By Lura Jackson

After nearly 24 years, Shirley Ray Coburn has retired from First National Bank in Calais. A retirement celebration for Coburn was held at the branch on Friday, March 1st.

“I don’t really have any plans,” Coburn said. “Just to enjoy life.” She plans to do so with her husband, Barry, at their family camp as well as by visiting her three sons and five grandchildren, currently spread between Colorado, Albuquerque, and Delaware.

By Lura Jackson

An orphaned boy goes on to join the Canadian Army during World War I, leads his platoon, negotiates a frontline truce, and is later decorated by King George V. While Gordon Lasky never called himself a hero, his story tells of the finest kind of heroism – one based on principles of fairness and goodwill. Lasky’s exceptional biography has been captured in the newly-released New Brunswick Lad: Memories of a World War I Canadian Soldier by Red Beach native Dr. Ken Ross.

The St. Croix Knights of Columbus #149, held their Council Free Throw Contest, this past Saturday, March 2nd, at the Woodland High School. The proud winners, posed for a photo with the local Knights.

Four boys are 10 to 13, were named Council champions of the 2019 Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship and have earned the right to compete at the State Level. The St. Croix Council #149 in Calais, sponsored the local competition at the Calais Elementary School. All youngsters ages 9 to 14 were eligible to participate.

Congratulations to Calais JHS basketball as they captured the 2019 County Championship with a 50-39 win over runner-up Woodland JHS. Pacing the win was Jace Cook and Ryland Sabattus each with 15-points and Alex Richard and Matt Dana each adding 8-points. On the Dragon ledger Ethan Monk hit 10-points and Brogan Brown added 9-points; Shain McIver and Nate Scharff each had 4-points. Pictured for Calais are l-r:  Reece Sabattus, Coach Nib Sabattus, Ryland Sabattus, Landon Ritchie, Ales Richard, Zack Johnson, Matt Dana, Jace Cook, Aidon Benson, Josh Calder, and Coach Hornbrook.

By Conrad Black

The most immense and dangerous public scandal in American history is finally cracking open like a ripe pomegranate. The broad swath of the Trump-hating media that has participated in what has amounted to an unconstitutional attempt to overthrow the government are reduced to reporting the events and revelations of the scandal in which they have been complicit, in a po-faced ho-hum manner to impart to the misinformed public that this is as routine as stock market fluctuations or the burning of an American flag in Tehran.

By: Natalie Booomer

Lanette Pottle, a former student of Washington County Community College, returned to the school on February 6th to give a presentation, “When Big Feels Overwhelming, Start Small.” Pottle is now a life coach who helps people reach their goals, as well as an author, who recently published a new book, “Small Steps, Big Impact.” 

By: Natalie Boomer

Crafts N Mingle is known as part art class and part party. When you sign up for a Crafts N Mingle class, instructor Silk Alderette will teach you how to create your very own painting while you get to socialize and make new friends. 

“I noticed there were not many places for artists/craft-makers to meet and socialize. Thus, I started having paint and sips at Tri Cinema Studios, which is the parent company of Crafts N Mingle,” said artist and teacher, Silk. 

Many are familiar with the Calais Lioness Club, a group of hard-working ladies who bring good to the area.  The membership of the club is dedicated to working within the local community, to enhance the area and assist others in need. 

The small club makes local donations in excess of $8,000 annually.  This money is raised through various events such as yard sales, road tolls, raffles, and the ever-popular Super Draw held during the International Homecoming Festival, to name just a few. 

On Tuesday, March 5, dairy farmer Jane Bell of Tide Mill Organic Farm in Edmunds Twp., presented students and staff of Princeton Elementary School with a grant check for $1,600. The award is from the Maine Dairy & Nutrition Council’s Fuel Up to Play 60 program, which is funded by dairy farmers, and is to be used for healthy eating and physical activity initiatives within the school. PES will be getting a new smoothie machine and serving smoothies during breakfast, and they will be getting playground stencils to help increase play and activity during recess. Ms.

By Jayna Smith

For many, the date of August 23, 1984, is a haunting one.  At that time, what is now the parking lot of Johnson’s True Value was the hang out for many teenagers and young adults.  Summer was coming to an end, and most of those kids would soon be headed back to high school or off to college. But it was the last time 18-year-old Linda Maxwell was seen alive.

By Jayna Smith

Regardless of where one travels from Calais, the starting point of the route nearly always leads “through the woods.”  Traveling 65 miles northwest from Calais will lead you to Lee, population 884 (according to the US Census Bureau), which many may say is a nice drive “through the woods.”  What many do not know, however, is that there is something big tucked away in that little town—House in the Woods Military & Family Retreat. 

By Jayna Smith

Being part of a basketball team that has played and practiced together for years, or even many months, often makes for a much stronger, better skilled team than one that has not.  This year's Calais Rec. 5th/6th grade girls' team, made up of only seven players from three different schools, all with varying levels of basketball experience, proved that working extra hard in only a short time--coupled with friendship among the teammates--can indeed make a championship team.

By Kaileigh Deacon

Literacy is such an important part of a child’s education, but for so many, reading is not a priority or too challenging for them so they choose not to do it. Every spring the Calais PTO helps to encourage literacy at Calais Elementary School by hosting a two-week Read-a-Thon. 

By Jayna Smith

New businesses in the area are always a positive thing, and what is just as pleasing is when “hometown folks” move back to start them.  Such is the case with 1999 Woodland High School graduate Chip Smith, owner of Smith’s Towing and Recovery.

 Smith studied business at the University of Maine at Machias and spent close to the last twelve years in the Bangor area as a manager with Pepsi.  There, he dealt mostly with independently-owned convenience stores, appreciating the direct interaction with the small business owners and staff. 

By Jayna Smith

Eighth grade boys from fourteen different Washington County schools visited Washington County Community College last Friday to take part in a career fair.  The event lasted most of the day and provided the boys with information and hands-on experience with technical career opportunities.

By Jayna Smith

Last Friday night, March 22, Calais Police Department received a report of an intoxicated male being disorderly on North Street.  

According to Calais Police Department, the person was located at the North Street Circle K.  He had locked himself in the restroom and claimed to have had a weapon. The store was evacuated and other law ​enforcement agencies were called to the scene.  

By Natalie Boomer

Last Saturday, Healthy Acadia and Cobscook Community Learning Center (CCLC) held the 8th Annual Downeast Scion Exchange and Fruit Tree Workshop. The workshop was led by C.J. Walke, an orchard educator with

Maine Organic Farmer and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) and members of the Washington County community. The event took place at the Cobscook Community Learning Center.

By Jayna Smith

Last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention determined that approximately 1 in 59 children is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, with boys four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls.  

By: Natalie Boomer

Award-winning poet, Catherine J.S. Lee read from her Haiku collection on the 24th at the Eastport Art Center. Lee included her piece, All That Remains, which was re-published just last year under her own imprint, Sea Smoke Press. All That Remains is the first haiku collection that she has done alone.