National Park Service 

Girl Scouts of Maine (GSME) recently announced Cheryl Ingersoll, of Calais, Maine as their March Volunteer of the Month. Currently, Ingersoll is a Downeast Service Unit Roster Administrator, Fall Product Sales Supervisor, Cookie Product Sales Supervisor, and Cupboard Supervisor in addition to being a troop leader. The Volunteer of the Month is a prestigious title recognized by GSME. It is awarded monthly to an adult volunteer who has demonstrated exceptional dedication and efforts within the organization to benefit Girl Scouts statewide.

Jayna Smith

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What better way to kick off Maine’s Maple Syrup Sunday than with a breakfast consisting of pancakes and--what else?--Maine Maple Syrup!

On Sunday, March 24, the Robbinston Historical Society is hosting its annual Maple Syrup Sunday Pancake Breakfast.  Friends and family are invited to come out and enjoy the delicious meal, all while supporting the historical society.

Jayna Smith

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Hundreds of children are expected to once again take part in the upcoming Calais Community Easter Egg Hunt, marking its fourth consecutive year.

Set for Saturday, March 30, just a day before Easter Sunday, the event will be hosted by the National Honor Society of Calais High School.

Will Tuell

After months of congressional gridlock, lawmakers in the U.S. House and Senate passed six bills designed to avoid a partial government shutdown last week. The six bills, totalling an estimated $460 billion, provide at least $21 million in funding for Washington County projects, including $12.8 million for fish passage restoration on the St. Croix River, $7.8 million to reconstruct Route 1A between Milbridge and Harrington, and $1 million for wastewater treatment upgrades in Lubec.  

Jayna Smith

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Calais High School's Jobs for Maine Graduates class is gearing up for its second annual Spring Festival, featuring a lively spring basket raffle. Organized by JMG advisor Mrs. Lisa Brown, the event is scheduled for Saturday, March 23, and Sunday, March 24, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Calais High School.

Downeast Wrestling Club held their annual wrestling tournament on Saturday, March 9.

The tournament had over 40 youth wrestlers from three area teams – Tammaro Tanks, Washington Academy, and DWC, with the addition of one wrestler from Bucksport and one from Gardner.

DWC placed as follows: First place: Addison Brown, Baylee Benson, Henley Green, Calvin James, Loud James; second place:  Brynlee Benson, Hudson Green, Colten Mcgouldrick, Dugan Kellenberger; third place:  Ethan Clark; fourth place:  Kenneth Ramsdell.

Jayna Smith

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At the latest Charlotte School Board meeting, held last month, members made a decisive vote of 2-1 to proceed with the closure of Charlotte Elementary School.  With the vote, the school, which forms part of AOS 77, along with elementary schools in Perry, Pembroke, Alexander, Lubec, Eastport, and Shead High School in Eastport, could close after the current school year ends on June 30, 2024.

Jon Reisman

Bruises often turn purple, which is a much more interesting political color than red or blue. I took a couple of blows on Super Tuesday…what the bruises will look like and the degree to which they will heal remains to be seen.

Jon Reisman

Wayne Smith

Since he was seven years old, wrestling has been a part of Ryan Colson’s life when he first saw it on TV. He’s wrestled professionally for twenty years, has been promoting shows in Downeast Maine since 2008, and even went to “wrestling school” to learn the tricks of the trade. This is his story. 

Will Tuell

According to figures released by the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) earlier this month, the state’s fishermen took home an additional $25 million in 2023 compared to the previous year. The findings, released at the onset of the state’s annual “Fishermen’s Forum” in Rockport, were based largely on the increased value of Maine lobster and the state’s lucrative elver fishery, which is set to kick off this week. 

The SkillsUSA Championships once again highlighted Maine's top talent in career and technical education, showcasing the pinnacle of hands-on workforce development.  Taking place on March 14-15, 2024, across venues including the Cross Center, United Technology Center, and Eastern Maine Community College, this year's event drew 829 student competitors from 29 schools statewide.

The Fellowship Lego Robotics Team, part of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s Cobscook Currents 4-H Club in Washington County, was one of 25 teams to compete in the state’s first Lego League Challenge.

 The team won the Champions Award and an invitation to represent Maine in the first Championship World Festival in Houston, Texas, in April. That event will feature 160 Lego League teams from all 50 states and 66 other countries.

Jayna Smith

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Contrary to the typical negative connotation associated with being "egged," Girl Scout Troop 1608 is flipping the script to raise funds for their adventures and community service endeavors.

Jayna Smith

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Congratulations to the students of Calais High School’s drama club.  Although I was not fortunate enough to attend their performance last week of Lafayette #1, they received stellar reviews!

When Noah Lambert of Bar Harbor enrolled at the University of Maine, launching a giant balloon 90,000 feet in the air to livestream a total solar eclipse wasn’t an activity he imagined being able to do during his college career. 

Will Tuell

Final figures are in for the annual Rise Above volleyball tournament organized by Steven and Britannia Balyint, and the charitable event has raised over $4,000 for Arise Addiction Recovery in Machias. 

The event was held the weekend of March 8-10 and featured some fourteen pick-up volleyball teams from Downeast and beyond. Arise merchandise, concessions, and sweets were available for purchase as well. 

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

Eastern Area Agency on Aging (EAAA) has introduced a valuable opportunity for the older community in Calais to socialize and enjoy a nutritious meal every Tuesday at the Calais Methodist Church.  This initiative aims to foster social connections among aging individuals, complemented by a hearty lunch, board games, and puzzles.

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

Christopher Carter from Baileyville has embarked on an extraordinary journey along the legendary Appalachian Trail.  Starting his odyssey on February 18th, 2024, at Amicalola State Park in Georgia, Carter, affectionately known as “Moxie” on the trails, aims to reach the trail’s northern terminus at Mt. Katahdin in Baxter State Park by mid-June.