The Calais eighth grade class enjoyed their end-of-year trip.  Just some of the activities included a tour of Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts and fun at Canobie Lake Park in New Hampshire. (Submitted photo)

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

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

[email protected]

The City of Calais is home to numerous outside areas that can be used to benefit people’s physical health, but one thing it lacks is a space for four-legged friends to run free for exercise.  

For pet owners who prefer to allow their canine companions to run free, a dog park is a perfect place to do so.  A dog park is a public park, typically fenced, where people and their dogs can play and socialize together.  

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

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

[email protected]

A dedication ceremony was held on Friday, June 9, at the crosswalk by Calais Elementary  School.

According to Calais City Manager Mike Ellis, the location is the area “where John ‘Jack’ Monaghan faithfully volunteered as a crosswalk guard for 26 years, ensuring the safety of thousands of children in the Calais community.”

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

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.  

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

An official sign of summer is the opening of the city’s Howard Fox Memorial Pool, and on Monday, June 19, it is set to open, along with summer day camp set to begin.

The pool is open seven days a week for both Calais residents and non-residents.  Public swim this year is currently slated for Mondays through Fridays, noon to 5 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to parks and recreation director Craig Morrison.    

Chloe Bernardini

On Tuesday, June 13, a meeting regarding the possibility of updating the Calais Ferry Point Land Port of Entry was held at the Wabanaki Cultural Center.

The meeting was held to “gather comments from the public while also informing them about the process,” said Paul Hughes, Regional Public Affairs Officer for U.S. General Service Administration.

Natalie Boomer

[email protected]

Mikayla Beers, of Baileyville, announced in early June that she will be opening up her a fitness studio on North Street in Calais. 

According to Beers, Vibe Fitness is “a safe space to work on your health and fitness goals without fear or judgment, a space where you can ask for guidance when you feel lost, a space where you can feel free to be your beautiful self, a space for you to feel comfortable, empowered and just vibe.”

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: