Local Schools’ Teachers Host Car Parades to Safely See Students

 

By Jayna Smith

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Spectators that included many more than just students took to their driveways in Indian Township on Wednesday, March 25 to watch a “Teacher Love Train.”  

Organized by third grade teacher Diane Roussel, the Love Train was made up of teachers and staff of Indian Township School who paraded through the community, all because they missed seeing their students.

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Kids Enjoying Local “Bear Hunts”

 

By Jayna Smith

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Inspired by the fun 1989 children’s book We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury, many in the community have sparked a creative idea for kids and their families to stay active, all while having fun and practicing social distancing.

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Officer Bishop Adds Experience to Calais Police Department

 

By Jayna Smith

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Officer Jeff Bishop joined Calais Police Department last May when he came on part-time.  By September, Officer Bishop began full-time and said recently that Calais Police Department is by far the busiest one he has worked for.  

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Moosehorn Offers Over 50 Miles of Hiking Trails to the Public

 

By Natalie Boomer

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Spring weather is approaching us here in Washington County making many of us anxious to partake in outdoor activities. 

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Shining a Light on Autism

 

By Jayna Smith

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has determined that 1 in 54 children is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, with boys four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls.  

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A Hidden Calais Treasure

 

By Kaileigh Deacon

Did you know that right in the middle of Calais is a National Historic Site? On the corner of Lincoln and North Streets is a little known spot called Meridian Park. Most would think it was part of the drive to get to the back parking lot of the recreation center or just a rocky hillside in the middle of town, but few know the location’s historic significance.

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Pink Wednesdays in the Lab

 

Consistent with the ongoing efforts to protect patients, staff, and the community, Calais Regional Hospital Visitors Policy will be restricted beginning Saturday, March 28 as indicated: 

-ONE designated visitor per patient 

-NO visitors with flu-like symptoms 

-NO visitors under the age of 12 

-ALL visitors will be screened 

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Man From Grand Lake Stream Keeps Memories Alive

 

By Natalie Boomer

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Although St. Croix Video of Woodland is no longer open for business, owner Maurice Brown has been staying busy by sharing some of the memories he has captured in the past with others through his business Facebook page. 

Brown was raised in Grand Lake Stream and attended his early school years there, and then migrated to Baileyville to attend Woodland High School. 

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Fun Wildlife Photo!

 

Please send us your wildlife photos to [email protected]

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Irene Chadbourne Ecumenical Food Pantry

The food pantry volunteers continue their regular hours for clients, with strict measures in place to ensure social distancing is practiced.  Volunteers are also ensuring senior clients--those who are most vulnerable during this pandemic--who are in need receive food via delivery.  Seniors may call 207-214-4487 with name, address, phone number, and the number of people in the household.  Calls will be returned the next business day.  One can follow Irene Chadbourne Ecumenical Food Pantry on Facebook for information and updates.  (Photo by Jayna Smith)

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Homeowners' Decorations Spread Love and Smiles

 

By Jayna Smith

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The home of Jose and Barbara Lara on Calais Avenue always brings smiles to the faces of those who drive or walk by when decorated for the holidays.  

The couple recently decorated for spring.  The décor includes colorful inflatable eggs and bunnies and lots of lights, as well as some giant teddy bears for all to see on their bear hunts.  

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In Challenging Times, Community Steps Up to Help Girl Scouts

 

By Jayna Smith

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Girl Scouts at every level—from kindergarten-age Daisies to 12th-grade Ambassadors—recently participated in selling Girl Scout Cookies, a tradition that started in 1917.

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Community Comes Together to Provide Children with Easter Egg Hunt

 

By Natalie Boomer 

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Schools, parks, and after school activities are still canceled and parents and teachers are starting to come up with creative ways to entertain children.

Throughout the past few weeks, people of Washington County have been placing teddy bears in their windows for children to spot while on “bear hunts.” As Easter approaches, the Calais PTO has introduced the idea of replacing the bears with Easter eggs.

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New Cell Tower to Host First Responder Network, AT&T Subscribers

 

By Jayna Smith

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Many have noticed the new hard-to-miss tower in town, sitting right next to Calais Recreation Center.  

The tower is part of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet), a network proposed by the federal 9/11 Commission and endorsed by Congress in 2012.   AT&T has been selected to build and manage this first high-speed broadband wireless network dedicated to police, firefighters, and emergency medical services.  

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Multicolored Asian Lady Beetles Find Shelter in Many Homes

 

By Natalie Boomer

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Many of us have noticed ladybugs in our homes recently. These bugs are actually a specific type of ladybug known as the Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle, and they become more common in New England homes during times of cold weather.

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Local Art Teacher Brings Art Class to Facebook

 

By Natalie Boomer

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School buildings may be closed, but school is still in session. Teachers have been sending out assignments to their students, video chatting with them, reading to them through Facebook live videos, emailing them, and more. One teacher, in particular, wanted to bring her students together to have fun and get creative.

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First Class of Unobskey Scholars is Announced

 

The Unobskey Scholars Program is proud to announce its 2020 class, selected from ninth graders attending nine different public high schools in Washington County, Maine, and Charlotte County, New Brunswick.

The Maine Unobskey Scholars are:  Lydia DeSchiffart, Emmalee Donahue-Ripley, and Matthew Haire from Narraguagus High School in Harrington; Jacey Barabe and Jaida Case from Machias Memorial High School in Machias; and Hope McGlaughlin from Calais High School.

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Wildlife Photos

Squirrel-proof bird feeders are not deer proof, as indicative of the feasting deer and the near-empty feeder.

The black capped chickadee is the state bird of both Maine and Massachusetts. 

(Photos by Jayna Smith)

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Sewing Circle Churns out Face Masks Using Distance-Friendly Assembly Line

By Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Bags of fabric are crisscrossing Washington County along a virtual assembly line so precisely orchestrated the people working on it never see each other. Working remotely, the Washington County Covid-19 Mask Sewing Circle has already delivered more than 500 cloth face masks, and taken orders for 1,200 more. 

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Homeowner Hopes to Boost Spirits with Window Display

 

By Jayna Smith

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In trying times, the good in the people of the greater Calais area certainly shines through.  From area residents coming together to create “bear hunts” for children, to community members donating money to provide meals to be delivered to senior citizens, among numerous other kind gestures, many are doing whatever they can to put a smile on someone else’s face.

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Easter Bunny Lends a Hand

Lunches were delivered to some Methodist Home residents last week by the Easter Bunny!  Pictured are Sue Holmes, Bunny, and Cindy Delmonaco.  Absent from photo, but also helping with deliveries, was Cindy Wartman.  (Submitted photo) 

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IGA Recognizes Local First Responders

Calais IGA owners David Pike and Bob Craft recognized local first responders last week by providing items for an Easter dinner, includng a cake that read, “Thank You To Our Dedicated First Responders.”  Pictured are Craft and Fire Chief Ken Clark.  (Facebook photo)

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Federal Coronavirus Relief Funds May Not Be Sufficient for CRH

 

Calais Regional Hospital (CRH) has lost over 40% of its patient volumes while also assuming additional costs to prepare for a potential influx of COVID-19 patients.    With regular operations coming to an almost halt, there is little revenue projected to cover costs in the coming weeks.   This is a never before seen financial crisis for many hospitals like CRH, that threatens the ability of the organization to provide care and maintain its presence as an economic engine in our community.  

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Easter Bunny Visits on a Fire Engine

 

By Natalie Boomer

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On Saturday, April 11th, the Woodland Recreation Department and the Woodland Fire Department came together to spread some Easter cheer. 

The Woodland Recreation Department usually has an annual Easter egg hunt along with a visit from the Easter Bunny for the children of the community, but that event was canceled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

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Locals Donate Easter Dinner to Community Members in Need

 

By Natalie Boomer

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The Old School Family Restaurant in Princeton delivered over 200 meals to elderly folks in the area on Saturday, April 11th. 

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Calais Fire-EMS Hosts Virtual Tour of Station

 

By Natalie Boomer

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Due to the statewide social distancing guidelines, the annual Easter Egg Hunt held by Calais Fire-EMS had to be canceled. 

Captain Bill Lee of the fire department wanted to give children of the area something fun to do while they were stuck inside their homes, so he had the idea of a virtual tour of the fire station. 

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Students See Calais Regional Hospital’s Preparedness Through Video

To share with students the various roles at Calais Regional Hospital, as well as how patients are taken care of and how staff uses personal protective equipment (PPE), Calais Elementary School nurse Mrs. Heather White created a video with some of the CRH staff.  Mrs. White, who also works at the hospital, shared the video to her Facebook page to give students a better understanding of how the hospital is ready to serve them if needed.  (Facebook photo)

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Springtime Bouquets

 

By Natalie Boomer

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Jane Eaton, of Robbinston, is known for bouquets that she creates from her very own flower garden. Although it may seem like there are not a lot of flowers blooming during this spring in Maine, Jane explains that there are a few that just might surprise you. 

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Open Letter to Gov. Mills: Washington County Commissioners would like to open up the county as soon as possible

The Washington County Commissioners yesterday delivered a letter to Governor Janet Mills stating that rural Maine occupies a unique position relative to the coronavirus pandemic, and asking the governor to include the three most rural counties in conversations about how to reopen the state for business. 

The full text of the letter appears here:

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Local Restaurants, Police Supported through Gift Certificate Purchase

 

By Jayna Smith

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Police officers in Baileyville and in Calais each were treated to lunches through gift certificates donated by local business owner Mary Pelletier at S&M Designs.

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Border Patrol Agents Make Donation to Food Pantry

Local Border Patrol Agents recently donated 213 pounds of food, along with $150 in cash, to Irene Ecumenical Food Pantry, to assist during the pandemic with the increased number of people using the food pantry.  (Facebook photo)

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Local Man Creates, Donates Ear Savers to Essential Workers

 

By Jayna Smith

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Glowforge, an American-based company that makes 3D laser printers, has encouraged Glowforge owners across the country to make Ear Savers to provide to first responders and other essential workers.

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PAWS Continues Adoptions

 

By Kaileigh Deacon

For many, the only thing that gets them through their day is knowing that when they get home they have their families waiting there for them, especially the furry ones! With a number of businesses changing the way they do things or are forced to close until the gathering restrictions for the COVID-19 pandemic are lifted, PAWS animal shelter in Calais is still open for business, though a bit modified.

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Finn’s Fight Against Leukemia

 

By Natalie Boomer

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Finnegan Walters was diagnosed with leukemia, a cancer of the blood, at the young age of three. His family has been stationed in Guam, due to his father being in the military, but he has recently been transferred to a hospital in Hawaii and will be hospitalized for at least 30 days to receive treatment throughout this COVID-19 quarantine.

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UMaine Cooperative Extension Offers Tick Testing

 

By Jayna Smith

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With warmer weather now upon us, many will be spending more time outdoors.  This means it’s an especially good time to get into the habit of checking for ticks, small bloodsucking parasites,  many of which transmit diseases to animals and people.

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Cobscook Institute’s Monday Night Music Brings Connection & Medicine

 

At a recent Monday Night Music Circle, Dwayne Tomah, who was participating over the phone, shared some thoughts with the rest of the attendees: “Music is healing…music is medicine.” This resonated with the group that gathers Monday evenings over Zoom to share music, connect, and usher a bit of joy into the world.

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Locals Donate Masks to PAWS

What a wonderful surprise! Meg & Moxie Rothberg (PAWS adopter and ME Coon alum) made hand crafted masks for our staff! These colorful animal prints have really brought cheer and hope to everyone, including the kitties who couldn’t understand a word we were saying through our folded bandanas! We can’t thank you enough! (Facebook photo)

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The former Chen Garden Restaurant being demolished

The former Chen Garden Restaurant location at 43 North Street is being torn down today.  The building was acquired by the city in 2015 due to unpaid taxes, however, the restaurant still operated until a year ago.  At that time, it was ordered closed by state health inspectors, and in May.  

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Food Pantry Volunteers Provide Curbside Pick Up

 

Jayna Smith

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Last Thursday and Friday, volunteers at Irene Chadbourne Ecumenical Food Pantry kept busy providing curbside pickups of food boxes.  

The boxes, according to food pantry director Fr. David Sivret, included a mixture of cereals and canned goods.  Also available were apples, potatoes, chicken, fish sticks, sliced ham, and pork patties, among other items.  The goods were supplied from USDA/Good Shepherd Food Bank.  

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Dog Missing For Months Found and Safe

 

By Natalie Boomer 

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Since November of last year, members of the Washington County community have been reporting sightings of a lost dog who had been roaming around the Calais area. 

On Wednesday, April 22nd, the dog was finally captured by David Townsend, an animal control officer, at 10 p.m. 

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The Hunt is On for Painted Rocks!

 

Jayna Smith

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The Calais Waterfront Walkway has seen lots of foot traffic in recent weeks.  Many people are taking advantage of the weather to begin some physical exercise, while others are playing a fun game of hide and seek.  This particular hide-and-seek game, however, is not your traditional one.  It is played by kids–and kids at heart–wishing to brighten up the route.

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Raye’s Mustard Hosts Online Contest

 

By Natalie Boomer

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Karen Raye, of Raye’s Mustard in Eastport, has come up with an exciting way to pass the time while community members are stuck at home due to the COVID-19 self-isolation order. 

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Lions Club Facing Fundraising Challenges, Donations of Returnables Can Help

 

Jayna Smith

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Calais Lions Club has been part of the community since it was chartered in 1940, making it one of the city’s longest-running civic organizations.  Although a small group of men, the organization contributes approximately $20,000 annually to local charities.  

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Citing Coronavirus Effects, Hospital Announces Reduction in Staff

 

Service Lines Remain Available for Patient Care

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

Calais Regional Hospital filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last September, citing a decrease in paying and insured patients, inadequate reimbursement from MaineCare, and greater regulatory requirements, among other factors.  

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Fun Wildlife Photos

A Harp Seal on the beach in Lubec, taken on Earth Day! (Photo by Angie Cummings)

A chipmunk. (Photo by Donna Melanson)

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