By Jayna Smith  

Just two years ago, the Calais Middle/High School band was without an instructor.  The more experienced students were leading the band, yet the students hung in, a good indication that the group was determined to persevere.  

The band has since progressed well, thanks not only to the students’ dedication, but also to Ms. Christine Proefrock.  Proefrock joined the list of staff as the music director at Calais Middle/High School during the second half of the school year in 2017.  

Calais Regional Hospital is pleased to welcome Dr. Mario Turi to CRMS Orthopedics.   Dr. Turi will provide orthopedic services at CRMS and CRH three days per week.    He was most recently a surgeon at CA Dean Memorial Hospital in Greenville, ME until the OR was closed approximately 5 months ago.  He has also been providing on call coverage at Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center.  

By Jayna Smith

It was no joke in St. Stephen, New Brunswick on Monday, April Fools Day, when consumers were hit with a carbon tax to the tune of almost 4 ½ cents per liter on gasoline, over 5 ¼ cents per liter on diesel and heating oil, and just over 3 cents per liter on propane. 

By Natalie Boomer

The Ganong Chocolate Museum in St. Stephen announced a new director recently.  In February, Rebecca Moffatt was hired for the position.  Moffatt graduated from Clemson University in South Carolina with a degree in historic preservation. 

The Chocolate Museum gives guests a chance to learn about chocolate in general, and it also honors the history of Ganong Bros., Ltd. chocolates. The museum is in the building that actually housed the original Ganong Chocolate Factory, right in downtown St. Stephen.

By Natalie Boomer

Pickleball will now be offered at Woodland Elementary School and Calais Recreation Center.  Keith Ramos started the open gym seven weeks ago after playing the sport in St. Stephen, New Brunswick. 

“I never heard of it until last fall. I said, ‘Well, I’m going to try it,’ so I went in November and tried it one day, but they play at 8:00 in the morning. I can’t play that early because I have to work,” said Ramos. 

By Jayna Smith

Last week, the Calais Lioness Club celebrated its 34th annual Charter Night, an event that welcomes new members to the group.  It also pays tribute to the 43 ladies who joined together with the shared purpose of helping their community and its residents back in 1985.

By Jayna Smith

Maine could soon be the first state in the nation to make it illegal for public schools to use Native American mascots.

School Administrative District 54, which includes Skowhegan, recently voted 14-9 to stop its use of the “Indian” nickname and mascot for all schools in the district.  This came after a year-long debate over the use of the name for the Skowhegan Area High School teams.

By Jayna Smith

Eastport Arts Center welcomed over 30 talented jazz musicians last week for its annual High School Jazz Night.  The concert showcased bands from Calais Middle/High School, Washington Academy, and Shead High School.

The evening allowed for each band to perform in front of a packed house, including in front of the peers from the other schools.  None of the bands disappointed, impressing the audience with their great sounding performances.

By Natalie Boomer

Lots of Tots Child Care in Princeton is hosting an online art auction. All of the proceeds of the auction will go to Nick Gagner and his family to help with his battle against kidney disease. Each child at Lots of Tots will create two paintings to auction off on the Facebook event page. 

Staff at Woodland Jr./Sr. High School recognized Autism Awareness Month last week by wearing shirts with the quote "In a world where you can be anything, be kind," a good reminder to live by every day. 

By Natalie Boomer

The Second Baptist Church in Calais held an early Easter dinner on the 13th. The dinner was free for all who attended. The dinner was hosted by members of the church and by Grampie Bill’s Place. 

“We welcome everybody and anyone to please come. Both sides of the border, or wherever you’re from,” said Bill Gibson of the church. “We hope and pray everybody comes.” 

By Jayna Smith

A trip around Calais on just about any given day will likely lead to deer sightings.  They can be seen in backyards, behind stores, in fields, and sometimes, roaming the streets.

 It may appear to some that Calais has a considerable number of deer within city limits.  With destruction of gardens, motor vehicle accidents, and ticks and Lyme disease, it does raise the question—should we be concerned about the deer population in Calais? 

By Kaileigh Deacon

As the end of the school year winds down and graduating senior start to look at what will come after high school, one thing they have to consider is how they are going to pay for any education that follows. For many that planning includes the help of scholarships they receive in high school. 

By Natalie Boomer

The popular weed killer known as Roundup may be harming the honey bee population. Glyphosate is a herbicide and the active ingredient in Roundup. This can cause bees to be more susceptible to infection or even death. This is the same chemical accused of causing cancer in humans.

By Natalie Boomer 

Last Wednesday, the Woodland Jr/Sr High School hosted a college night for the seniors who had questions about their upcoming days as college freshmen. Student teacher Josie Wallace, teacher Carl Ripley, and Mike Boies were there to discuss college life to the students as well as to their parents. 

By Jayna Smith

Many do not have the time, space, or know-how required to grow their own fruits and vegetables.  For them, tasting fresh produce harvested only hours before is a rare experience.  

Within the next couple of weeks, however, people will be able to purchase fresh, locally grown produce right from downtown Calais at 283 Main Street, the former location of the candy store.  This is thanks to the knowledge of Mike Lawson, owner of Wicked Green Farm.  What’s more, Lawson’s fresh produce will be available year-round.  

By Jayna Smith

Downeast Broadband Utility has been actively moving forward to bring high-speed broadband internet to businesses and households in Calais and Baileyville. 

 In recent weeks, the cable placer vehicle has been seen in Calais, and blue markers have been placed on some poles, an indication that fiber is on those poles. 

By Natalie Boomer

This Saturday the Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge will be hosting their Annual Amphibian Walk. The walk will begin at 8 p.m. and last until about 10 p.m. Frederick Gralenski, a group member and longtime friend of the Moosehorn, will be guiding the walk along with Ray Brown of the Refuge. 

By Natalie Boomer 

By Kaileigh Deacon

As spring seems to have finally arrived, the City of Calais Council is starting to look at improvements that can be done around town to help Calais grow and become a better place for citizens and visitors alike.