Jayna Smith
[email protected]

The International Feztival of Trees has been a highlight of the Christmas season since it began in Calais in 2016.  Cancelled last year due to the pandemic, the recent announcement of its return this year was very welcome news.

Proceeds of the popular event benefit the fundraising efforts of the two sponsoring clubs, Schoodic Shrine Club, which covers northern Washington County, and Washington County Shrine Club, which covers the southern part of the county.

A wonderful tradition, originating during the papacy of Pope St. John Paul II, will be renewed in Washington County on the weekend of December 11-12, the third Sunday of Advent.

The “Blessing of the Bambinelli” will occur at each Mass on Saturday and Sunday at Holy Name of Jesus Church on 8 Free Street in Machias (Sunday 8:30 a.m.), Sacred Heart Church on 14 Hamilton Street in Lubec (Saturday 4:30 p.m.), and St. Michael Church on 51 Elm Street in Cherryfield (Sunday 10:30 a.m.).

Jayna Smith
[email protected]

Basketball has begun at area high schools, and while athletes are excited to get back on the court, spectators are excited to get back into the gym after COVID-19 excluded them from all games last year.

According to Calais High School athletic director Randy Morrison, the Maine Principals’ Association Sports Medicine Committee (MPA SMA) has many recommendations in place; however, each school is responsible for setting their own rules surrounding COVID-19.

Jayna Smith
[email protected]

The near 80 attendees of the St. Croix Valley Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting and awards event on Friday evening, November 19, were not only impressed with the beautifully-decorated venue and fun atmosphere provided, they were also in awe of the delicious food included as part of the dinner.

Jayna Smith
[email protected]

The hat tree has returned to 1 Pleasant Street.  For those unfamiliar with the hat tree, it consists of a wooden frame, or “tree” of sorts, that has hanging from it many hats, socks, gloves, and mittens.  The items are all offered for free to anyone who may need them, to make sure hands, heads, and feet are warm this winter season.

Natalie Boomer
[email protected]

Girl Scout Troop 2259 will be hosting their 3rd annual Christmas Fair and Bake Sale on Saturday, December 18th.
From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., local vendors, along with the Girl Scouts themselves, will be at The Lobster Crate Event Center in Perry selling holiday goods.

Jayna Smith
[email protected]

The 7th annual Stuff the Bus event was held on Saturday, and as expected, the generosity from local people was as great as ever.
Stuff the Bus, a Christmas gift collection program spearheaded by Baileyville Police Chief Bob Fitzsimmons, collects items for children of all ages throughout the county at a day-long campaign at Calais Walmart.  

Kobe Saunders, a senior at Calais High School, has been named an overall state winner of the Heisman High School Scholarship by Acceptance Insurance.

The opportunity to apply was open to all seniors who have a GPA of 3.0 or better, are proven leaders and role models in their school and community, and have participated in at least one recognized sport while in high school.

Alexis Donahue and Saunders were named the female and male winners at the school level for Calais High School.  

Full video www.tinyurl.com/calaischristmasparade

Jayna Smith
[email protected]

On what some say was the coldest night for a parade in the history of the Lioness parade, the Calais Lioness Club executed a great community Christmas parade last Friday night.

Jayna Smith
[email protected]

The holidays bring out the giving spirit in most people, and such was the case for 12-year-old Bradley Walton and his 9-year old brother Parker.

Bradley has been a paperboy at The Calais Advertiser for nearly three years.  He has been known to do very nice gestures for his customers, as an example, providing each with a rose last Valentine’s Day.  

Jon Reisman

I began 2021 channeling “1921” from the Who. I had no reason to be overly prophetic, but it turns out Roger Daltrey accurately foreshadowed the Delta variant, Afghanistan, the open Southern border, January 6, cackling Kamala, the Durham probe, the Rittenhouse and Smollett trials and the media lies and malpractice surrounding all of it:

Got a feeling '21
Is going to be a good year,
Especially if you and me
See it in together.

Jayna Smith
[email protected]

After The Calais Advertiser shared last week the news of the Calais Walmart discontinuing the sale of this publication, without any information provided from the local store manager, the retail giant’s media relations contacted the newspaper.

Homes all over town are well lit and well decorated for the holiday season.  These photos show just a couple of the many you can view on an evening trip around Calais. These homes are on Calais Avenue and Swan Street.

Jayna Smith
[email protected]

Since 2016, with the exception of last year due to COVID-19, the International Feztival of Trees has brought hundreds out to view spectacular Christmas trees, all well decorated and complete with gifts underneath.  The event is a fundraiser for the two sponsoring clubs, Schoodic Shrine Club, which covers northern Washington County, and Washington County Shrine Club, which covers the southern part of the county.

Jayna Smith
[email protected]

Boys’ basketball is back and closer to normal this year, with fans permitted in most schools, full schedules lined up, and plans underway for a state tournament.  Area coaches recently shared what their respective teams will bring to the court this season.  
 

Jayna Smith
[email protected]

For about ten years, Ian Pratt of the Pratt dealership has held a donation-match campaign throughout the month of November, all to benefit local food pantries.  Through this program, Pratt has always committed to matching up to $5,000 of donations received.

Residents of Eastport Nursing Home and Washington Place in Calais were treated to a musical visit by three Passamaquoddy Bay Symphony Orchestra members on Tuesday, December 14. The program of holiday tunes was performed by the talented trio of Ann Simmons, violin, June Gregory, flute and Ellen Krajewski, cello.

Sarah Craighead Dedmon
 
It all began with a question.

“I was wondering if it might be possible to decorate the bridge for Christmas?” asked Joel Ross of Lubec, posting Nov. 29 on Facebook. Readers enthusiastically applauded his idea, and this week for the first time ever, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt International Bridge —  and the saltwater beneath it —  shine with Christmas lights.

The bridge connects Lubec, the easternmost town in the nation, with Campobello Island, New Brunswick, Canada.

Natalie Boomer
[email protected]

The man in the red suit came to town a week early.  Santa Claus visited the children of Baileyville and Baring on Sunday, December 19th.

With the help of Ray Faulkner and the Baileyville Fire Department, Santa made his rounds by fire engine, instead of sleigh.

In the meantime, local children dropped off their letters to Santa at the Woodland IGA, where a special mailbox was placed just for this occasion.

Jayna Smith
[email protected]

Calais resident Stacy Crosby, who resides on Palmer Street, could not keep up with the elaborate Christmas display of her neighbors Bob and Gayle Greenlaw.  

Over the weekend, rather than attempt to upstage the dazzling show next door, Crosby affectionately gave tribute to the Greenlaw’s hard work by displaying her own type of clever show, the word “DITTO,” lit up brightly for all to see.

Jon Reisman

Jayna Smith
[email protected]

At Calais on December 22, Coach Ben Maloney’s Dragons came through with a 58-51 win over Coach Dean Preston’s Blue Devils.
Stats provided by the Dragon coaching staff showed Ethan Monk led the winners with 23 points, while Wyatt MacArthur chipped in with 21.  MacArthur also pulled down 11 rebounds.  
Brogan Brown added another 7, while Shain McIver and Reece Sabattus had 3 each.

Barbara A. Walsh,
Maine Monitor

Bonnie Lyons