Birthday Veracity

 

Jon Reisman

Some random and not so random notes and rants for America’s Birthday:

-July 4th, 2023 marks our 247th birthday, not our 404th. Hannah Nicole-Jones, the New York Times and the Pulitzer Prize committee are lying leftist scum, and their hate America project should be recognized as Marxist revisionist propaganda. 

-Republican Presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is a fearless populist-capitalist without Trump’s braggadocio and baggage. Viva Vivek’s 10 Truths:

• God is real.

• There are two genders.

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What's Up, Calais?

 

This Saturday, July 8, swing by Johnson’s True Value between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. for a sweet treat from the bake sale happening there.  Proceeds will benefit the Maine Natural History Museum.  You can learn more about the museum by finding it on Facebook or visiting mainenhm.org.  According to its president Roxzanna Montague, the group is in need of some additional volunteers to donate baked goods.  Reach out to her at [email protected] or through the museum's Facebook page for more details.

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Legacy Square Garden

 

Work began last week on the Legacy Square Garden in Princeton. Pictured are Miriam Pippin and Eli and Jacob with Sharon Norman. (Facebook photo)

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Meet Renée Gray, the New County Manager Succeeding Fitzgerald

 

Nancy Beal

At their June 22 meeting, Washington County commissioners announced that they had offered Renée (Davis) Gray the post of county manager following the impending retirement of Betsy Fitzgerald, the present holder of that office. Gray will vacate the town administrator position in Lubec, where she has worked in one capacity or another since 2002.  She will assume her new duties in Machias tomorrow, July 6.

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50th International Homecoming Festival Under a Month Away

 

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

The handful of volunteers who make up the International Homecoming Festival committee have been planning since January for the 50th annual celebration.  This year’s festival is slated for Wednesday, August 2 through Saturday, August 5 with the first  “international” parade set to be held since pre-pandemic times. 

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Maine’s Opioid Response Director Speaks to Sunrise Senior College in Machias

 

Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Washington County doesn’t have the highest drug overdose rate in the state of Maine, but it does have the poorest overdose survival rate, according to information shared by Maine’s Director of Opioid Response, Gordon Smith, speaking last week in Machias.

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Children Experience an Out-of-this-World Event with Vacation Bible Camp

 

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

There was lots of celebrating at Immaculate Conception Church in Calais last week when around 35 children took part in this year’s fun-filled vacation bible school.  

For three consecutive days, local children kept busy with activities that incorporated music, arts, science, drama, and more all into learning and all centered around the theme Stellar VBS:  Shine Jesus’ Light.

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Eastport Veteran Honored by USS Oscar Austin Crew

 

USS Oscar Austin (DDG-79) arrived in Eastport on Friday to participate in the Independence Day celebrations.  The crew received a warm welcome from the Eastport Port Authority at a community meet and greet on Saturday and was also able to meet and recognize 94-year-old Eastport resident and World War II veteran, Henry Lapa, who served aboard the USS Helena CA-75.  Here, Lapa is rendered honors by the crew. (Photo by LTJG Thomas McGowan)

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Baileyville Annual Town Meeting

 

Natalie Boomer

[email protected]

On Monday, June 26th, the Baileyville Annual Town Meeting was held at 6 p.m. at Woodland Elementary School. 

Everyone in attendance who participated in the voting on budgeted items for the School Board and for the Town of Baileyville were required to be registered voters within the town.

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Calais Cook Wins Blue Ribbon for Grilled Garlic Shrimp in Foil

 

Home cook Daune (pronounced "dawn") Browne has been awarded a Blue Ribbon by Just A Pinch Recipes. Browne's "Grilled Garlic Shrimp in Foil" recipe was tested by the Just A Pinch Test Kitchen who released the following testing notes:  “A fabulous way to grill delicious shrimp. The foil pouch helps to steam the shrimp and cooks them quickly. The garlic butter that's also inside the foil pouch infuses into the grilled shrimp. Easy to prepare, serve the delicious shrimp with rice and a fresh vegetable for a lovely dinner.”

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DCP Announces July 17 Opening for Heating Assistance Appointments; Unveils Mobile HEAP Teams

 

Downeast Community Partners (DCP) is getting a jump on the heating assistance season this year. “We’re already proactively calling those we served from prior seasons,” notes James Nealey, Director of Energy Services at DCP. “Right now, we’re focusing on our particularly at-risk neighbors and those who were ‘eligible-benefit-determined’ last year and didn’t receive a benefit,” states Jenny Reese Pullen, DCP’s Senior Manager of Energy Services.

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Red Knights, Lions Club Raise Funds for Santa’s Helpers

 

On Saturday, July 7, the Calais chapter of the Red Knights Motorcycle Club and the Calais Lions Club held a joint fundraiser in support of the Lions Club's annual Santa's Helper program. 

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CDRC Purchases Picnic Tables for Downtown’s Flat Iron Park

 

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

Flat Iron Park now has an addition of three picnic tables, thanks to Calais Downtown Revitalization Coalition and the crew from the city’s public works department.

CDRC purchased the picnic tables this past spring as a way to dress up the park, while also providing a convenient space for outside eating.  

The public works department prepared the area next to the statue for the tables and put the tables in place this week.

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St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish Welcomes Fr. Berngeh as Pastor

 

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish welcomed Father Roland Berngeh as pastor effective July 5, 2023.  

Father Berngeh, originally from Cameroon, a country in central-west Africa, comes to St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish from St. Joseph Catholic Church.  There, he served St. Joseph and Catholic churches in Bar Harbor, Dedham, Manset, Bucksport, Castine, Stonington, Northeast Harbor, and Winter Harbor.

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Eastport’s Grand Independence Day Parade

 

Barbara’s International School of Dance's float won first place among the parade entries. On the float with students were Little Miss 4th of July Addalyn Sivret and her grandmother Sherry Sivret, Miss Maine Classic Beauty International. (Photo by Natalie Boomer)

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CFD’s Fourth of July Fun

 

One-year-old Nash Occhiogrosso takes a shot at the watermelon eating contest, a popular event of Calais Fire Association’s Annual Fourth of July games.  (Submitted photo)

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Clueless

 

Jon Reisman

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Jackie O’Clair Named DECH Board Chair at Annual Meeting

 

Down East Community Hospital and Calais Community Hospital held its annual meeting of the Corporators on Thursday, June 30.  CEO Steve Lail reported that despite the many obstacles hospitals across the country experienced in 2022, DECH and CCH operated in the black. The financial results and accomplishments from the past year were discussed and reported on at the meeting. The 2022 Annual Report, which highlights much of the hard work done by staff over the past year, is available on the DECH and CCH websites.  

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Pembroke Historical Society News

 

New exhibits at the Pembroke Historical Society have been getting quite a bit of attention lately. Many people visited the museum following the July 4th parade and on recent Saturdays.

On exhibit this summer is Pembroke Porcelains; Souvenirs from a Time Gone By. The exhibit draws attention to the history of buildings in Pembroke, some still standing and some long gone, by displaying decorative early 20th century souvenir cups, plates and candy dishes with images of local buildings.

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Calais School Board Meeting

 

During the Calais School board meeting on July 12, 2023, various initiatives and developments for the summer season were discussed and praised. The ongoing summer school program, which concentrates on English, math, and history, received commendations for its dedicated staff and hardworking students. A special acknowledgment was given to the elementary school cafeteria team, ensuring meals for students from various school levels.

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Calais-Native Named President of Saint Joseph’s College of Maine

 

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

In a recent announcement to the Saint Joseph’s College of Maine community, Jeff Moody, Chair of Board of Trustees, announced that Calais-native Joseph L. Cassidy, JD has been named the 15th President of Saint Joseph’s College of Maine. 

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All Invited to Opening Ceremony of International Homecoming Festival

 

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

In the days leading up to the International Homecoming Festival, an American flag and a Canadian flag will be hung from Ferry Point Bridge, just in time for the Opening Ceremony that is set to take place on Wednesday, August 2.

Marking the official start of the 50th Annual International Homecoming Festival, the Opening Ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m.

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Applications for Street Fair Still being Accepted

 

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

Saturday of International Homecoming Festival each year brings hundreds to downtown Calais to enjoy the offerings of the street vendors.  

This year, according to St. Croix Valley Chamber of Commerce Director Kara Mitchell, Main Street will be closed from the corner of North and Main Streets to the vicinity of Jo’s Diner & Pizzeria for the annual International Street Fair happening on Saturday, August 5 beginning at 8 a.m.

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PAWS Visits Calais Free Library

 

PAWS Brave Hearts staff member Gillian and resident kitty Orange Cakes recently participated in Calais Free Library’s summer reading program.  The children learned about how cats make it to PAWS and they had wonderful ideas about how to make them feel loved, safe and comfortable when they arrive. (PAWS Brave Hearts photo)

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Count on Me

Jon Reisman

I first met Ernie in September of 1975 in the hallway of the Dana dormitory on the Colby College campus in Waterville Maine. It was not love at first sight or a meet cute moment. I was a junior visiting a friend and was introduced to a freshman woman. I don’t remember who introduced us, or what Ernie said. Four years later we were married and starting a life adventure together. Now I am the memory for both of us.

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Summer Reading Program in Dennysville

 

Rebekah Guiltner is leading a reading program at the Lincoln Memorial Library in Dennysville on Tuesdays this summer in Dennysville.  Stories, crafts, snacks and other special activities are being presented to children going into grades K through 3 from 9 to 11 a.m. in the morning, and older children in grades 4 through 6 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the afternoon.  The program is free, and parents should call Rebekah Guiltner at 454-7932, or email [email protected]  from more information.

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City Council Updated at Liaison Committee Meeting

 

Chloe Bernardini

On Thursday, July 20th, Marcia Rogers, Mark Carr, James MacDonald, and Arthur Mingo of the Calais City Council met with Calais School Department Superintendent Mary Ann Spearin.

The meeting was called to discuss matters such as the Calais Elementary School building project, the principal search for Calais Middle/High School, open teacher positions at the middle school, and Calais Rec. Department transportation.

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Grand Lake Stream Folk Art Festival Slated for this Weekend

 

The tents will soon be up and the ballfield will be bustling with activity in the Washington County village of Grand Lake Stream.  On Saturday and Sunday, July 29th and 30th, more than 50 of the finest folk artists and craftspeople in the northeast and an outstanding line-up of talented musicians will gather for the 27th Annual Grand Lake Stream Folk Art Festival.  

Local organizers have once again put together a full weekend of activities for young and old, with wonderful music, folk art, food, and fun.  The festival runs each day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Police Warn of Fake Money

 

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

Police are warning the public and local businesses about “fake” money that has been circulating in the community.

According to Calais Police Department, it responded to a local business last week after the store had received prop/movie money.  

Although the “money” was marked “Movie Prop Use Only,” it did appear very similar to real US currency, the police department noted.

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Washington County Game Warden Wins International Honor

 

By Will Tuell

Maine Game Warden Joe McBrine got quite the shock recently when he was named Officer of the Year at the North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association (NAWEOA) annual conference in Provo, Utah. McBrine, who has served as a game warden for nearly thirty years – most of it here in Washington County -- said that he “choked up” when the 9,000-member organization of fish and game officers from the United States and Canada called his name July 10.

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Johnson’s and Border Electric Receive Plaques from Barbara’s School of Dance

 

Barbara's International School of Dance recently presented appreciation plaques to Johnson’s True Value and to Border Electric, both of which have always provided trucks for the students and adults to ride on in many parades.  Shown left are Jose and Barbara Lara with David Johnson from Johnson's True Value. Shown right are Jose and Barbara Lara with Sheridan Smith from Border Electric. (Submitted photos)

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Downtown Business Owners Slam Calais, Wish “Good Luck” to City

 

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

In a recent meeting of the Calais Economic Development Committee held on July 19, 2023, business owners of The White Birch Exchange Michael Novack and Craig Bruce expressed their concerns over what they feel is a lack of code enforcement of downtown buildings and challenges they face in their own leased location at 345 Main Street, the former Urban Moose building.

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Kids Tour, Bring Donations to ICEFP

 

Irene Chadbourne Ecumenical Food Pantry received a special visit last week.  Organized by Calais Free Library Librarian Skye Green-Hall, participants toured the pantry with Vice-President Bernadette Farrar to learn how it operates, ask questions, and most importantly, share care packages they had made to donate. ICEFP thanks them for the donation.  Pictured are (back) Lynn Muise with Kelci Muise, Jeff, Deb and Bob Stewart, Bernadette Farrar, Aurora Muise, and Skye Green-Hall, (front) Zoe Ingham, Nora Demmons, and Halle Demmons.  (Photo courtesy of Jessie Tompkins-Howard)

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Welcome to Flat Iron Park

 

A new sign is on display on the downtown stage.  Created and painted by Hannah Gadway, the sign welcomes all to Flat Iron Park.  (Photo by Jayna Smith)

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