Jayna Smith

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For over ten years, Ian Pratt at Pratt Cars has held a donation-match campaign throughout the month of November that helps bring in needed funds to area food pantries.  His idea came to fruition after realizing how great the needs are for the pantries in Washington County.  

Jayna Smith

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Woodland High School baseball coach Kenny Murphy passed away unexpectedly on December 12, 2022, and on Saturday, December 17, 2022, a Celebration of his Life was held at Calais High School.

On one side of the gymnasium at the front was a sight that could not be missed:  a sea of black, purple, and gold caps and jerseys, all donned by members of Murphy’s baseball team.  

Jayna Smith

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The Calais branch of Dead River Company recently held its first “A Tank Full of Thankful” contest.  The contest took in over 1,100 entries, all hoping to win one of ten $500 gift certificates to use to help heat their homes.  

Jayna Smith

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Calais City Council held its only meeting of the month on December 15, 2022.  

A Special Amusement Permit for Crumbs Cafe & Coffee Bar was approved, with Councilor Kevin Niles abstaining from the vote.  Also approved was an application for a medical marijuana license for The Higher Class and an application for a medical marijuana license for Smoke on the Water.  There was no public comment on any of the three.

Honoring the nation’s flag is 5-year-old Mihku Sabattus, who did not hesitate to rise and place his hand on his heart when “The Star Spangled Banner” played at a recent basketball game in Woodland.  His great display of patriotism and respect came without any prompting.  Young Mihku was in attendance to cheer on his cousin Reece.  (Submitted photo)

Valued reader of The Calais Advertiser Sandra Kowalski holds a handmade ornament she received from her paperboy Bradley Walton last week.  Bradley has been delivering the paper for nearly four years, and now his brother Parker also has a route.  The boys each created the ornaments themselves and made sure each of their customers received one.  (Photo courtesy of Teresa Kowalski)

Will Tuell

Newly-elected District Attorney Bob Granger and three-term Sheriff Barry Curtis were formally sworn in before an audience of county employees, legislators, and members of the public on New Year’s Day. The pair were sworn in by longtime county jail administrator Paula Johnson-Rolfe, who also serves as a notary public.

Down East Community Hospital welcomes its first baby of 2023!  Sontee Edwards and Matthew Minoty’s daughter, Jordyn Taylor Minoty, was born at Down East Community Hospital on January 2 at 2:36 a.m.  Jordyn weighed in at 8 pounds and 9 ounces and was 22” long.  

DECH presented the family with a gift basket full of items for Jordyn.  The basket also contained several gift certificates for her parents.

Home heating fuel prices are at record highs this winter, and local Rotarians are concerned that many of the most vulnerable in Washington County, including the elderly and others on fixed incomes, may be left out in the cold.

Nancy Beal

After more than three years of meeting, planning and crafting a plan, late last month advocates of creating a monument to the historic industries and traditions of Maine’s two easternmost counties learned that their efforts had paid off. On December 23, the U.S. Congress approved a plan for a Downeast Maine National Heritage Area. If and when the NHA becomes a reality, it could qualify for $1M a year in federal funds.