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One of the most meaningful stops during Garrett Mason’s Rural Maine Revival Tour was the gathering at the Milkhouse Cafe in Machias. I was there.
Sitting down with local families, business owners, farmers and community members was a reminder of what makes Down East Maine special: The resilience of its people. Washington County has faced its share of economic challenges over the years, but the people of this region continue to work hard, support one another, and take pride in their communities and way of life.
The conversations focused on the issues rural families and businesses face every day: affordability, jobs, energy costs and the future of Maine’s rural communities. What I noticed about Garrett is that he genuinely listened. He took the time to hear directly from the people living these realities instead of simply shouting at us what he thought the answers were.
Too often, Down East Maine feels forgotten by state government, but Garrett’s message throughout the tour was different: Rural Maine matters, and the hardworking people who built these communities deserve a voice in Augusta.
Washington County is full of resilient, proud people who care deeply about Maine and want to see their communities thrive for generations to come. Garrett Mason’s visit gave me hope because he clearly sees the value of places like this and believes rural Maine still has a future worth fighting for.
Rural Maine matters, and when rural Maine thrives, the rest of the state thrives, too.
Silas Schrader
Pembroke