Talking Baseball

 

Jon Reisman

“Baseball has been very good to me”- Roberto Clemente

“Baseball has been berry, berry good to me”- Garett Morris as Chico Escuela on Saturday Night Live

“Baseball is 90% mental and the other half is physical.”- Yogi Berra

“There is no room in baseball for discrimination. It is our national pastime and a game for all.” – Lou Gehrig.

“Baseball is like church. Many attend, few understand.” – Leo Durocher

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Calais Blue Devils Softball

 

The 2022 Calais Blue Devils softball team is made up of (front) Lainey Johnson, Nevaeh Thomas, Alexis Donahue, Trinity Jones, Sierra Jones, (back) Kaleigh Scott, Avva Cassidy, Jazlyn Rojo, Brenna Critchley, Cameron Dubay, Taylor Carter, and Natalie McDonald.  Missing from photo are Megan Mitchell and Mercedes Owen.  (Photo by Jayna Smith)

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Woodland Dragons Softball

 

The 2022 Woodland Dragons softball team is made up of (front) Amy Cox, Grace Howard, Nicole Cox, Karleigh Smith, Kaylin Hamilton, Sheena Barnard, Victoria Siering, (back) asst. coach Sheridan Smith, Sierra Bryant, Maygin Leighton, Kristen Curtis, Emma Hiland, Hannah Lockenwicz, Brooke Smith, manager Phoebe Thrornton, and coach Kieve Leeman.  (Photo by Jayna Smith)

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Woodland Dragons Baseball

 

The 2022 Woodland Dragons baseball team is made up of (front) Brogan Brown, Liam O’Neill, Cyrus Sewell, Braden Richard, Evan MacArthur, Keagan Wormell, Josh Jordan, Gauge Howard, (back) coach Kenny Murphy, manager Kyrsten Stegman, asst. Coach Shane Curtis, Evan Curtis, Weston Bailey, Shain McIver, Braden Barrett, asst. coach Keith Moody, and asst. Coach John Sewell.  (Photo by Jayna Smith)

 

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Calais Blue Devils Baseball

 

The 2022 Calais Blue Devils baseball team is made up of Brandon Schaeffer, Ethan Barnard, Keegan Trainor, Ryley Case, Kaiden Sockabasin, Dylan Dow, (back) asst. coach Matt Vinson, Oliver Clark, Angel Rojo, Owen Brown, Kobe Saunders, Ti Bennett, Sean Look, Kaeson Dana, Muwin Dana, and coach Marc Rohde.  (Photo by Jayna Smith)

 

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Washington County Community College Holds First in Person Graduation Ceremony in Two Years 

For the first time in two years, Washington County Community College graduates were presented their diplomas in person.

The 2022 commencement ceremony took place on Friday, May 20th at 11a.m. outside overlooking the beautiful St. Croix River on the campus lawn.
After the graduates marched into the sound of ceremonial bagpipes performed by Ernie Smith, the Passamaquoddy Drummers performed, and the National Anthems were sung by Anne Scott.

President Susan Mingo then took the stage to begin the ceremony.

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Official Signing Ceremony for Skutik River Statement of Cooperation

 

Natalie Boomer
[email protected]

In 2013, the Wabanaki Tribes of Maine, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service, and the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs made a commitment to restoring and preserving the Skutik/St. Croix River watershed.

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Morrison Recognized for Service to DAC Athletics

 

Calais High School Athletic Director Randy Morrison was presented the Dick Gardner Award at the recent Downeast Athletic Conference All-Star banquet.  The award is presented to one who has provided considerable service to DAC athletics. See more photos from the banquet on pages 24 and 25 of this week's The Calais Advertiser. (Photo by Jayna Smith)

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Artemis’s Attic to Celebrate 10 Years in Business

 

Jayna Smith
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This Saturday marks a major milestone for Shari Doten: ten years in business with her store Artemis’s Attic.

Artemis’s Attic, located downtown at 297 Main Street, is a store in which one can find a gift for literally anyone and everyone.  From unique finds and antiques, to home decor and furniture, it is no wonder the shop has earned its tagline “the coolest shop in town.”

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Veterans Honored, Remembered During Calais Memorial Day Events

 

Jayna Smith
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Although no Memorial Day parade was held in Calais this year, other ceremonies to remember fallen heroes did occur, starting with the wreath laying ceremony at Ferry Point Bridge.

A small group gathered downtown at the international bridge for the annual event with active duty service members, other veterans, and representatives from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Calais Fire-EMS.

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The 2019 Project

 

Jon Reisman

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Local 6th Grader Spreads Kindness to Every School in America

 

Natalie Boomer
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A sixth grader at Princeton Elementary School has made it possible for every school in the United States to have free access to YouUplift School Kindness Wall, an online platform that students, teachers, and families can use to send positive messages to each other.

Victoria Polk took it upon herself to write a letter to Doug Reavis, the creator of the YouUplift platform, just two days after the tragic school shooting in Texas.

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Waterfront Pier Deemed Unsafe

 

Jayna Smith
[email protected]

A temporary barrier has been placed in the area that leads to the pier behind the Calais Library.
According to Calais City Manager Mike Ellis, high tides over the years have flooded the area numerous times.  Due to this flooding, the waterfront pier has now been deemed unsafe.  

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Calais High School Honors Top 7 Seniors

 

Jayna Smith
[email protected]

On the morning of Tuesday, May 31, 2022, family, friends, students, and faculty gathered at Calais High School to recognize a select group of students from this year’s graduating class.  This special assembly was started in 2005 by then-principal Mrs. Jeanne Bishop-Peacock and honors the top seven students in the class based on weighted-grade point average up until their senior year through the third quarter.

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Calais Blue Devils Baseball

 

Ti Bennett slides safely into second against Machias at Calais’ final regular season game of the season last week.  The number 12-ranked Blue Devils traveled to Houlton on Tuesday, June 7, to face the fifth-ranked Shires.  (Photo by Jayna Smith)

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Calais and Orono IGAs Awarded Five Star Honor

The Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) recently announced that Orono IGA and Calais IGA, along with owners Bob Craft and David Pike, have been awarded the IGA Five Star honor for achievement in IGA’s Assessment Program. Five Star is the highest level of recognition possible under the Assessment Program’s rigorous standards.

The IGA Assessment Program measures IGA store performance with a combination of unrevealed and revealed assessments focused on operations, merchandising, innovation, and customer service.

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Calais High School Celebrates Graduates at 2022 Commencement

 

Jayna Smith
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Calais High School held its commencement exercises on Sunday, June 5, 2022, with 55 students graduating.

The ceremony began with the Huntley Brooks Drummers of the Passamaquoddy Tribe providing an honorary song before class president and Salutatorian Zachary Wentworrth welcomed the students, families, faculty, and other guests in attendance.

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Woodland High School Hosts Graduation Ceremony for Class of 2022

 

Jayna Smith
[email protected]

Woodland High School held its graduation on Saturday, June 4, 2022 with 31 students receiving diplomas.  

Following the processional and salute to the flag, second honor essayist Keagan Wormell and first honor essayist Joanna Korasadowicz addressed those in attendance.

After Principal Joseph Swain’s presentation, Salutatorian Sierra Bryant and Valedictorian Justin Carney each provided their addresses.  

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Irene Moreside Chosen as Lioness of the Year

 

Jayna Smith
[email protected]

The Lioness Club of Calais held its final regular meeting before breaking for the summer.  A major topic of discussion at the meeting was the annual Super Draw, the club’s largest fundraiser.

Once again, the ladies of the club will soon be soliciting donations to the Super Draw.  The giant Chinese auction is slated for Saturday, August 6, as part of the International Homecoming Festival street fair.  

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CHS Senior Prom

 

Calais High School’s Senior Prom was held last Friday night at the St. Croix Country Club.  Pictured are senior Bernie Yost, accompanied by Kate McPhee; senior Kobe Saunders, accompanied by Brenna Critchely; senior Zachary Wentworth, accompanied by Nevaeh Thomas; and senior Tristan Seavey, accompanied by senior Emma Saunders.  See more photos on page 24 of this week's The Calais Advertiser.  (Photo by Jayna Smith)

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Down East National Heritage Initiative: Serfdom Beckons

 

Jon Reisman

The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I’m from the Government, and I’m here to help.”- Ronald Reagan

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New Members Inducted, Lion of the Year Announced at Lions’ 82nd Charter Night

 

Jayna Smith
[email protected]

The Calais Lions Club held its 82nd Charter Night last week, with many members and spouses in attendance for the evening’s dinner, induction of new members, installation of new officers, and announcement of Lion of the Year.  

Four new members were inducted into the club.  They included Colin Brown, Colby Ryan, Brian Nicholas, and Houston Ross.  

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Middle School Group Hosts Diversity, Equity, Ally Workshops

 

The Calais Middle School Teen Advocacy Group (TAG) hosted Middle School Pride Day on June 3.
The assembly and workshops were designed by the TAG students to increase awareness and promote respectful behavior around LGBTQ issues.
CHS alumni, students and Equality Maine staff led presentations on gender, diversity, equity and being an ally. Techniques for addressing bullying behaviors were also presented.
Gia Drew and Nem Knight from Equality Maine later met with the Health Center Advisory Board to discuss student support services.

 

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Dragons Softball Falls in Semi-Final Action

 

Jayna Smith
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The Woodland Dragons softball team ended their regular season of play with an impressive 11-3 record and a second-place rank in Northern Maine Class D.  This earned them a bye in the first round of tournament action.

On Friday, June 11, the girls, under first-year coach Kieve Leeman, beat number 7-ranked Katahdin 7-6 in an exciting ten innings in quarter final action on their home field.  

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CHS Tennis - Senior Recognition

 

Senior players on Calais High School’s tennis team were recently recognized for their efforts and outstanding play during their high school years.  Shown with parents are Kati Bitar, Nate Pesce, Francesca Lombardo, Emma Saunders, Jerry Harmon, Isiah Mitchell, Cassidy Carr, and Lexi Doten.  (Submitted photo)

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Calais Rotary Takes on Roadside Beautification Project

 

Calais Rotary held a roadside trash pickup on Saturday, June 4th along Route 1 from Milltown to Baring.  The dedicated Rotarians were joined by staff and interns from Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge and other local community members for the cleanup project.

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Fire Fund Committee Established to Assist Displaced Residents

 

Jayna Smith
[email protected]

After a fire destroyed a downtown business last month, 20 people were left needing to find new homes, and many of their personal belongings were too heavily smoke damaged to keep.

The blaze occurred inside The Roost Pub at 445 Main Street.  The business was closed, and no one was inside.  

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The Hokey Pokey Fair: What Is It Really All About?

 

Jayna Smith
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For over 40 years, the Hokey Pokey Fair has been synonymous with the end of the school year and start of summer for students at Calais Elementary School.  

It all began back in 1979 when the Hokey Pokey Fair was first held to raise funds to upgrade the playground equipment.  Over the years, the monies raised by the fair were used for the school's library and the computer lab, among other school needs.  

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Medals Galore Brought Back from Special Olympics

 

Jayna Smith
[email protected]

After the global pandemic prevented the annual Special Olympics from being held, nearly 450 athletes from across the state finally got to compete for the first time since 2019.  

This year’s summer event was a full day of competitions, including softball throwing, Bocce, 100-meter dash, long jump, and more, all held on the campus of Orono’s University of Maine.

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American Dystopia is A Progressive Policy Choice

 

Jon Reisman

2022 America is a product of deliberate progressive policy choices. It’s tempting in watching Brandon, Kamala and the clown show- including AOC and the Squad, Bernie, Pocahontas, Mayor Pete, Janet “Mistaken” Yellen, Hillary Hack/Iran Appeaser Sullivan and the rest of the sorry lot- to conclude our woes are a consequence of incompetence and stupidity, but that would be wrong. Every dystopic feature of 2022 America is a result of policy choices that Brandon and his progressive puppet masters have deliberately chosen.

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Local Girl Qualifies for World Championship Horse Show

 

Natalie Boomer
[email protected]

Ten-year-old Zoey Theriault, of Princeton, has qualified to go to the World Championship Morgan Show in Oklahoma, but she needs help from her community to get there.

In the three years that Zoey has been riding horses she has loved everything about it.  “She spends hours a day with her horses. She is as happy grooming and mucking stalls as she is riding. She just loves every aspect of being in the barn,” mentioned her mother Penni Theriault.

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Kids are Making a Splash at the Calais Pool

 

Jayna Smith
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School is out for the summer, which means the city’s Howard Fox Memorial Pool is open and summer day camp has begun.  Both started on Monday.
Utilized by residents and non-residents both, the pool is open seven days a week.  Public swim for this year is currently slated for Mondays through Saturdays noon to 7 p.m. and Sundays noon to 5 p.m.   

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Many Medals Brought Back to Beckett Center from Special Olympics

 

At the recent Summer Special Olympics, the athletes from the Beckett Center in Calais brought home many medals and ribbons.

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Alexander Grange Annual Flag Retirement Ceremony

 

The Grange held its annual flag retirement ceremony on Flag Day, June 14, with approximately 100 flags retired, respectfully and with honor. A little rain did not stop those in attendance from completing the task at hand. It was wonderful to see so many children in attendance.  Afterwards, the Grange members provided refreshments inside the hall.

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Many Canadians Say Now is the Time to Bid ArriveCAN App Goodbye

 

Jayna Smith
[email protected]

Many Canadian mayors and businesses in border towns are appealing to their government to drop the requirement of the ArriveCAN app.  The app, they say, is keeping Americans out of the country during what should be the start of a busy tourism season.  

The requirement of the ArriveCAN app began amidst the pandemic.  It allows travelers to report their trips into Canada, while also providing their health information surrounding COVID-19.

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Fox & Hen Pub Opens Downtown

 

Jayna Smith
[email protected]

Since Michael and Barbara Intondi opened Riverview Restaurant at 421 Main Street just over a year ago, the fine dining experience has been well received, in addition to the downtown business’s beautiful facade.  

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Rhubarb Festival

 

June 11 was a perfect weather day for the Rhubarb Festival, with eager volunteers; 325+/- attendees; local and live music; obstacle course and games; a critter petting area; sold-out food vendors; brilliant teachers of everything-to-know-about-rhubarb; a tasting table and competition cooks; a 1950 Ford truck that matched the art on the poster, the truck by Katie McPhee, and poster by AHD designs, Giclee printmaking with rhubarb leaves and amazing art teacher Bobbi Tardif; and more.  (Kendall Farm Cottages & Event Barn photo) 

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Second Amendment Notes

 

Jon Reisman

As the summer started, a complex melody of second Amendment notes was played.

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CEO Reports Positive Balances for Both Hospitals at Annual Meeting of the Corporators

 

Down East Community Hospital and Calais Community Hospital’s annual meeting of the corporators took place via Zoom on Thursday, June 22, 2022.

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Maine Public Awarded Seven New Radio Signals to Expand Services to Rural Areas of Maine

 

Maine Public announces the successful award of seven new noncommercial FM station licenses by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). These new signals will be used to expand the reach of Maine Public Radio and Maine Public Classical into areas of Maine that currently do not access, or have limited access, to these services.  

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Fun for All Ages at Alexander Hometown Jubilee

 

Natalie Boomer
[email protected]

The annual Alexander Hometown Jubilee will be held on Saturday, July 9th.

Every  year, the Alexander Grange #304 hosts this fun celebration for the community at the Grange Hall on Cooper Road in Alexander.

It is already shaping up to be a great day with lots of things planned, including a Chinese auction, bake sale, lottery tree raffle, parade, craft fair, live music, face painting, and free kids' games.

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Adult Family Care Homes of Maine Under New Ownership

Jayna Smith
[email protected]

Jake Chambers, who, with his wife Rhonda, has owned Adult Family Care Homes of Maine since 1999, recently announced that ownership of the facilities will soon be transferred to Edward Sedacca and Christa Means, co-founders of Magnolia Assisted Living in Texas and owners of other such homes in Pennsylvania.

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New Fleet of Buses Will Bear Calais School Department Name

 

Jayna Smith
[email protected]

The first of eight new school buses has arrived bearing the Calais School Department name, the first time in years.

Last fall, the school department was notified of the contracted bus company’s withdrawal from Calais when the agreement ended after the 2021-22 school year.  This decision came after the bus company, First Student, was purchased, and the new company deciding not to operate in the Calais area.

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Calais Fire Association Fourth of July Kids’ Games Return

 

Jayna Smith
[email protected]

The Calais Fire Association is excited for the Fourth of July games to return this year.

For years, the association has hosted the activities at the Dicenzo Athletic Complex on the morning of Independence Day, and such will be the case again this year.  

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Four Local Baseball Standouts Play in State Senior All-Star Game

 

Jayna Smith
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Four local athletes played last week in the 2022 Class C/D North vs. South Senior Baseball Game, which took place on Wednesday, June 22 at St. Joseph’s College in Standish.   

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Local Boys on Championship Team

 

Two local boys, Liam O’Neill, pictured first in front, and Colby Moholland, pictured third in back, are among the players on the Sluggers 14U baseball team.  Sluggers is based out of Brewer and the team recently won the New Balance State Championship.  (Submitted photo)

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