The story of a project mapping the Dennys River over 9000 years will be presented at the Merrill Library of the University of Maine at Machias (UMM) on Friday, November 3, at 3 p.m.  Over the last year, students from UMM, under the guidance of Professor Tora Johnson and volunteers from the Dennys River Historical Society (DRHS) collaborated on the creation of an interactive map marking over 480 sites of historical significance, from Meddybemps Lake to the Reversing Falls on Cobscook Bay, encompassing seven towns along the watershed.

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

In a great display of athleticism, four student athletes from Calais High School left their mark at the Northern Maine Regional Race in Belfast, which took place on October 21.

Bailey O’Rourke, Liberty Hodge, Philip Bassett, and Keegan Trainor represented the Blue Devils with determination and resilience as they faced off against Class C runners from across all of northeastern Maine.

Mary McLellan and Sally Doten were presented with “thank you” plagues after the Baring Town meeting on Monday evening. Pictured above with Mary and Sally are left to right, Crystal McLellan,  Ray Faulkner, and Mark Hornbrook. Mary was town clerk for over 30 years. Sally was overseer of the cemetery for 20 years.

Staff at Calais Community Hospital always gets into the fun of Halloween with a pumpkin decorating contest.  This year’s winners were The Hedgehog, first place, created by Crystal Donovan, an RN from the med/surgical department; “Somebody’s Watching Me,” created by the Patient Accounts Department; and The Owl, submitted by Ric Lewis, Respiratory Director.  (CCH photos).

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

Three candidates are running for two three-year seats on the Calais City Council.  

Incumbent Kevin Niles will be challenged on November 7, 2023 by former councilors William Quinn and C. Edward Moreside.

Along with Niles, the current Calais City Council is made up of Mayor Artie Mingo and Councilors Mike Sherrard, Marcia Rogers, Ellery Beale, James Macdonald, and Mark Carr, who is not seeking reelection.  

Jon Reisman

The phrase “beyond the pale” means unacceptable or beyond the standards of decency. It stems from the Pale of Settlement, a vast and varying swath of the western Russian Empire from Lithuania to the Black Sea, where Jewish settlement was allowed. The Pale was established in the late 18th century and persisted until the Russian Revolution in 1917.

DECH and CCH will bring in a national speaker for the high school students in Washington County. The events will take place November 28 – 30.  

The event for DECH-area students will be held at the Performing Arts Center at UMM on November 28, the event for the CCH-area students will be held at Calais High School on November 29, and Woodland High School on November 30. All area high schools have been invited, and the hospitals hope they seize this invaluable opportunity.

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

On October 26, 2023, the Calais City Council met for its regular meeting, with Mayor Artie Mingo presiding over Councilors Mike Sherrard, Marcia Rogers, Ellery Beal, and Mark Carr.   Councilors Kevin Niles and James Macdonald were absent from the meeting.

What follows is a brief summary of the meeting, with the full meeting available for viewing on the City of Calais’s Facebook page.

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

Last week, Chris Bernardini, a dedicated U.S. Postal Service worker with a remarkable 33 years of federal service, received well-deserved recognition.  Jim Myers, fellow postal worker, had the honor of presenting Bernardini with a Service Award Certificate on behalf of Assistant District Manager Scott Manier.  

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

The City of Calais is gearing up for its second annual Community Tree Lighting event, set to take place on the evening of November 25. Organized by the St. Croix Valley Chamber of Commerce, this holiday celebration is open to all, inviting residents and visitors to come together and embrace the festive spirit.

84% of the vote reporting

Question 1: Citizen Initiative

Do you want to bar some quasi-governmental entities and all consumer-owned electric utilities from taking on more than $1 billion in debt unless they get statewide voter approval?

Question 1: Yes - (65%-35%)

Question 2: Citizen Initiative

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

After last week’s municipal election, the City of Calais is set to welcome the return of Kevin Niles to his post as City Councilor.  Niles, with 441 votes, along with the newly-elected William Quinn, with 373 votes, won their seats over C. Edward Moreside, who had 302 votes. 

Bonnie Lyons

The new hour for church services is 3 p.m. with Pastors Ron and Colin Windhorst.

The front window is shining this month for all Veterans. If you like to shine the window of the church in memory of a loved one or celebrate or honor someone special, call or email me at 454-3252 or [email protected]

The Maine Warden Service is seeking information regarding two illegally killed moose, one in Washington County and the other in Aroostook County. Maine Operation Game Thief is offering a reward of $3,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the killing of either of these moose. These wildlife crimes are not related.

In Washington County in the town of Baileyville, Game Wardens received a report of a dead moose approximately 70 yards off the Grand Falls Road in Baileyville at mid-day on Friday, November 10. 

CW3 (Ret.) Sherry Sivret, Washington County Community College President Susan Mingo, and Pastor Bobby Oliver at last week’s Veterans Memorial Dedication Ceremony at WCCC.  (Submitted photo)

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

Jon Reisman

It was gloomy and raining when I went to the Cooper Community Center (the former Grange) to vote. I brought some cake for my neighbors who were working the polls and defending democracy, hoping to give them a little cheer on what would be a long, dark, and stormy day. If Election Day was somber, at least most of the results in Maine were not. The results across the nation were more of a mixed bag.

Jon Reisman

In early November, I sent the following request to Rep. Golden:

I am writing about the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, which the Maine Legislature will be voting on in 2024 (LD 1587). I am specifically requesting that you submit legislation granting Congressional consent to this interstate compact, as required by Article 1, Section 10, Clause 3 of the Constitution.

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

In a bid to tackle rising concerns about safety and the encroachment of negative elements, Leonard Rafferty, a Calais resident and pastor of Keys to Life Church on North Street, is spearheading an initiative to establish a neighborhood watch program.  Rafferty, who moved to Calais with his family in June 2019, expressed a deep commitment to fostering a safe and attractive environment for residents.

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

The Washington Academy Raiders clinched the independent league, eight-man football championship with a decisive 44-18 triumph over Berlin, New Hampshire two weeks ago.  This victory marked a significant achievement for the team under the leadership of Coach Ian Pratt, formerly associated with the local Silverados football team.

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

‘Tis the season once more, as Pratt Auto Dealership embarks on its annual tradition of matching donations for the local food pantry.  However, this time around, the challenge has grown in scale.  Owner Ian Pratt has increased his commitment by offering to match donations up to $10,000, an increase from last year’s cap of $7,500.  Even more the campaign’s duration has been extended through Christmas, extending from only November in years past. 

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

In a great event that brought together local businesses, community leaders, and devoted volunteers, the St. Croix Valley Chamber of Commerce held its 75th annual meeting and awards banquet on Friday, November 17, 2023, at the Calais Armory.  The event, a testament to the vibrant spirit of the St. Croix Valley, saw an impressive turnout, with over 120 attendees eager to celebrate the achievements of the community.

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

At Route 1 and Perry Corner in Perry, The Christmas Forest of Maine returns for its second year, adorned with over 150,000 lights, festive melodies, and an array of fun and beautiful decorations.  The brainchild of David Wright and his family, this dazzling spectacle almost didn’t grace Perry for a second season.

Jon Reisman

The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact effort by the Democrats and the League of Women Voters to abolish the Electoral College and disenfranchise every right of center voter in the 2nd Congressional District took some ominous steps in recent weeks.

After previously asking Senator Collins (no answer) and Representative Golden (non-responsive response), I sent the following message to Senator King on Nov. 9:

Down East Community Hospital CEO Steve Lail and COO/CFO Lynnette Parr were presented Rural Health Community Star Awards at the National Rural Health Day celebration held at the State House on Nov. 16. Lail and Parr were honored for the hospital’s decision to purchase the Calais hospital at a time when it faced certain closure, and, in doing so, preserve access to care in eastern Washington County. 

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

In a career spanning administrative roles in high schools across the state of Maine, including in Machias, Lincoln, Jackman, and beyond, David Leigh cultivated a unique and engaging project for his students, one that now stands as a testament to years of dedication and enthusiasm – a collection of over 1,100 autographs from cover persons featured on renowned periodicals like Time and Newsweek.

Grangers who participated in laying wreaths on Nov. 24 at the Alexander Cemetery on veterans’ graves were Dale Holst, Jim and Dolly Sullivan, and Jane and Joe Manza. (Submitted photo)

Jayna Smith

[email protected] 

In a bid to bolster local businesses and encourage community support, the St. Croix Valley Chamber of Commerce has rolled out its much-anticipated Loyal to Local Passport initiative for the second consecutive year.  The program offers shoppers an enticing opportunity to win $100 simply by patronizing local stores and restaurants.