Senior Banners on Display

Each Calais High School Class of 2020 graduate’s photo is displayed on a banner that now hangs on the downtown light poles, thanks to Calais Public Works Department.  (Photo by Jayna Smith)

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Famous Movie Truck Leaves Calais Bound for England

 

Jayna Smith

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Those familiar with the 1986 movie Big Trouble in Little China, starring Kurt Russell, are likely familiar with “Pork Chop Express,” the 1985 Freightliner FLC-120 driven by Russell in the film.  What some may not know is that that truck made Calais its home in 2006.  

Owned by Wilfred O’Brien, the Freightliner was operated by him until just two years ago.  O’Brien drove the truck quite regularly, except during inclement weather.

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Road Toll Fundraisers Set to Begin this Month

 

Jayna Smith

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Road tolls in Calais are huge fundraisers for many organizations, ten of them to be exact.  Each year, groups can apply with the city to hold one, but only ten spots are allowed, per the city’s ordinance.  

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Who’s that Waving Runner?

 

Jayna Smith

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It’s not uncommon to drive into or out of Calais through Magurrewock and spot the man who waves at passing vehicles.  He is sometimes seen jogging, sometimes walking, sometimes riding his bike, sometimes with his canine friend Candy, but always waving at each and every passing vehicle. That man is Rick Roussel.

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Outdoor Activities, Including Pickleball, Begin to Make a Comeback

 

By Natalie Boomer

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St. Croix Valley Pickleball games have been put on pause since the month of March due to COVID-19. Tennis courts have finally reopened, and the game can be played once again with new rules and regulations. 

Games started back up again on Wednesday, May 27th at the Woodland Jr/Sr High School and the Calais tennis courts. 

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We Salute Calais High School Class of 2020

 

Calais High School Graduates Class of 2020:

From Principal Spearin

You and your peers have faced challenges at the end of your Senior year that never could have been predicted. Most would say you were robbed of experiences every senior should experience, and I agree. However, I am incredibly impressed with the way you and your peers have handled these challenges. 

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President Trump Tells Gov. Mills to Open up the State

 

Jayna Smith

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President Donald Trump paid Maine a visit last Friday to see Puritan Medical Products in Guilford.  The company is one of only two major companies that manufacture medical swabs needed for coronavirus testing.  The other is in Italy.

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Community Thanks Hospital Staff with Parade

 

By Kaileigh Deacon

In a caravan led by Baileyville Chief Bob Fitzsimmons, community members of all ages made their way through the Calais medical buildings area on Wednesday, June 3, honking horns and waving signs with enthusiasm.

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Garden Adds Beauty to Downtown, Thanks to Volunteers

 

Jayna Smith

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Downtown Calais is looking beautiful, with American flags bellowing on some light poles, and banners honoring the high school graduates on others, all while the hanging baskets add bright coloring from their flowers.  

The flower baskets that get hung every summer are all thanks to Calais Downtown Revitalization Coalition (CDRC), and another project brought to the city by that same group is the upkeep of the downtown garden.  

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Work Continues on Downtown Restaurant and Tavern

 

Jayna Smith

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The former Townhouse Restaurant on Main Street has seen some drastic changes over the last few months.  The new owner of the property Tim Krug has been completely renovating the inside and will soon give the outside an overhaul as well.  He took on the project late last year after the property, which had been acquired by the city, was being considered for demolition.

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Howard Fox Memorial Pool Open for the Season

 

Jayna Smith

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Howard Fox Memorial Pool has opened for the season and, according to Parks and Recreation Director Craig Morrison, new rules have been implemented under guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

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Community Members Come Together to Help Family after Motorcycle Crash

 

By Natalie Boomer

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On May 30th, Sonya Lunn and Blaine McLaughlin were in a serious motorcycle accident on Route 9. 

According to Lunn’s brother, Michael Curran, the two were hit by a drunk driver and were both rushed to Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor with serious injuries. 

Lunn is on the road to recovery, but McLaughlin sadly passed at the hospital due to his injuries. 

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Neighbors Helping Neighbors

 

Jayna Smith

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When Baileyville Fire Chief John McPhee noticed his neighbor’s lawn hadn’t yet been mowed this year, he knew he could easily get help to complete that task and some other chores around the residence.  

McPhee sent out a call to his fire department crew, asking for some able bodies to do some yard work for a very deserving couple, the McCrays.  In typical firefighter fashion, they were quick to respond. 

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Honoring First Responders

 

By Kaileigh Deacon

Store Manager Drew Sansing and Assistant Manager Laura Donovan went all around Calais and even to Baileyville on Tuesday to thank first responders and those on the front lines during the COVID-19 Pandemic. As part of their Associates Week, which normally takes place in Bentonville, Arkansas, Walmart decided to spend this Associates Week giving back to their employees as well as the communities that serve them. 

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New Downtown Fountain

A new fountain was installed at the downtown garden on Monday.  According to CDRC's Anne Nixon, many more plants will now be added this week to complete the landscaping of that area.  (Photo by Jayna Smith)

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Local Students Receive Scholarship

Nolan McCullough and Paige Sockabasin each received a scholarship, presented annually in honor of Michael Severance.  Les Severance, Michael’s father, decided this year to present it to two of the Pine Tree Store employees, both of whom are graduating.  The store is owned by Les Severance and Brinda Leighton.  Each year they have a dance to raise money for this scholarship to be given so that Michael will not be forgotten.  Nolan has been a summer resident of Grand Lake Stream since the age of two, spending his summers with his grandparents, David and Jenifer McCullough.  He will attend the

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Farmers’ Market Set to Open in Calais

 

By Natalie Boomer

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Beet greens, kale, lettuce, green onions, and more are expected to be ready by Tuesday, June 23rd when the Calais Farmers’ Market is open for business!

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Lioness Club Celebrates 35 Years of Serving the Greater Calais Area

 

Jayna Smith

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Calais Lioness Club recently celebrated its 35th annual Charter Night, an event that welcomes new members to the group.  It also pays tribute to the 43 ladies who joined together with the shared purpose of helping their community and its residents back in 1985.

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Calais, St. Stephen Fire Departments Unaffected by Border Restrictions

 

Jayna Smith

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The strong relationship between the fire departments in Calais, Maine and St. Stephen, New Brunswick has been long-standing, but it is not unique in that many departments, especially those in rural areas, rely heavily on mutual aid.  What does make the relationship between the two unique is that the mutual aid provided to one town from the other comes internationally.  

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Perry School Ends Year with Teacher Parade

 

Jayna Smith

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The 92 students who attend Perry Elementary School got to say good-bye for the summer to their teachers in a very unique way, all to end the very unique school year.  Last Friday, students got to watch a teacher parade that covered all of the roads and routes throughout the town and by the homes of the students.

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Lubec Readies for Independence Day Celebration

 

Jayna Smith

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Lubec, America, known for its welcoming people, great eateries, wonderful views, and being the easternmost town in the U.S.A., among other things, has released its Fourth of July Celebration schedule, and it certainly does not disappoint.

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Princeton Elementary Graduation

 

By Kaileigh Deacon

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Flag Retirement in Alexander

Annual Flag Retirement Ceremony on Flag Day sponsored by the Alexander Grange at the Alexander Grange. (Submitted photo)

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Town of Pembroke Plans to Host 4th of July Celebration

 

By Natalie Boomer

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The annual 4th of July celebration in Pembroke will still be taking place this year.

The parade will be held at 9 a.m. on the morning of the 4th of July. Floats, ATVs, bikes and more are all welcome to meet at the town office in Pembroke at 8:30 a.m. to participate. There will not be any prizes given this year, as the parade will be just for fun. 

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Beautiful Wildlife Photos

Great wildlife photos in the June 18, 2020 edition. We appreciate everyone sending them in. Be sure to check them out every week!

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Truth, systemic racism, and black flies

by Jonathan Reisman

 

As the nation writhes under a leftist/media assault charging white privilege and systemic racism and advocating for defunding the police, silencing/deplatforming/canceling anyone who dares to disagree and demanding they kneel and apologize for voting for Trump and more, I’ve watched in horror as a woke leftist Jacobin mob has decided that we need to destroy the village in order to save it.

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Eastport Could Soon See a Second Cruiseline Berth for an Extended Stay

 

Jayna Smith

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On Sunday, June 14th, Eastport saw the arrival of the 785-foot Oceania Cruises vessel Riviera.  The ship, like all other cruise ships, was halted from sailing effective back in March after many cruise lines saw outbreaks of COVID-19.  

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Opening Day at the Farmers’ Market

 

The Calais Farmers’ Market began its season downtown this week.  It will continue each Tuesday at the downtown triangle park from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Photo by Jayna Smith)

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Bears are Searching for Food, May Visit Your Backyard

 

Jayna Smith

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There have been several social media reports in the last couple of weeks of bear sightings in different areas of the city, including Union Street, Garfield Street, South Street, and more.  

According to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW), Maine is home to the largest population of black bears in all of the lower 48 states.  Bears in the state are most active between April 1 and November 1.

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Just CAZ

 

(Critter Autonomous Zone)

Seattle might have its neo-anarchist/hipster/summer of love/ Capitol Hill Occupy Protest (CHOP), but it pales in police-free borderless entertainment value to the Critter Autonomous Zone in Cooper and Cathance Township.

The Raven Raucous Caucus

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Perry Celebrates Bicentennial with Book

 

By Kaileigh Deacon

To celebrate 200 years is truly something special and not something that happens often. Earlier this year, the State of Maine celebrated 200 years of statehood. But two years prior to this, just a short drive up Route 1, the small town of Perry celebrated its bicentennial in 2018. 

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Masons Donate to Food Pantry

 

By Kaileigh Deacon

Times have been trying as the effects of COVID-19 are felt as far Downeast as Washington County. Recommended closures of businesses created a challenge for some families as to how food would be put on the table while they were out of work. The already large number of families in Washington County facing food insecurity grew as the effects of the virus and its precautions spread. 

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WES Celebrates Sixth Graders with Drive-Through Graduation

 

Jayna Smith

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Schools have been wrestling with how to preserve at least some hints of the traditional rites of passages, such as graduations, in what has been the most unusual year, and Woodland Elementary School was no different.  Thanks to Principal Ms. Amanda Belanger and staff, the 19 grade six students there were recognized at a unique “drive-through graduation” on Saturday, June 13th.

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Calais Middle / High School 8th Grade Celebration

 

By Kaileigh Deacon

For the Eighth Grade Class of 2024, nothing about the end of the 2019-2020 school year was normal, and that meant missing out on the end-of-the-year activities. Staff at the Calais Middle High School didn’t want the celebration of them moving to high school  to pass without acknowledging their hard work 

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Book on Calais History Released

 

The story of Calais is being told through a fresh lens in the form of Images of America: Calais, a new publication released on June 22nd through Arcadia Publishing. The book marks the first time the St. Croix Historical Society has partnered with a major publisher to share the history of Calais. 

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EAC Presents Annual Fine Arts Awards to Graduating High School Seniors

 

Each year, during the graduation ceremonies at area high schools, EAC honors seniors who have excelled in music, theater or the visual arts.  Nominated by their dedicated teachers, the students have been chosen based on their commitment and contribution to the fine arts at their school and community.  

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