Jayna Smith

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Many may have been noticing lately a new barbecue sauce–On the Corner BBQ Sauce–on the shelves at local stores.  One thing that sets this particular one apart from the others is that it is made locally, right here in Washington County in Robbinston.

Owners of On the Corner Farm Jason and Heidi Cronister only recently got their sauces in the local stores, but they are not new to creating the deliciousness.

Sarah Craighead Dedmon

She came Downeast intending to stay just a few years, but last Saturday, more than 150 people gathered to celebrate Dr. Cynthia Sammis’s retirement after 38 years of family practice in Washington County.

“I literally grew up with all of you, I came from my residency program to here and was going to stay for four years, but you see how that worked out. It was a little bit longer,” Sammis told the gathering. “I fell in love with the place, the people.”

Will Tuell

A member of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, K-9 Memphis, who has been on active duty with his handler, Deputy Toni Bridges, will be receiving some much-needed protection in the form of a bullet- and stab-proof protective vest courtesy of the nonprofit Vested Interest in K-9s later this winter. 

Preventing Derailment: Conquering Rancor by Building Unity

It has become apparent that there are a lot of hurt feelings and rancor being disseminated on social media in Calais in regard to the current administration of Irene Chadbourne Ecumenical Food Pantry.  This must stop.  

Jayna Smith

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Many food pantry volunteers and church leaders came together on February 14, 2023 at Irene Chadbourne Ecumenical Food Pantry.  The purpose of the gathering was a special one, the dedication of the building’s new addition in memory and in honor of Fr. David Sivret.

Jayna Smith

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Around 25 members of local public works, fire and EMS personnel, and law enforcement enjoyed an appreciation lunch at Second Baptist Church of Calais on Valentine’s Day.

The event was organized by Sally Doten, simply as a way to thank the men and women from Calais and Baileyville departments.

Calais Recreation Department’s cheer program, consisting of four teams, traveled to Ellsworth over the weekend to compete at the Crown Championship.  All four teams came home with hardware and a few additional awards, as well. 

The “Rising Stars,” a group made up of little ones in grades kindergarten through two, coached by Jennifer Beers and Cadence Braughton, came home with a runner-up award in their division.

The second through fourth grade “Shooting Stars” brought home first place. They are coached by Ashley Melhiser and Kirstie Cyr.

Bangor Savings Bank Foundation recently presented a $10,000 donation towards Calais Community Hospital’s fundraising campaign for a new digital mammography machine.  Bangor Savings Bank staff presenting the donation to CCH Community Relations Director DeeDee Travis (pictured third from left) were (l to r) Marisa Hernandez-Stow, Diane Hunnewell, Danielle Faulkner, Becky Perkins, and Samantha Phelps.  (Bangor Savings Bank photo)

Jayna Smith

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Calais Middle/High School students went back to class on Monday, Feb. 13 after water line breaks occurred on Sunday, Feb. 5, resulting in extensive damage to areas of the school.

The Knights of Columbus conducted its annual Free Throw Competition for kids ages 9 through 15 on February 4th at Calais Elementary School. The contestants each had to shoot their best out of 25 shots. Winners from this regional shoot will be able to participate at the State Free Throw Championships at the Old Town High School on Saturday March 11th. 

Jayna Smith

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The next game played by the Calais Blue Devils won’t be until next week, when they hit the hardwood at Bangor’s Cross Insurance Center for the 2023 Maine Principals’ Association Basketball Tournament.  They will enter the Class C North tourney ranked number one when they play on Tuesday, Feb. 21, having earned a first-round bye. 

Jayna Smith

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The First Hoop Program brought in $2,500 this season for the Calais High School Athletic Department.

At the final home basketball game of the season, representatives from First National Bank were on hand to present the check, which was accepted by members of CHS's boys’ basketball team.  

Ham radio operators are “unsung heroes” as they quietly volunteer to provide emergency communications in support of state and county emergency management agencies, other disaster relief organizations, and local communities. 

State Senator Marianne Moore made this remark in the senate chambers at the State House in Augusta on February 2 after the joint resolution was read, lauding Maine’s amateur (ham) radio operators and recognizing World Amateur Radio Day. The senate members then stood and gave a long round of applause as several hams were in attendance.

Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Pierre Little, publisher of The Calais Advertiser and Machias Valley News Observer, has purchased the Union Springs Herald, one of Alabama’s oldest newspapers, and says he’s looking forward to working with the community in Bullock County, where the newspaper was founded in 1866. Little also publishes Alabama’s Southern Star, founded in 1867.

January has been full of outside winter fun as our Rangers have been participating in the WinterKids competition! Our students have been able to learn and implement fun ways to get outside and stay healthy and active during our state’s long winters. We’re currently in the last week of participation and have had lots of fun–especially enjoying healthy smoothies and homemade fruit and yogurt parfaits!

Coach Sean Cavanaugh’s Calais Blue Devils hosted Coach Mark Hornbrook’s Woodland Dragons on Saturday, Feb. 4 for the annual Pink Zone Game.  The event, sponsored by Calais Community Hospital and PCT Communications, raises awareness of breast cancer and the importance of breast cancer screening.  Both teams, shown here, donned pink shirts for pregame warmups, while many fans of both teams came also wearing pink.  (Photo by Jayna Smith)

Joyce Kryszak, 

Maine Monitor

Once a thriving lumber community that dates back to the late 1700s, the humble town of Dennysville in far Downeast Maine now could be easily overlooked. Travelers zip along US Route 1 on their way to busier, more prosperous places, such as the City of Calais, 50 minutes farther east at the Canadian border.

Jayna Smith

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vs. Narraguagus

On Tuesday, Jan. 24, the Lady Blue Devils hosted the Narraguagus Knights, picking up their eighth win of the season, 54-42.  

Calais had three players score in double digits.

Sophomore Kate McPhee led with a double-double, dropping in 19 points and grabbing 14 rebounds.  She also had three blocks.

Jayna Smith

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Starting with Small Business Saturday in November and through the first week of January, all were encouraged to shop locally for a chance to win a cash prize with the St. Croix Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Loyal to Local program.

This was the first year the Chamber hosted the event, and the board said it was hugely successful with many taking part and local businesses being very receptive.

Ricky Cleghorn

This is a two-part article providing information on Downeast Broadband Utility (DBU), the first and only municipal broadband utility in the State of Maine.

Woodland’s Asher Bishop Claims Third

The 2023 Penobscot Valley Conference Wrestling Championship was held last Saturday with 12 teams competing at Mount Desert High School. 

The Calais varsity wrestling team, coached by Spencer McCormick, has three wrestlers on the roster, all of whom are freshman: Chase Scott at 106 lbs., Ike Soucy at 126 lbs., and Wyatt Demmons at 170 lbs.

According to McCormick, first-year wrestler Wyatt Demmons has consistently progressed his skill set and has earned a 10-11 record on the season so far.