1. Birthday Veracity

     

    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.

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  2. Independence Day Fireworks Shows, Parades, and More Fun

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  3. Miriam Libby Celebrates 90th Birthday

     

    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. 

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  4. It’s a Hot Lunch Summer in Washington County

     

    Natalie Boomer

    [email protected]

    The Maine Department of Education is back with the return of the state’s summer food service program, Hot Lunch Summer!

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture provides children ages 18 and under with healthy meals throughout the summer months at no cost. 

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  5. CHS Senior 1 of 4 Downeast Students Selected for Fully-Funded, Four-Year Scholarship

     

    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. 

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  6. School Trip to Grocery Store Teaches Young Students Life Skills

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    When one thinks of summer school, field trips and cupcakes surely may not come to mind.  For kids at Woodland Elementary School, however, a field trip to Calais IGA earned them cupcakes to decorate right in the store, but it didn’t come without some hard work first.

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  7. County Commissioners Select Davis-Gray as New County Manager

     

    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. 

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  8. Woodland Baseball Standouts Play in State Senior All-Star Game

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    Two local athletes played last week in the 2023 Class C/D North vs. South Senior Baseball Game, which took place on Thursday, June 22 at St. Joseph’s College in Standish. 

    Shane McIver and Braden Richard, both recent graduates of Woodland High School, were among those invited in a trio of games at the college.  The games included the Class C/D Senior All-Star Game, the Class A/B Senior All-Star Game, and an underclassmen game.

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  9. Bigfoot’s Activity Center Opens in Baileyville

     

    Natalie Boomer

    [email protected]

    Folks of Washington County celebrated the grand opening of Bigfoot’s Activity Center in Baileyville on Sunday, June 18th.

    “The grand opening was a huge success. No rain or cool temps was going to stop us. We had a great time welcoming patrons to the center to have fun,” said co-owner Kati Grass. 

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  10. Famous Blueberry-Shaped Building Opening Doors for 2023 Season

     

    The famous blueberry-blue dome in Downeast Maine, home to the beloved Wild Blueberry Land bakery and gift shop for over 20 years, will open this summer as the Wild Blueberry Heritage Center on June 29th. Guests will be able to shop wild blueberry themed items, purchase wild blueberry baked goods, and learn about the tiny but mighty wild fruit from exciting exhibits.

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  11. Pine Tree Power and The President’s Analyst: Climate Alarmist Plot

     

    Jon Reisman

    When I was a kid, Bell Telephone (or Ma Bell), had a near total monopoly on telephone service and equipment. You could have any kind of phone you wanted, as long as it was a rotary dial black number, and you had to rent, not buy, it from Ma Bell. The phone company was a convenient and reviled villain.

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  12. City of Calais Welcomes Downeast Community Partners Office at City Building

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    Obtaining social services for those in the greater-Calais area just got a lot easier, thanks to a collaboration between the City of Calais and Downeast Community Partners.

    Last Friday, June 16, a ribbon cutting was held at the Calais City Building to officially mark the newest location for DCP, now with offices located upstairs in the city building on Church Street.  

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  13. CHS Boys Tennis are Northern Maine Runners Up

     

    Jeremy Turner Named PVC Player of the Year

    On the boys side, the Calais tennis team navigated through a very tough schedule and finished the regular season at 12-0.  This led them to the number two seed heading into the playoffs.

    After playoff victories over Madawaska and Washington Academy, the boys earned the right to play in the Northern Maine Class C Championship at Bates College in Lewiston against an undefeated top-seeded Orono team.

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  14. Maine Osteopathic Association Honors Maine D.O.s at Annual Convention

     

    The Maine Osteopathic Association (MOA) held its 112th Annual Convention at the Samoset Resort in Rockport June 2-4.  During the convention, the association also held its Annual Awards Luncheon to honor the contributions of osteopathic physicians in Maine.

    MOA 2023 award recipients were as follows:  

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  15. Vibe Fitness to Open in Next Month in Calais

    Natalie Boomer

    [email protected]

    Mikayla Beers, of Baileyville, announced in early June that she will be opening up her a fitness studio on North Street in Calais. 

    According to Beers, Vibe Fitness is “a safe space to work on your health and fitness goals without fear or judgment, a space where you can ask for guidance when you feel lost, a space where you can feel free to be your beautiful self, a space for you to feel comfortable, empowered and just vibe.”

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  16. ARRL Field Day this Weekend

     

    Ham radio operators from the St. Croix Valley Amateur Radio Club will be participating in a national amateur radio exercise from 2 p.m. on Saturday until 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 25 – 26. This year's event will be taking place at the Alexander Elementary School grounds, 1430 Airline Road, Alexander. 

    The event is ARRL Field Day (www.arrl.org/FieldDay), an annual amateur radio activity organized since 1933 by ARRL, the National Association for Amateur Radio in the United States.

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  17. WES Students Collaborate with Maine Composer

     

    Woodland Elementary School recently performed their Annual Spring Concert. 

    The gymnasium was filled to capacity as the Beginner Band, Chorus, and Advanced Band showcased their talents. Of special note, the chorus presented a piece entItled “Mother Maine,” which was written by Maine composer Lee Southard. 

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  18. Calais Rec. Dept. Junior High Team Honored

     

    The eighth graders who played on the recreation department’s junior high softball team were recently honored. The coaches said the team had a great season and will be a positive addition to the high school team next year.  Pictured are (front) Sarah Wentworth, MacKenzie Smith, Destiny Holmes, Sadye Cottrell, (back) Coach Crystal McLellan, Hayden Sabattus, Chole Milburn, Trinity Newell, Kaci Small, Coach Joey Craig and Craig Morrison. (Submitted photo)

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  19. Pirates T-Ball

     

    T-Ball through Calais Little League recently wrapped up the season.  Pictured here are team members of the Pirates: Coach Jeremy Willson, Aubree Curtis, Jovie Willson, Charlotte Fullerton, Kensley Fullerton, Ellory Ramsdell, Carson McIver, Kinslee Occhiogrosso, and Coach Brittany Occhiogrosso. Not pictured is Olivia Korasadowicz. (Submitted photo)

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  20. New Sign to Celebrate the Women of GLS

     

    The screen house has just received its new sign celebrating the Women of Grand Lake Stream.  The sign was designed and made by Jane Devereux, a member of the Women to Women Group. (Photo submitted by  Susan Whitely)

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  21. Public Meeting Held for New Land Port of Entry at Ferry Point

     

    Chloe Bernardini

    On Tuesday, June 13, a meeting regarding the possibility of updating the Calais Ferry Point Land Port of Entry was held at the Wabanaki Cultural Center.

    The meeting was held to “gather comments from the public while also informing them about the process,” said Paul Hughes, Regional Public Affairs Officer for U.S. General Service Administration.

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  22. Feedback

     

    Jon Reisman

    I do not get (or give) a huge amount of feedback, but I appreciate it. Criticisms, praise and suggestions are delivered via e-mail, snail mail, in grocery store aisles and by the side of the road. Praise is good for the ego, but criticism is better for the product For fifty years, the Beatles and The Prince have both battled and stayed with me. Niccolo Machiavelli counselled that it is better to be feared than loved; John Lennon countered that all you need is love.

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  23. Get Ready to Make a Splash: City Pool Set to Open Next Week

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    An official sign of summer is the opening of the city’s Howard Fox Memorial Pool, and on Monday, June 19, it is set to open, along with summer day camp set to begin.

    The pool is open seven days a week for both Calais residents and non-residents.  Public swim this year is currently slated for Mondays through Fridays, noon to 5 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to parks and recreation director Craig Morrison.    

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  24. Bowling Tournament Brings Over $2,000 for Kenny Murphy Memorial Fund

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    The members of the Spednic Club in Baileyville are well known for giving back to others in the community in times of need and to worthy causes and organizations.  Recently, they did that again with a bowling tournament held to benefit the Kenny J. Murphy Jr. Memorial Fund.  

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  25. New Sign Near School Erected in Memory of Crossing Guard

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    A dedication ceremony was held on Friday, June 9, at the crosswalk by Calais Elementary  School.

    According to Calais City Manager Mike Ellis, the location is the area “where John ‘Jack’ Monaghan faithfully volunteered as a crosswalk guard for 26 years, ensuring the safety of thousands of children in the Calais community.”

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  26. New Manager at Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge has a new manager.  

    John Magera, along with his wife Karin, moved to the area in January from southeast Texas for the new role.

    While in Texas, Magera served as refuge manager for the Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge.  There, he was responsible for more than 10,000 acres of native prairie, a position he held for five years.

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  27. City Explores Development of Dog Park

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    The City of Calais is home to numerous outside areas that can be used to benefit people’s physical health, but one thing it lacks is a space for four-legged friends to run free for exercise.  

    For pet owners who prefer to allow their canine companions to run free, a dog park is a perfect place to do so.  A dog park is a public park, typically fenced, where people and their dogs can play and socialize together.  

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  28. Downtown Park Officially Gets New Name

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    A community space in downtown Calais officially has a new name.

    At the June 8, 2023 meeting of the Calais City Council, Calais Downtown Revitalization Coalition (CDRC) members Anne Nixon and Chris Niles requested that the park, often referred to as “Triangle Park,” be officially named “Flat Iron Park.”

    The name “Triangle Park” has no historical significance; “Flat Iron,” however, does.

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  29. Calais 8th Grade Trip

     

    The Calais eighth grade class enjoyed their end-of-year trip.  Just some of the activities included a tour of Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts and fun at Canobie Lake Park in New Hampshire. (Submitted photo)

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  30. Bangor Christian Outlasts Woodland in Extra Inning Semi-Final Thriller

     

    Kobe Saunders

    After beating the Fort Fairfield Tigers 8-2 in quarter-final action on Friday, June 9, the three-seed Woodland Dragons were hosted by the number two seed Bangor Christian Patriots in a Class D Northern Maine semi-final baseball game on Saturday at Husson University. 

    The game started off as a pitching duel, as Woodland pitcher and DAC Player of the Year Evan Curtis and Patriots pitcher Cole Payne would not allow a single hit until the later innings.

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  31. Students Take Part in STEM Activities through Institute for Curious Youth

     

    Last week June 5 to 9, the Institute for Curious Youth (ICY) was held at Washington County Community College (WCCC).  More than 20 students from Indian Township took part in the five-day event. Students participated in hands-on activities focused on sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). 

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  32. CCH Introduces New 3D Mammography Machine

     

    A new, state-of-the-art Senographe Pristina 3D mammography machine is the most recent addition to the Calais Community Hospital radiology department.

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  33. Kilowatt Killers II

     

    Jon Reisman

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  34. Woodland High School Sends off 33 at Graduation

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    Graduation for the Woodland High School Class of 2023 was held Saturday morning, June 3, in front of a full gymnasium.  The 33 graduates marched to their seats, led by Class President Braden Richard, to the traditional “Pomp and Circumstances,” in front of faculty and staff, friends and family, and other members of the community.

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  35. Calais High School Celebrates Graduates at 2023 Commencement

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    Calais High School held its graduation ceremony on Sunday, June 4, with 54 students receiving their diplomas.  

    Members of the class of 2023 were led in the processional by Class President Anneleise Rollins.  

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  36. Rotarians Participate in Roadside Cleanup Effort

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    On Saturday, June 3, members of the St. Croix Area-Calais Rotary Club took to Route 1 for their annual roadside cleanup.  

    According to club member David Montague, “ten intrepid volunteers and a trio of enthusiastic children” participated, despite the cold wind and rain.  

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  37. Kilowatt Killers: Blame the Climate Cultists

     

    Jon Reisman

    Five thoughts as summer blackouts loom:

    • Civilization is largely dependent on affordable and reliable energy;

    • Increasingly, we have neither;

    • The responsibility for that lies with the climate cultists and the Democratic Party which is imposing their religion on America;

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  38. CES Students Attend MLMI Conference

     

    Fourth graders from Calais Elementary School recently attended the Maine Learning Technology Initiative Conference at the University of Maine, Orono.  The students attended two different sessions from among many, such as how to make an app, how to build an escape room, CANVA (pictures), green screen, and more.  They also saw the 3D printed house and had the opportunity to see the huge size of a windmill blade.  Among the 1,100 students in attendance from around the state, these Calais students were the youngest.  (CES photo)

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  39. Down East Hospice Spring Training Graduates

     

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  40. Second Annual Festival Celebrating All Things Rhubarb Hailed a Success

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    Rhubarb is for Lovers was the theme of this year’s Rhubarb Festival, and it proved just that, with well over 300 people coming through the gates, according to organizer Georgie Kendall, despite the low temperatures in the mid-40s the drizzly day brought.

    The Rhubarb Festival, now an annual event hosted by Kendall Farm in Perry, took place on Saturday, June 3, with a line-up chock-full of activities for people of all ages to enjoy.

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  41. Calais Press Owner Retires

     

    Eric Hinson, owner and operator of the Calais Press, has announced his retirement. 

    "After 40 years in the business, I have decided to clean my ink knife for the last time," he said. 

    The services of Calais Press passed on to the Snowman Group, a long-established, family-owned printing business located in Hermon, on June 1, 2023. Eric and his wife Beth, who also works at the Calais Press, are looking forward to enjoying a more leisurely life. 

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  42. Charlotte School Board Agrees on New Budget

     

    Chloe Bernardini

    The budget for Charlotte Elementary School’s 2023-2024 year was lowered by the school board at the meeting last Wednesday, May 31st. 

    About $7,500 was cut from the original $297,541.43 that was originally suggested by the school committee.

    “The board was concerned that the $7,500 is too small of a cut to make the budget pass, but we really didn't have any other places to safely cut,” said Janet Moholland, a member of the school board.

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  43. Leona MacBride Scholarship Recipient

     

    GFWC/Lubec Woman’s Club and Regional Medical Center at Lubec are pleased to present Jenna Gallant with the Leona MacBride Scholarship.  The scholarship is $1,000.  Jenna is a 2023 graduate of Machias Memorial High School and will be attending Eastern Maine Community College where she has been accepted into their Medical Assistant Technology program.  (Pictured left to right, Tom MacDonald, CEO RMCL, Jenna Gallant, and Julia Brady, Lubec Woman’s Club)

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  44. Veterans Honored, Remembered During Calais Memorial Day Events

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    Memorial Day ceremonies to remember fallen heroes took place in Calais on Monday, starting with the wreath laying ceremony at Ferry Point Bridge.

    A small group gathered downtown at the international bridge for the annual event with active duty service members, other veterans, and representatives from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Calais Fire-EMS.

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  45. Woodland High School Prom

     

    Pictured before heading off to prom last Saturday night are seniors Ethan Monk, Shain McIver, Reece Sabattus, Cyrus Sewell, Weston Bailey, and Braden Richard.  See more photos on page 9 of this week's The Calais Advertiser.

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