By Kaileigh Deacon

Students get excited around the holidays for the upcoming vacation, as well as the thought of gifts waiting for them on Christmas morning. For a group of students at Calais High School, the holidays are also some of the busiest for them.

Members of the Calais High School Student Council and National Honor Society gear up for this time of year with fundraising and projects. The group starts fundraising in November, not for a trip or a party, but in order to give a Christmas to kids who wouldn’t otherwise have one.

Submitted by Sherry Sivret

By Jayna Smith

This past Sunday, the Friends of Scouts 132 celebrated its open house at the newly constructed scout hall--and there was much to be celebrated.  Sponsors and community members were all invited to view the work and progress made. 

Many stopped by Calais IGA on Friday to snag a free sundae from Jim Bailey and his son Thomas.  The duo was giving the sweet treats away, topped with Bailey’s own sugar-free dessert toppings, as thanks to area folks.  Known as The Yankee Chef, Bailey is a chef, food columnist, and author, and his sugar-free toppings are available for purchase at the IGA.  Camera-ready is Thomas, who took a break for a photo, while his dad prepared sundaes for some local shoppers.  (Photo by Jayna Smith)

By Jayna Smith

Nearly 80 people attended the Annual Meeting and Awards Event for the St. Croix Valley Chamber of Commerce held last Thursday evening.  Taking place at Calais Motor Inn, the event included dinner and guest speaker Scott Beal along with some regular business before awards and prizes.  

Chamber chairperson DeeDee Travis, of Calais Regional Hospital, welcomed guests, and also recognized outgoing chairperson Mike Carmody.  

By Jayna Smith 

The Calais Lioness Club is always busy working on some type of great event, all to raise funds to help those in need in the greater Calais area.  For the past month, the club's major project has been preparing for the 22nd Annual Lioness Christmas Parade.  This one event draws hundreds to downtown Calais on the first Friday of each December, and this year promises to be no different.

David Sivret from the Irene Ecumenical Food Pantry along with Rhianna Treadwell, Teen Crown of New England, braved the cold temperatures on Saturday to stand outside Calais Walmart and collect food and coats during their Annual Food and Coat Drive. The day was a success with plenty of food and coats, as well as cash donations, being collected. As winter starts to get into gear, the need for families grows. While food is most thought of, the need for coats is very important as well.

The Calais Lions Club provides quarterly donations to the Irene Chadbourne Ecumenical Food Pantry.  This quarter, 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 Lion Ben Knowles with Ian Pratt and Fr. David Sivret of the food pantry.  (Photo by Jayna Smith)

By Jayna Smith

The longest running Christmas assistance program in the county is the Calais Lions Club’s Santa’s Helper Program, and every year for the past 47, the program has helped provide a happier Christmas for struggling area families.

“We raise and distribute $12,000 to $14,000 every year,” said Lion John Mitchell.  This money comes from area businesses, organizations, and individuals who donate to the worthy program.