Jayna Smith

[email protected]

This year’s Harvest Festival got a little sweeter thanks to Jo’s Diner & Pizzeria, which hosted its very first Whoopie Pie Eating Contest for kids ages 12 and under. And let’s just say, it was messy, chaotic, and a sugar-fueled frenzy of fun.

Mia Lursen shows her pumpkin craft from a free event hosted by St. Croix Tap & Table as part of the Harvest Festival fun.  (Photo by Jayna Smith)

Time to Vote! 

Find “Calais, Maine Annual Scarecrow Contest” on Facebook. Vote by clicking “like” under the picture on the original post. Help spread the fun by sharing the page and encouraging your friends to follow along and “like” their favorite! Voting ends on October 28. Shown are only some of the scarecrows; check them out online or in downtown Calais.   

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

The 21st Annual Classic Hits Turkey-a-Thon, held last Friday, October 10, was a tremendous success, raising an impressive $39,022 by the end of the day — and with donations still coming in. The total equates to over 3,200 turkeys, ensuring that families across Washington County will have food on the table this holiday season.

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

The Maine Family Business Institute has announced the winners of the 2025 Maine Family Business Awards, with Calais and Orono IGAs earning the prestigious EOS Worldwide First General Award.

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

Last week, Rev. Robert S. “Bobby” Oliver Jr., of Baileyville, was presented with a Quilt of Valor in recognition of his dedicated service to both God and country. The handcrafted quilt was formally awarded by Paula Z. of the Kaleidoscope Quilters, honoring Oliver’s courage and sacrifice during his time in the United States Army.

This past week, Down East Community and Calais Community Hospitals had the pleasure of once again bringing another Top National Youth Speaker to over 1200 high school students in Washington County. This is the fourth occasion a speaker was brought to the area by the local hospitals. 

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

Millions of dollars in new federal funding will support efforts in Maine to reduce the presence of “forever chemicals” in the food supply. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last month announced grant awards to ten institutions across the country, three of which will direct their research toward projects based in Maine.

Downeast Credit Union (DECU) is proud to announce that it has been recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in Maine, earning 18th place in the Mid-Sized Business Category at the 2025 awards ceremony held on October 7 at the Augusta Civic Center.