By Jayna Smith

Looming cold temperatures always bring an increase in demand for the local food pantries.  With the added increase of the home heating bill, many are left with little discretionary money to spend on food.   

Recognizing how great the need is for the food pantries in Washington County and in an effort to decrease food insecurity locally, businessman Ian Pratt is once again matching donations of up to $5,000 to local food pantries.  He has done a matching donation campaign for several years.  

By Kaileigh Deacon

Congratulations to the Calais Lady Blue Devil soccer team for earning the 2019 DAC soccer championship with a victory over the Shead Tigerettes. Members pictured are front l-r: Abby Downing, Libby Biter, Lauren Cook, Ivy McLellan, Kelly Carter, and Marleen Ruesche. Back l-r: Alexis Donahue, Mercedes Owen, Madyson Parks, Annalisa Driskel, Serina Fredette, Nadra Bassett, Katie Bitar, Skylar Smith, Sage Phillips, Sophia McVicar, and Coach Courtney James. (Photo by John Rogers)

Employees of First National Bank recently raised $854.97 for the Friends of Boy Scout #32 through its Casual for a Cause program. Employees make a contribution to a nominated non-profit organization in exchange for dressing casually on Fridays for one month.

First National Bank is an independent community bank with 16 offices in Lincoln, Knox, Hancock, Washington and Penobscot Counties.  For more information about First National Bank, please call 1-800-564-3195 or visit www.thefirst.com.

Last week’s students at Calais Elementary school who were “caught being good” were Jennalynn Mahar, Damien Moody, Brock Collins, Haidyn Seavey, Abby Hallowell, Sophia Rogers, Sebastian Jamison and Max Kessler. Congratulations, boys and girls, and keep up the good work! (Submitted photo)

The Calais Lioness Club provides an annual donation to the Irene Chadbourne Ecumenical Food Pantry.  This year, however, the club decided to take advantage of Pratt’s matching donation campaign and took their donation directly to the dealership.  Throughout the month of November, Pratt will match all donations to any Washington County food pantry, up to $5,000.  Pictured are Lioness Lisa Smith, Lioness Lorraine Mitchell, Lioness Laurel Perkins, Ian Pratt, Fr. David Sivret of the food pantry, and Lioness Stacy Crosby.  (Photo by Jayna Smith)

The Calais High School Music Department held its 17th Annual Coffee House last Friday night.  Performers were students Cassidy Carr, Ben Goode, and Patrick Corbett, who each performed solos; the CHS Jazz Band; Anne Scott; Dr. Larry Newman; and Keltic Schmeltic.  

The 2nd Annual Addison Coty Memorial 5K Turkey Trot was held last Saturday in Robbinston.  Addison, a 2018 graduate of Calais High School, lost his life in an automobile accident in July of 2018.  He was a great friend to many, and Addison was well-known for his athleticism, especially his ability as a cross country runner, having finished fifth in the state in Class C during his senior year.  The race, organized by Addison's mother Angela, raises funds to present as scholarships at Calais High School.

By Natalie Boomer

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A Washington County man is in search of the origin of a strange coin that he has found.

Dana Ayers has been a coin collector for many years and is quite knowledgeable on various medals. When he came across this particular coin, he was puzzled.