, Town and/or other Event??? Add your UPCOMING EVENT free of charge! Email Editor@TheDailyME.com Note: this is NOT the safest possible route to take, but it is a good service and much better than never running a virus check. To check your computer, go to housecall.antivirus.com Many people think that if they have a virus program on their system they are safe, BUT you are only as safe as your latest update. Yes, you do have to update your virus program frequently. (I do it everyday!) Download a FREE virus program that works well at www.free.avg.com The Daily ME is on-line only, non-profit newspaper and a one-woman operation with the help of contributing writers and photographers. If you would like to contribute to The Daily Me, we welcome press releases, contributing editor's young and old. Send your Upcoming local events, news, Town reports, club news, school news or other items that you have in mind. If you have pictures you would like to share with friends and relatives far and near, please contact The Daily Me. We encourage feedback and suggestions from our readers. I hope that The Daily ME gives you information that keeps you in touch with home! 
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