Guest Voice

By Vinton Cassidy

By Jayna Smith

For the past several years, after realizing how great the need is for the food pantries in Washington County and in an effort to decrease food insecurity locally, businessman Ian Pratt has matched donations to local food pantries.  Anyone taking part in his matching donation campaign could simply bring his or her donation to the Pratt car dealership throughout the month of November, where all donations would be matched, up to $3,000.  This year, however, Pratt was able to increase his match to $5,000.  

By Kaileigh Deacon

What’s better than a story that jumps off the page or the screen and makes you a part of it? For the last few years, that’s exactly the opportunity that the teachers and staff at the Calais Elementary School have been giving area kids.

The annual Polar Express event took place at Calais Elementary School last Thursday evening. This yearly event has grown a little more every year and gets kids a little more into the Christmas spirit. 

By Jayna Smith

The Calais Lioness Club executed another successful Christmas Parade last Friday night.  The annual parade--this year the 22nd--is always held on the first Friday of December

Led by the Lioness elves and Mrs. Claus, the parade included Grand Marshals John Mitchell and Al Churchill, two recently retired attorneys, who have provided many hours of volunteer work within the city.  

By Kaileigh Deacon

Every year for Christmas, families gather together and participate in family traditions that span across decades, and some create new practices as lives change and families grow. For one Calais family business, the Christmas tradition is helping other families complete their customs by providing wreaths, Christmas trees, and other products.

Full Ceremony Video with three-volley gun salute can be viewed online here: https://www.youtube.com/embed/BPONnYeVf-c

By Jayna Smith

On Saturday, Dec. 7th, Wreaths Across America held its annual HART (Honoring Allies and Remembering Together) Ceremony at Ferry Point Bridge in Calais.  This moving event honored the service and sacrifice of military veterans from the United States and Canada with a wreath exchange.  

Submitted by Sherry Sivret

The Post Christmas party was held after the December meeting at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church with a feast of ham, brisket, mashed potatoes and many sides and desserts.  After the meal, a Yankee swap was held with a healthy exchange of gifts including a shelf Santa, a watch and travel mugs with handles.  Post Commander David Sivret was a right jolly ole elf calling the names and helping with the exchange of gifts. 

The Feztival of Trees is a chance for businesses and individuals to give back and have some fun doing it. Each business decorates a tree with whatever theme they choose. Pictured is the Washington County Community College tree. Their tree was centered around games for the family. (Photo by Kaileigh Deacon)

By Jayna Smith

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Christmas is, of course, a time of merriment, gift-giving, and decorations.  In Baileyville, the town shows just some of the festivity through the wreaths hung along Main Street.

These wreaths, between 45 or 50 of them, are donated every year by Mike Tammaro, owner of V.L. Tammaro Oil.