Jayna Smith

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In a recent meeting of the Calais Economic Development Committee held on July 19, 2023, business owners of The White Birch Exchange Michael Novack and Craig Bruce expressed their concerns over what they feel is a lack of code enforcement of downtown buildings and challenges they face in their own leased location at 345 Main Street, the former Urban Moose building.

Barbara's International School of Dance recently presented appreciation plaques to Johnson’s True Value and to Border Electric, both of which have always provided trucks for the students and adults to ride on in many parades.  Shown left are Jose and Barbara Lara with David Johnson from Johnson's True Value. Shown right are Jose and Barbara Lara with Sheridan Smith from Border Electric. (Submitted photos)

Jayna Smith

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Police are warning the public and local businesses about “fake” money that has been circulating in the community.

According to Calais Police Department, it responded to a local business last week after the store had received prop/movie money.  

Although the “money” was marked “Movie Prop Use Only,” it did appear very similar to real US currency, the police department noted.

Chloe Bernardini

On Thursday, July 20th, Marcia Rogers, Mark Carr, James MacDonald, and Arthur Mingo of the Calais City Council met with Calais School Department Superintendent Mary Ann Spearin.

The meeting was called to discuss matters such as the Calais Elementary School building project, the principal search for Calais Middle/High School, open teacher positions at the middle school, and Calais Rec. Department transportation.

Jon Reisman

I first met Ernie in September of 1975 in the hallway of the Dana dormitory on the Colby College campus in Waterville Maine. It was not love at first sight or a meet cute moment. I was a junior visiting a friend and was introduced to a freshman woman. I don’t remember who introduced us, or what Ernie said. Four years later we were married and starting a life adventure together. Now I am the memory for both of us.

Jayna Smith

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Saturday of International Homecoming Festival each year brings hundreds to downtown Calais to enjoy the offerings of the street vendors.  

This year, according to St. Croix Valley Chamber of Commerce Director Kara Mitchell, Main Street will be closed from the corner of North and Main Streets to the vicinity of Jo’s Diner & Pizzeria for the annual International Street Fair happening on Saturday, August 5 beginning at 8 a.m.

Jayna Smith

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In a recent announcement to the Saint Joseph’s College of Maine community, Jeff Moody, Chair of Board of Trustees, announced that Calais-native Joseph L. Cassidy, JD has been named the 15th President of Saint Joseph’s College of Maine. 

During the Calais School board meeting on July 12, 2023, various initiatives and developments for the summer season were discussed and praised. The ongoing summer school program, which concentrates on English, math, and history, received commendations for its dedicated staff and hardworking students. A special acknowledgment was given to the elementary school cafeteria team, ensuring meals for students from various school levels.

Down East Community Hospital and Calais Community Hospital held its annual meeting of the Corporators on Thursday, June 30.  CEO Steve Lail reported that despite the many obstacles hospitals across the country experienced in 2022, DECH and CCH operated in the black. The financial results and accomplishments from the past year were discussed and reported on at the meeting. The 2022 Annual Report, which highlights much of the hard work done by staff over the past year, is available on the DECH and CCH websites.  

One-year-old Nash Occhiogrosso takes a shot at the watermelon eating contest, a popular event of Calais Fire Association’s Annual Fourth of July games.  (Submitted photo)

Jayna Smith

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St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish welcomed Father Roland Berngeh as pastor effective July 5, 2023.  

Father Berngeh, originally from Cameroon, a country in central-west Africa, comes to St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish from St. Joseph Catholic Church.  There, he served St. Joseph and Catholic churches in Bar Harbor, Dedham, Manset, Bucksport, Castine, Stonington, Northeast Harbor, and Winter Harbor.

On Saturday, July 7, the Calais chapter of the Red Knights Motorcycle Club and the Calais Lions Club held a joint fundraiser in support of the Lions Club's annual Santa's Helper program. 

Home cook Daune (pronounced "dawn") Browne has been awarded a Blue Ribbon by Just A Pinch Recipes. Browne's "Grilled Garlic Shrimp in Foil" recipe was tested by the Just A Pinch Test Kitchen who released the following testing notes:  “A fabulous way to grill delicious shrimp. The foil pouch helps to steam the shrimp and cooks them quickly. The garlic butter that's also inside the foil pouch infuses into the grilled shrimp. Easy to prepare, serve the delicious shrimp with rice and a fresh vegetable for a lovely dinner.”

Jon Reisman

Jayna Smith

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There was lots of celebrating at Immaculate Conception Church in Calais last week when around 35 children took part in this year’s fun-filled vacation bible school.  

For three consecutive days, local children kept busy with activities that incorporated music, arts, science, drama, and more all into learning and all centered around the theme Stellar VBS:  Shine Jesus’ Light.

Jayna Smith

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The handful of volunteers who make up the International Homecoming Festival committee have been planning since January for the 50th annual celebration.  This year’s festival is slated for Wednesday, August 2 through Saturday, August 5 with the first  “international” parade set to be held since pre-pandemic times. 

Work began last week on the Legacy Square Garden in Princeton. Pictured are Miriam Pippin and Eli and Jacob with Sharon Norman. (Facebook photo)

Jon Reisman

Some random and not so random notes and rants for America’s Birthday:

-July 4th, 2023 marks our 247th birthday, not our 404th. Hannah Nicole-Jones, the New York Times and the Pulitzer Prize committee are lying leftist scum, and their hate America project should be recognized as Marxist revisionist propaganda. 

-Republican Presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is a fearless populist-capitalist without Trump’s braggadocio and baggage. Viva Vivek’s 10 Truths:

• God is real.

• There are two genders.

Miriam Libby, of Baileyville, turned 90 years of age June 16. 

Miriam’s son David came from Needham, MA last Friday and hosted a birthday party for her at Woodland Baptist Church on Saturday, June 14 with about 40 people attending. Helping in many ways was Miriam’s niece Cheryl from Rhode Island and her nephew Ken Neal and wife Marie from Topsham, whom David had asked to help him. Some from the church also helped in various ways. 

Maine Seacoast Mission has selected four students from Washington and Hancock Counties to award the Davis Maine Scholarship. Through a partnership with Andrew Davis and the Shelby Cullom Davis Charitable Fund, the Davis Maine Scholarship ensures first-generation, college-bound students living in the Downeast region of Maine can complete a four-year undergraduate degree without financial burden. 

Will Tuell

At their June 23 meeting, Washington County Commissioners Vinton Cassidy (R-Calais), John Crowley Sr. (R-Addison), and Chris Gardner (R-Edmunds) have selected Lubec Town Manager Renée Davis Gray as their new county manager beginning in January 2024. In the meantime, Davis Gray will serve as Deputy County Manager, working under longtime manager Betsy Fitzgerald who announced earlier this year that she would be scaling back her duties over the summer with the goal of retiring by year’s end.