Jenna Beaulieu

Just like my dad said, I grew out of my distaste for onions and discovered that you can probably eat anything as long as it’s fried. But unlike he predicted, I have yet to grow out of my revulsion for carrots, especially cooked carrots. Sure, I can drown baby carrots in ranch dressing and I chew and swallow just fine.

MADAWASKA – Two local travel groups were scheduled to visit China in 2014, but recent events in that country have motivated the Madawaska travel group to reroute their destination to Italy and Greece next year. The Fort Kent group, which Fort Kent Community High School instructor Valerie Plourde-Ouellet facilitates, is continuing with the China destination.

ST. JOHN VALLEY – Fiddlehead season in the St. John Valley started two weeks early this year and is already nearing its end. Valley Fuel Stop manager and local fiddlehead forager Nick Albert of Madawaska started picking the furled ferns on May 3 and said the season is almost done.

MADAWASKA - Despite a rainy morning, Tribute to Courage walkers arrived at the Madawaska Safety Complex with umbrellas in hand and sporting raincoats bright and early Saturday morning.

MADAWASKA - Chris and Mindy Braley of Madawaska celebrated the opening of their new business on Saturday, April 27, at the Top O' Maine Trade Show. The Braleys served treats to trade show attendees in the Multipurpose Center parking lot from their new ice cream truck, which locals may have also seen in their neighborhoods during the evening this past week.

FORT KENT – The Market Street Co-op is currently accepting new members and plans to open up this summer as scheduled, though at least 150 members are required prior to opening a storefront. The cooperative intends to supply Fort Kent and the surrounding area with local and Maine foods and other natural and organic products that are unavailable in current retail locations.

MADAWASKA – Katie Marsh moved to the area last year, months after enduring a touching, painful experience, and has since penned a memoir detailing her journey.

MADAWASKA - At a regular board of selectpeople meeting on April 9, heads of the police department presented information to the board that clarified their need to maintain full-time coverage in the area, citing approximately 3,500 calls for service in the prior 12 months.

The budget committee was present for the meeting.

MADAWASKA – Local chiropractor Dr. Thomas Gregson is teaming up with Tim Hortons for a book signing on April 20 from 9 a.m to 1 p.m and will accept donations for a local charity at the event. Gregson said he is offering an on-site health consultation to all attendees, and also has some educational incentives for individuals who choose to donate $20.