Crumbs and Katahdin House Spread Homemade Goodness to Local Eateries

By Lura Jackson

What’s better than being able to enjoy locally produced homemade desserts and fresh bread? The answer – at least according to Crumbs and Katahdin House, Calais’s most popular dessert makers – is being able to get them at more places. 

Both eateries are expanding into other businesses around Calais, and the response thus far has been enthusiastic.

Crumbs available at Yancy’s, Motor Inn

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Calais Native Continues Awareness Advocacy for Rare Diseases

By Lura Jackson

Living with a chronic rare disease is a singularly difficult situation for the individuals affected by it. In addition to contending with the symptoms associated with their particular rare disease, the afflicted live in a world that doesn’t always understand what they are going through. In an effort to raise awareness and support for those with similar conditions to her own, Calais native Bridget Hunnewell is continuing her advocacy with the Hemophilia Alliance of Maine [HAM].

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Shirley Ray Coburn Retires from First National Bank

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.

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WCCC Sharing Shelf

The students of Washington County Community College are able to utilize this newly-installed Sharing Shelf near the Assembly room. The shelf offers donated food goods from the staff and community to help supplement the diet of on-campus students. (Photo by Lura Jackson)

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Book Shines Light on New Brunswick World War I Hero

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.

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Walrus Skull Found

Dragger Dave Underhill and his crew pulled up this remarkable specimen of an ancient walrus skull in the Bay of Fundy recently. This is the second such skull that the crew has pulled up. The first one was dated by scientists as being between 900 and 10,000 years old, and this one is presumed to be of a similar age. The skull was taken to a museum in Saint John. (Facebook photo)

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Calais Knights of Columbus Crown Local Free Throw Champions

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.

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Celestial Spray Paint Artist Now Featured at Crumbs

By Lura Jackson

The creation of the cosmos took a significant amount of time and energetic force – and the result is as indescribably beautiful as it is incomprehensibly varied. While none of us can recreate such a momentous event, we can recreate and share it visually. Those who appreciate the celestial beauty of the universe can now see it through the eyes of 12-year-old Aubrey Stevens, the latest artist to be featured at Crumbs Café and Bake Shoppe.

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Calais JHS Basketball Wins County Title

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.

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St. Croix Firehouse Raffle Winners

The most-recent fundraiser held by the St. Croix No. 1 Fire House Association – a raffle for 100 scratch-off tickets – was won by Shari Doten of Artemis’s Attic. The top prize for the tickets, which were purchased from Hardwicke’s, was $2,000. Hardwicke’s manager Bill Kilby drew the prize. Present were Tom and Billie Parks and Chairman of Fundraising Mary Barnard. Top fundraisers were Tom Parks, Brother Benson, Angela Nesbitt, and Irene Moreside. (Photo by Lura Jackson) Pictured in the lower photo is Dick Barnard presenting Shari (middle) her prize.

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The Greatest Constitutional Crisis Since the Civil War

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.

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19th Annual Polar Dip For Charity

By: Natalie Boomer

The crowd counted down from 10 with Darin McGaw, Dean of Academic Affairs at Washington County Community College. When the clock struck noon on March 8th, the 19th Annual Polar Dip began and the group of participants ran into the cold water. 

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Five Paperboys Hit The Streets in Calais

While some kids may have hurried home after school last Wednesday to turn on their electronic devices, 10-year old Parker Bailey was happily out and about delivering The Calais Advertiser.  Parker currently has about twenty customers, but that number is expected to increase as more and more readers are opting for home delivery in support of the local kids taking part.  Through this unique program, Parker and the others who take part are learning customer service skills and the importance of meeting deadlines, among other things.

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Driver of Pick Up Suffers Serious Injuries in Collision

By Jayna Smith

Last Friday afternoon, March 8th, first responders were called to a motor vehicle accident in Baileyville.  The accident involved a tractor-trailer truck and a pickup truck.

According to Baileyville Police Chief Bob Fitzsimmons, his department responded to the Baileyville end of Route 9 where the two trucks collided.  The driver of the tractor-trailer truck was Charles Curran of Rollingdam, New Brunswick.  He was taken to Calais Regional Hospital via ambulance and released.

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Author and Life Coach Visits WCCC

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.” 

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Washington County Delegation Attends MAND Breakfast

Washington County's Delegation recently attended the 2019 MAND Legislative Breakfast where they listened to presentations about how to improve Maine's food and nutrition environment as well as the health of Maine citizens. Pictured are Representative Anne Perry, Representative Will Tuell, Calais Regional Hospital’s registered dietitian Mona VanWart, Senator Marianne Moore and Senator Stacey Guerin. (Submitted photo)

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Crafts N Mingle Hosts Painting Classes

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. 

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SCIQ’s Sew-Delightful Programs

What began as an idea to feature youth as part of the St. Croix International Quilt Show last year blossomed into a “Sew-Delightful” program for local elementary schools. Sew-Delightful has members act as mentors to those who already have some experience with fabric and as teachers to those who want to learn how to sew and quilt.

SCIQ President Bonnie Brown-Hunter hopes the children will be bringing home a completed quilted project while having had some fun in the four-week afterschool program tailored to the needs of each of the participating schools.

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Lioness Preparing for 34th Charter Night Celebration

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. 

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CRH Security Officer Recognized for Heroism

Congratulations to Haley Black, Calais Regional Hospital Security Officer, for being selected as Securitas Northeast Region Officer of the Year for Heroism.  The award is to recognize officers for giving of themselves and modeling Securitas’ core values.  Securitas began providing security services at Calais Regional Hospital in 2016.  Haley has been part of the Securitas team assigned to CRH since 2017.    

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Tide Mill Farm Presents PES with Grant Check

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.

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Maine State Cheerleading Champions!

Calais Rec Tiny All-Star Cheerleaders won 1st place at Maine State Cheerleading Championships at the Cross Center at Bangor. (Photo by John Rogers). 

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State Police Hopeful that Tips May Prove Useful in Linda Maxwell Case

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.

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Calais Free Library Hosts Children’s Programs

By: Natalie Boomer

This past month the Calais Free Library welcomed a new children’s librarian, Virginia Brewster. 

“My very first volunteer job at age 11 was in a library. I had a very sweet relationship with the lady who taught me how to repair books and I had a blast. My family is full of librarians,” Brewster said.

Although she enjoyed the library when she was young, Brewster took a different path and pursued a degree in a different field.

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Veterans Find Peace at House in the Woods

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. 

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Maine Maple Sunday is Something Sweet

By Kaileigh Deacon

There are many different ways to tell that spring is coming to Maine but certainly, one of the sweetest is the flowing of sap through the trees in Maine. All over the state trees are tapped as the sap starts running up the trees to prepare the tree’s buds for spring.  Sunday, March 24 is Maine Maple Sunday where sugaries and other groups around the state celebrate with plenty of maple syrup. 

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Friendship Gives a Winning Advantage for Travel Team

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.

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Calais Middle High School Hosts Post Secondary Fair

By: Natalie Boomer

The annual Post-Secondary Fair at Calais Middle High School was held on Thursday, the 24th. Grades 7-12 were required to attend in half-hour increments. Although the event was held at the Calais Middle High School, Shead High School, Woodland High School and the Calais Alternative School joined in as well. The students met in the gymnasium from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

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CES Gears Up For Reading Challenge

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. 

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Publisher of The Calais Advertiser Delivers This Week’s Newspaper

Publisher Pierre Little of The Calais Advertiser delivers last week's newspapers for subscribers to the post office. He thanked the U.S. Postal Service for the years of dedication mailing the Advertiser every week. “We want to acknowledge the support of the USPS for their work and service to the public. Without their professionalism, we would not be the most-read newspaper way down east.” Little said.

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Business is Booming for New Towing Company

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. 

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Career Fair Connects Boys to Technical Trades

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.

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American Pride

While patrolling last week, Baileyville Police Chief Bob Fitzsimmons drove by 8-year old Joseph Spencer.  As the chief drove by, he saw Joseph with his right hand on his heart, waving an American flag with his left.  Chief Fitzsimmons was impressed with the boy's demonstration of respect so went back for a photo.  The American flag may mean different things to different people, but to many, Joseph's expression of patriotism is a great reminder that our flag still waves to symbolize pride, honor, and responsibility.  Joseph, a second grader, is the son of Jason and Marie Spencer.  (P

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Five Charges for Calais Man from Friday Night Incident

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.  

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National Scrapbooking Day to be Celebrated

By Jayna Smith

Even though we seem live in a digital world, many still preserve their photos the “old fashioned” way by placing them in scrapbooks.  Today’s scrapbooks, however, are not like those of yesteryear.

Scrapbooking is a popular hobby among a group of ladies who join monthly at Meddybemps Community Center.  Their family history, artwork, photographs, and more are preserved, along with journaling to share the story for future generations.

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8th Annual Downeast Scion Exchange and Fruit Tree Workshop

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.

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“Beauty” Pageants a Thing of the Past

By Jayna Smith

What used to be called “beauty” pageants are few and far between nowadays.  Many of today’s pageants focus not on beauty, but on qualities and skills such as academics, public speaking, and community service.  Such is the case with the upcoming Miss Eastern Maine Pageant.

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Shining a Brighter Light on Autism Month

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.  

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Skills USA Features Young Talent

By Kaileigh Deacon

There are many ways to look at education in regards to our students and also various ways to reward the efforts of these students.  Each year, students from all over the State of Maine travel to Bangor to showcase their skills in hopes of continuing on to compete at the national level of the Skills USA program. 

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Eastport Art Center Hosts Haiku Poetry Reading

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. 

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Online Registration Now Open for Calais Little League

By Jayna Smith

Despite ball fields still covered by snow on the first full day of spring, the start of the season is a great reminder that opening day of the 2019 Calais Little League season will be here soon.  

League board member Krista Collins has reported that the online registration for the upcoming season is now open.  Parents and guardians can access the registration link on the league’s website, www.calaislittleleague.org.

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