1. Election Post-Mortem Notes

     

    Jon Reisman

    It was gloomy and raining when I went to the Cooper Community Center (the former Grange) to vote. I brought some cake for my neighbors who were working the polls and defending democracy, hoping to give them a little cheer on what would be a long, dark, and stormy day. If Election Day was somber, at least most of the results in Maine were not. The results across the nation were more of a mixed bag.

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  2. Bipartisan Coalition of Maine Legislators Stands with Union Workers in Woodland Pulp Strike

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

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  3. Maine School Management Association Recognizes Herbert Clark with Service Award

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

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  4. Calais Lions Club and Red Knights Join Forces for Santa’s Helper Program

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    In a great display of community spirit and cooperation, the Calais Lions Club and Calais Red Knights Motorcycle Club joined forces late last month during the Lions’ bi-weekly meeting.

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  5. Veterans Memorial Dedication Ceremony at WCCC

     

    CW3 (Ret.) Sherry Sivret, Washington County Community College President Susan Mingo, and Pastor Bobby Oliver at last week’s Veterans Memorial Dedication Ceremony at WCCC.  (Submitted photo)

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  6. Calais High School Students Pay Tribute with Veterans Assembly

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    In a great display of gratitude and respect last week, Mrs. Lori Ellis’ AP English class at Calais High School orchestrated a moving assembly in honor of local veterans, setting a poignant tone for the upcoming Veterans Day on November 11.

    The event, held on Thursday, November 9, 2023, drew a substantial crowd, filling the school’s cafetorium.  The ceremony commenced with the United Veterans Honor Guard presenting the flags.

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  7. Information Sought on Illegally Killed Moose

     

    The Maine Warden Service is seeking information regarding two illegally killed moose, one in Washington County and the other in Aroostook County. Maine Operation Game Thief is offering a reward of $3,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the killing of either of these moose. These wildlife crimes are not related.

    In Washington County in the town of Baileyville, Game Wardens received a report of a dead moose approximately 70 yards off the Grand Falls Road in Baileyville at mid-day on Friday, November 10. 

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  8. Alexander Flag Waving

     

    As in past years, many took part in the flag-waving event on Veterans Day,  hosted by the Alexander Grange. The patriots met at the former Randy's Variety to wave American flags at passersby. 

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  9. Sewall Memorial Congregational Church

     

    Bonnie Lyons

    The new hour for church services is 3 p.m. with Pastors Ron and Colin Windhorst.

    The front window is shining this month for all Veterans. If you like to shine the window of the church in memory of a loved one or celebrate or honor someone special, call or email me at 454-3252 or [email protected]

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  10. Annual International Feztival of Trees Set to Shine Bright on Community

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    The International Feztival of Trees, always a highlight of the Christmas season dating back to its inception in 2016, is set to return with a grand flourish this year.  As the holiday season approaches, residents and visitors of Washington and Charlotte counties eagerly anticipate this dazzling spectacle, which promises to captivate all who attend.

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  11. New Faces and Familiar Ones Emerge in Calais Election

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    After last week’s municipal election, the City of Calais is set to welcome the return of Kevin Niles to his post as City Councilor.  Niles, with 441 votes, along with the newly-elected William Quinn, with 373 votes, won their seats over C. Edward Moreside, who had 302 votes. 

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  12. Strikers Urged to Uphold Community Values

    In a country that cherishes the freedom of expression and the protective embrace of labor unions within the workplace, it is indeed disconcerting to bear witness to the recent developments within our local community involving the Woodland mill strikers.

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  13. Results of the Referendum Vote

    84% of the vote reporting

    Question 1: Citizen Initiative

    Do you want to bar some quasi-governmental entities and all consumer-owned electric utilities from taking on more than $1 billion in debt unless they get statewide voter approval?

    Question 1: Yes - (65%-35%)

    Question 2: Citizen Initiative

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  14. Plans Underway for 26th Annual Lioness Christmas Parade

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    The Calais Lioness Club is a powerhouse of community involvement, tirelessly working on various events to raise funds and support those in need within the greater Calais area.  Their most recent focus has been the grand preparation for the 26th Annual Lioness Christmas Parade, a beloved tradition in the town that brings the community together.

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  15. Calais to Celebrate Shop Small, Community Tree Lighting on Nov. 25

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    The City of Calais is gearing up for its second annual Community Tree Lighting event, set to take place on the evening of November 25. Organized by the St. Croix Valley Chamber of Commerce, this holiday celebration is open to all, inviting residents and visitors to come together and embrace the festive spirit.

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  16. Community Invited to Celebrate at Chamber’s Annual Meeting, Awards Gala

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    Plans are swiftly underway for the most anticipated event of the year in the St. Croix Valley, the St. Croix Valley Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Awards event.  Mark your calendars for an unforgettable evening set to take place on Friday, November 17, at the Calais Armory.

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  17. U.S. Postal Worker Chris Bernardini Honored for 33 Years of Service

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    Last week, Chris Bernardini, a dedicated U.S. Postal Service worker with a remarkable 33 years of federal service, received well-deserved recognition.  Jim Myers, fellow postal worker, had the honor of presenting Bernardini with a Service Award Certificate on behalf of Assistant District Manager Scott Manier.  

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  18. Sewall Memorial Congregational Church

     

    Bonnie Lyons

    Our new time for church services is 3 p.m. with Pastors Ron and Colin Windhorst and Ann Carter, our organist. 

    The two remaining windows to be repaired are done. We hope to have the four that are done put back in by the winter. All the windows are now repaired with only the three small windows in the entryway left to do.

    We want to thank Jane Eaton for the flowers she brought for the Pastor Day celebration.

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  19. Calais City Council

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    On October 26, 2023, the Calais City Council met for its regular meeting, with Mayor Artie Mingo presiding over Councilors Mike Sherrard, Marcia Rogers, Ellery Beal, and Mark Carr.   Councilors Kevin Niles and James Macdonald were absent from the meeting.

    What follows is a brief summary of the meeting, with the full meeting available for viewing on the City of Calais’s Facebook page.

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  20. Strong Finish for CHS Athlete at State Cross Country Race

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    Calais High School was charged with excitement last week when students, teachers, and staff gathered to bid best wishes to Bailey O’Rourke, a senior who was headed to the state cross country race in Belfast on November 4.  The pep rally held in her honor was a great display of support and school spirit.

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  21. DECH, CCH to Bring National Speaker to Address Important Topics Affecting Youth

     

    DECH and CCH will bring in a national speaker for the high school students in Washington County. The events will take place November 28 – 30.  

    The event for DECH-area students will be held at the Performing Arts Center at UMM on November 28, the event for the CCH-area students will be held at Calais High School on November 29, and Woodland High School on November 30. All area high schools have been invited, and the hospitals hope they seize this invaluable opportunity.

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  22. Ribbon Cutting at Savida Health

     

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  23. Beyond the Pale

     

    Jon Reisman

    The phrase “beyond the pale” means unacceptable or beyond the standards of decency. It stems from the Pale of Settlement, a vast and varying swath of the western Russian Empire from Lithuania to the Black Sea, where Jewish settlement was allowed. The Pale was established in the late 18th century and persisted until the Russian Revolution in 1917.

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  24. Halloween Parade Precedes Trick-or-Treating Fun

     

    The annual Halloween Parade, hosted by Calais Free Library, was a spooktacular spectacle with many cute little ghosts, goblins, and witches, along with an array of other creative costumes donned by the town’s children.  (Photo by Jayna Smith)

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  25. Calais City Council: Three Compete for One of Two 3-Year Seats

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    Three candidates are running for two three-year seats on the Calais City Council.  

    Incumbent Kevin Niles will be challenged on November 7, 2023 by former councilors William Quinn and C. Edward Moreside.

    Along with Niles, the current Calais City Council is made up of Mayor Artie Mingo and Councilors Mike Sherrard, Marcia Rogers, Ellery Beale, James Macdonald, and Mark Carr, who is not seeking reelection.  

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  26. Calais School Committee: Four Candidates Vie for One of Two 3-Year Seats

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    Calais’ municipal election is slated for Tuesday, November 7, 2023.  Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Calais Recreation Center on Academy Street.  Parking options include street parking directly in front of the center or using the parking lot off Lincoln Street.  The polling booths will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., ensuring accessibility to voters throughout the day.

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  27. Calais Community Hospital Pumpkin Decorating Contest Winners

     

    Staff at Calais Community Hospital always gets into the fun of Halloween with a pumpkin decorating contest.  This year’s winners were The Hedgehog, first place, created by Crystal Donovan, an RN from the med/surgical department; “Somebody’s Watching Me,” created by the Patient Accounts Department; and The Owl, submitted by Ric Lewis, Respiratory Director.  (CCH photos).

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  28. Harald Saeverud Music Program Takes the Stage as PBSO Fades Away

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    In a turn of events for music enthusiasts in the area, the Passamaquoddy Bay Symphony Orchestra (PBSO) has officially disbanded, leaving a void that has been swiftly filled by the emergence of the Harald Saeverud Music Program (HSMP).  As the final notes of the PBSO faded away this past July, the Harald Saeverud Music Program took its first steps toward becoming the new guardian of classical music in the area. 

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  29. Baring Residents Presented with "Thank You" Plaques

     

    Mary McLellan and Sally Doten were presented with “thank you” plagues after the Baring Town meeting on Monday evening. Pictured above with Mary and Sally are left to right, Crystal McLellan,  Ray Faulkner, and Mark Hornbrook. Mary was town clerk for over 30 years. Sally was overseer of the cemetery for 20 years.

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  30. Old School Family Restaurant and Princeton Parks & Rec Trunk or Treat

     

    Sandra Smith

    Last Saturday, the weather was the best possible for the Princeton Trunk-a-Treat joint event with The Old School Family Restaurant, Princeton Fire Department, and Princeton Parks & Recreation. Seventeen Halloween-themed trunks gave out treats. 

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  31. O’Rourke Prevails in Regional Race, Earns a Spot at State Competition

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    In a great display of athleticism, four student athletes from Calais High School left their mark at the Northern Maine Regional Race in Belfast, which took place on October 21.

    Bailey O’Rourke, Liberty Hodge, Philip Bassett, and Keegan Trainor represented the Blue Devils with determination and resilience as they faced off against Class C runners from across all of northeastern Maine.

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  32. Downeast Athletic Conference Names Fall Sports All-Stars

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    In the concluding weeks of the fall sports season at local high schools, the spotlight shines brightly on the exceptional talents and sportsmanship that have graced the fields, courts, and courses.  The Downeast Athletic Conference recently shared its distinguished honorees, including DAC All-Stars, Coaches of the Year, Players of the Year, and teams exemplifying sportsmanship in each sport.

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  33. Dennys River Mapping Presentation at Merrill Library

     

    The story of a project mapping the Dennys River over 9000 years will be presented at the Merrill Library of the University of Maine at Machias (UMM) on Friday, November 3, at 3 p.m.  Over the last year, students from UMM, under the guidance of Professor Tora Johnson and volunteers from the Dennys River Historical Society (DRHS) collaborated on the creation of an interactive map marking over 480 sites of historical significance, from Meddybemps Lake to the Reversing Falls on Cobscook Bay, encompassing seven towns along the watershed.

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  34. Anti- Semitism in Portland, Maine

     

    A Jewish lawyer who has been practicing law in southern Maine since 1979 had his Portland office targeted this weekend with pro-Palestine graffiti.  (By The Maine Wire)

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  35. Correspondence and Communications Update

     

    Jon Reisman

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  36. Editor’s Desk - Anti-Semitism on the rise

    By Pierre Little

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  37. Area Halloween Hotspots

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    Get ready, fellow Halloween enthusiasts, because the most wickedly delightful day of the year is creeping up fast.  From candy galore to bone-chilling adventures, there’s something for everyone this weekend and on Halloween.  Here’s your ultimate guide to many of the frightful festivities taking place in the greater-Calais area. 

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  38. Ghosts, Goblins, and Others to Take Over Main Street at Halloween Parade

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    For around four decades, Calais Free Library has been the proud host of a great Halloween tradition – the Halloween Parade.  This much-anticipated event takes place each year on Halloween day, summoning the town’s young and young at heart to gather at the library for the 3:30 p.m. start time for a trek across Main Street.

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  39. Students Prepare to Honor Veterans with Upcoming Assembly

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    The spirited students of Mrs. Lori Ellis’ Advanced Placement English class at Calais High School are gearing up for an event that not only celebrates the heroism of our veterans, but also serves as a profound learning experience for the young minds behind it.  The annual Veterans Day Assembly, scheduled for Thursday, November 9, promises to be a heartfelt tribute to those who have served their country.

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  40. Impressive Scenes of Spooktacular Halloween Decorations

     

    Gizmo has found himself in an eerie setting on Swan Sweet, surrounded by Chuckie and a plethora of spooky elements.  A black cat, ghostly apparitions, and skeletons complete the scene, setting the perfect atmosphere for a night of Halloween adventures.  (Photo by Jayna Smith)

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  41. City Readies for November 7, 2023 Elections

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    Calais residents are gearing up for the annual general and referendum elections, scheduled for Tuesday, November 7, 2023.  These elections are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

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  42. Princeton BBQ Dinner

     

    Taken from Sandra Smith's Princeton news column:

    Unfortunately on Saturday, Parks & Rec. had to cancel their Touch-a-Truck event due to predictions of heavy rain and wind. However, the Princeton Fire Association was able to have their chicken barbecue dinner. Also the Potter family brought their cider press and everyone had an opportunity to try old-fashioned cider. Lakeside Lemonade was there as well. The dinner was a great success and was sold out by 5:30. The lucky winner of the joker board was Jan Campbell.

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  43. Sewall Memorial Congregational Church

     

    Bonnie Lyons

    Church services are Sundays at 4 p.m. This Sunday we celebrated Pastor Sunday with our Pastors Ron and Colin Windhorst. They have been our Pastors for 31 years and they do it for free. We want to thank everyone who came and celebrated with us. I wished more people would realize how important God is in our lives and the value of the churches in our community. In Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there among them.”

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  44. Blue Devil Cross Country

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    The athletes of Calais High School’s cross country team, under the guidance of Coach Chrissy O’Rourke, have been making their mark in recent races, showcasing their dedication and determination.

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  45. Community Mourns Retired State Trooper, Rallies Behind Foss Family

     

    Will Tuell

    Even before retired State Trooper Andy Foss left this world Oct. 18, Downeasters from Steuben to Foss’s native Lubec rallied behind the career law enforcement officer and his family. Foss, who retired from the State Police in January after decades in law enforcement, had gone through a heroic battle with cancer several years ago only to learn recently that he had an aggressive, inoperable brain tumor that would ultimately take his life. 

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