Chloe Bernardini

The budget for Charlotte Elementary School’s 2023-2024 year was lowered by the school board at the meeting last Wednesday, May 31st. 

About $7,500 was cut from the original $297,541.43 that was originally suggested by the school committee.

“The board was concerned that the $7,500 is too small of a cut to make the budget pass, but we really didn't have any other places to safely cut,” said Janet Moholland, a member of the school board.

Jayna Smith

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Rhubarb is for Lovers was the theme of this year’s Rhubarb Festival, and it proved just that, with well over 300 people coming through the gates, according to organizer Georgie Kendall, despite the low temperatures in the mid-40s the drizzly day brought.

The Rhubarb Festival, now an annual event hosted by Kendall Farm in Perry, took place on Saturday, June 3, with a line-up chock-full of activities for people of all ages to enjoy.

Fourth graders from Calais Elementary School recently attended the Maine Learning Technology Initiative Conference at the University of Maine, Orono.  The students attended two different sessions from among many, such as how to make an app, how to build an escape room, CANVA (pictures), green screen, and more.  They also saw the 3D printed house and had the opportunity to see the huge size of a windmill blade.  Among the 1,100 students in attendance from around the state, these Calais students were the youngest.  (CES photo)

Jayna Smith

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On Saturday, June 3, members of the St. Croix Area-Calais Rotary Club took to Route 1 for their annual roadside cleanup.  

According to club member David Montague, “ten intrepid volunteers and a trio of enthusiastic children” participated, despite the cold wind and rain.  

Jayna Smith

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Graduation for the Woodland High School Class of 2023 was held Saturday morning, June 3, in front of a full gymnasium.  The 33 graduates marched to their seats, led by Class President Braden Richard, to the traditional “Pomp and Circumstances,” in front of faculty and staff, friends and family, and other members of the community.

A new, state-of-the-art Senographe Pristina 3D mammography machine is the most recent addition to the Calais Community Hospital radiology department.

Kobe Saunders

After beating the Fort Fairfield Tigers 8-2 in quarter-final action on Friday, June 9, the three-seed Woodland Dragons were hosted by the number two seed Bangor Christian Patriots in a Class D Northern Maine semi-final baseball game on Saturday at Husson University. 

The game started off as a pitching duel, as Woodland pitcher and DAC Player of the Year Evan Curtis and Patriots pitcher Cole Payne would not allow a single hit until the later innings.

Jayna Smith

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A community space in downtown Calais officially has a new name.

At the June 8, 2023 meeting of the Calais City Council, Calais Downtown Revitalization Coalition (CDRC) members Anne Nixon and Chris Niles requested that the park, often referred to as “Triangle Park,” be officially named “Flat Iron Park.”

The name “Triangle Park” has no historical significance; “Flat Iron,” however, does.

Jayna Smith

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Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge has a new manager.  

John Magera, along with his wife Karin, moved to the area in January from southeast Texas for the new role.

While in Texas, Magera served as refuge manager for the Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge.  There, he was responsible for more than 10,000 acres of native prairie, a position he held for five years.

Jayna Smith

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The members of the Spednic Club in Baileyville are well known for giving back to others in the community in times of need and to worthy causes and organizations.  Recently, they did that again with a bowling tournament held to benefit the Kenny J. Murphy Jr. Memorial Fund.  

Jon Reisman

I do not get (or give) a huge amount of feedback, but I appreciate it. Criticisms, praise and suggestions are delivered via e-mail, snail mail, in grocery store aisles and by the side of the road. Praise is good for the ego, but criticism is better for the product For fifty years, the Beatles and The Prince have both battled and stayed with me. Niccolo Machiavelli counselled that it is better to be feared than loved; John Lennon countered that all you need is love.

The screen house has just received its new sign celebrating the Women of Grand Lake Stream.  The sign was designed and made by Jane Devereux, a member of the Women to Women Group. (Photo submitted by  Susan Whitely)

The eighth graders who played on the recreation department’s junior high softball team were recently honored. The coaches said the team had a great season and will be a positive addition to the high school team next year.  Pictured are (front) Sarah Wentworth, MacKenzie Smith, Destiny Holmes, Sadye Cottrell, (back) Coach Crystal McLellan, Hayden Sabattus, Chole Milburn, Trinity Newell, Kaci Small, Coach Joey Craig and Craig Morrison. (Submitted photo)

Ham radio operators from the St. Croix Valley Amateur Radio Club will be participating in a national amateur radio exercise from 2 p.m. on Saturday until 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 25 – 26. This year's event will be taking place at the Alexander Elementary School grounds, 1430 Airline Road, Alexander. 

The event is ARRL Field Day (www.arrl.org/FieldDay), an annual amateur radio activity organized since 1933 by ARRL, the National Association for Amateur Radio in the United States.

The Maine Osteopathic Association (MOA) held its 112th Annual Convention at the Samoset Resort in Rockport June 2-4.  During the convention, the association also held its Annual Awards Luncheon to honor the contributions of osteopathic physicians in Maine.

MOA 2023 award recipients were as follows:  

Jayna Smith

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Obtaining social services for those in the greater-Calais area just got a lot easier, thanks to a collaboration between the City of Calais and Downeast Community Partners.

Last Friday, June 16, a ribbon cutting was held at the Calais City Building to officially mark the newest location for DCP, now with offices located upstairs in the city building on Church Street.  

The famous blueberry-blue dome in Downeast Maine, home to the beloved Wild Blueberry Land bakery and gift shop for over 20 years, will open this summer as the Wild Blueberry Heritage Center on June 29th. Guests will be able to shop wild blueberry themed items, purchase wild blueberry baked goods, and learn about the tiny but mighty wild fruit from exciting exhibits.

Jayna Smith

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Two local athletes played last week in the 2023 Class C/D North vs. South Senior Baseball Game, which took place on Thursday, June 22 at St. Joseph’s College in Standish. 

Shane McIver and Braden Richard, both recent graduates of Woodland High School, were among those invited in a trio of games at the college.  The games included the Class C/D Senior All-Star Game, the Class A/B Senior All-Star Game, and an underclassmen game.

Jayna Smith

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When one thinks of summer school, field trips and cupcakes surely may not come to mind.  For kids at Woodland Elementary School, however, a field trip to Calais IGA earned them cupcakes to decorate right in the store, but it didn’t come without some hard work first.

Natalie Boomer

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The Maine Department of Education is back with the return of the state’s summer food service program, Hot Lunch Summer!

The U.S. Department of Agriculture provides children ages 18 and under with healthy meals throughout the summer months at no cost.