With so much technology all around us, it can be easy to forget about all that nature has to offer.

On Saturday, September 24th, Washington County Community College hosted its 3rd annual Learning and Growing from the Outside In event. This year’s theme was outdoor adventure play.

This day-long training was intended for people who work in early childhood education including family childcare, center-based childcare, and early public-school teachers.

The day consisted of various learning opportunities for educators.

Jayna Smith
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Coach Kris Siering’s Lady Dragons soccer has added some more Ws to the book, with recent wins over Shead and Calais.

Losses included games against Penobscot Valley and Penquis, with a 3-3 tie against Bangor Christian.

Congratulations to Nicole Cox, who netted her 50th high school career goal at a recent game.

Ricky Cleghorn

On October 10th, the Walmart stores located in Calais and Houlton will stop accepting Canadian dollar currency.

The Walmart located in Presque Isle has already stopped accepting Canadian cash, effective October 1st.

The changes of policy at these Walmarts are just the most recent implements of the company's new country-wide cash policy.  

It’s the middle of breeding season (rut) for moose, the official State Animal of Maine.  Moose can stand up to seven feet tall, with adult bulls weighing as much as 1,100 pounds.  According to Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, the largest bull ever harvested in Maine had a dressed weight of 1,330 pounds and means it would have weighed approximately 1,767 pounds!  This bull moose was spotted last week on the Stud Mill Road.  (Photo courtesy of Zachary Cox)

Natalie Boomer
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The Princeton Rod and Gun Club and Maine Department of Inland Fisheries hosted a Youth Field Day on Saturday, September 24th.
Boys and girls ages 8 to 15 gathered at the Princeton Rod and Gun Club to learn about all sorts of outdoors activities.

Cobscook Institute is excited to announce the return of Apple & Arts Day on Saturday, Oct. 22, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Originally launched in 2019, this free arts, heritage food, and harvest-focused family event will take place rain or shine on Cobscook Institute’s charming  Trescott campus. Highlights of the day include live music featuring four local acts, as well as all-ages arts workshops with the Tides Institute and Museum of Art.  

After the Indigenous People’s Day holiday weekend, our fall foliage colors Downeast will be approaching high color, which state experts define as 50-70 percent of leaves changed with low leaf drop. Northern Maine, from west to east, is now enjoying peak color. It won’t be long before we see the same intense foliage in Washington County. (Photo courtesy Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry)

Helen Brooks was recently recognized for her 50-year membership in Grange.  She is shown with her daughters Mary Crossman, Sherry Sivret, Linda Brooks, and Martha Cox. (Submitted photo)

Jayna Smith
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After taking part in the Penobscot Valley Conference regional qualifying tournament last month at Lincoln’s JATO Highlands Golf Course, Calais senior golfer Jace Cook earned the right to compete at the Maine Principals’ Association State Golf Tournament.

The state competition was held last week on October 8 at Natanis Golf Course in Vassalboro.  Cook was among nearly 80 golfers competing in the Class C

Jayna Smith
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Many from the community came out for a surprise retirement party last Friday night for local radio personality Jeff Demmons.  Demmons has worked for WQDY for the last 25 years.  

The event, which had been secretly planned for the last two months, was led by Bill Cassidy as the master of ceremonies, while many community leaders spoke to express their gratitude to Demmons.  

Thanks to the incredible generosity of community members across Washington County, this year’s Annual Turkey-A-Thon was another huge success. At the close of the daylong event last Friday, donations totaled $39,130 - exceeding the partner's fundraising goal of $36,000 - and with donations still coming in, the countywide fundraising event is shaping up to have its biggest year ever.

Seniors on the boys’ soccer team are Wyatt Jamieson, Alex Richard, and Raphael Antonelle. (Photo by Brenda Batson)

Seniors on the girls’ soccer team were recently recognized.  Shown are Coach Siering, Amy Cox, Nicole Cox, Hannah Lockenwitz, Asst. Coach Gary Bryant, and manager Alyssa Stevens. (Photo courtesy of Leslie Monk)

Seniors on the golf team are Jace Cook, Emil Paullson, Andrew Barnard, and Josh Calder.  (Photo courtesy of Brenda Batson)

The kids not only loved seeing the trucks from Lyons Towing, but also loved the special “lyon” that accompanied.  The well-attended event was hosted by CDRC as part of the annual Harvest Festival. (Photo by Jayna Smith)

Jon Reisman

The legislative candidates who hope to represent Cooper were invited to a forum at the Cooper Community Center (formerly the Grange) by the Select Board. On a rainy Tuesday evening, House District 10 Candidates Kenneth “Bucket”Davis (R-East Machias) and Melissa Hinerman (U-Machiasport) were joined by Senator Marianne Moore (R-Calais). Jonathan Goble (D-Cherryfield) did not respond to the invitation.

Jayna Smith
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Calais City Council met for its regular meeting on Thursday, October 13, with Councilors Mike Sherrard, Elery Beale, James Macdonald, Marcia Rogers, and Bill Quinn present.  Mayor Billy Howard and Councilor Mark Carr were absent.  

Jayna Smith
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At its annual state conference, held at the Atlantic Oceanside Hotel & Event Center in Bar Harbor on October 22, the Maine Press Association recognized The Calais Advertiser for its exceptional journalism work, presenting it with 24 awards.  Its sister paper Machias Valley News Observer won 18 awards, for a total of 42 awards combined between the two Washington County publications.