Jayna Smith

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Since 1974, the International Homecoming Festival has been a significant event for the City of Calais and Town of St. Stephen.  Celebrating the long-standing friendship between the two communities, the festival brings many to the area to celebrate events on both sides of the border and always gives the local economy a boost. This year, however, International Homecoming Festival joins the long list of canceled summer 2020 events.  

By Natalie Boomer, Pierre Little

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Editor’s Note: Wearing a mask helps protect the common good and health of everyone in the community at times of pandemic and is an act of kindness and it is not a political act.

By Jayna Smith

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Aroostook Mental Health Services, Inc. (AMHC) recently received $1,000 from United Way of Eastern Maine’s COVID-19 Response Fund. “This pandemic required a swift response in how we deliver services to the most vulnerable in our catchment area,” shared Ellen Bemis, CEO. “Behavioral health services are more critical than ever, and we are grateful for the help United Way of Eastern Maine (UWEM) has provided.”

Jayna Smith

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With businesses nationwide suffering amid the COVID-19 pandemic, border-town businesses have faced an added disruption with not only a decrease in American customers but also a decrease--or even a halt--in Canadian traffic.  Such is true at the two Calais-based Duty Free Americas (DFA) and its two convenience stores/gas stations, Hardwicke’s and Best Stop.  

By Kaileigh Deacon

Spring is a long time coming in Maine, and the urge to get outside and be active builds as we push through the winter months of snow, ice, and cold. The anticipation of spring and finally being able to get outside in warmer weather is especially strong for kids and can make them just a little antsy.  At Calais Elementary School and other elementary schools around Washington County, the Masons have partnered with them to reward some lucky students for keeping the learning going at home with the Books for Bikes campaign.

By Jayna Smith

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On Saturday, May 2nd, barricades had to be placed in front of the former Over & Under Beef & Brew building, also known as the McAllister building, at 393 Main Street. This occurred after debris from the face and roof of the building was falling to the sidewalk below.

Due to State Mandate Regarding Large Gatherings 

Organizers of the Grand Lake Stream Folk Art Festival have officially pulled the plug on this year’s festival following Governor Mills’ news conference on Tuesday, April 28, in which she announced that no gatherings could be held in the state of Maine with more than 50 people until at least the first of September, to ensure the health and safety of residents during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.  This year’s festival was planned for July 25th and 26th.

Jayna Smith

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Fiddleheads, the young coiled fronds of the ostrich fern, are a springtime delicacy in Maine and New Brunswick, and in other Northeastern states and Maritime provinces.  According to University of Maine Cooperative Extension, nearly all ferns have fiddleheads, but not all fiddleheads are edible. 

Jayna Smith

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Woodland native Ryan Lincoln has quite a list of baseball accolades and coaching experience under his belt, and now he has even more to add to his ever-growing list.  Last week, Lincoln was named Director of Baseball Operations for the University of Maine Black Bears.

Maine Drug Enforcement says three men were arrested on drug charges in the Washington County Town of Trescott overnight that evolved into a police standoff.  As part of an ongoing criminal investigation, Maine Drug Enforcement Agency (MDEA) and Washington County Sheriff’s Deputies served a search warrant at the home of Mark Fields on County Road in Trescott Wednesday evening 

First National Bank recently announced it has made donations totaling $2,200 to eleven Emergency Medical Service organizations in the bank’s market area in response to National EMS Week.

In 1974, President Gerald Ford proclaimed EMS Week to celebrate and recognize EMS practitioners and the important work they do in our nation. The 46th annual National EMS Week is held May 17th through May 23, 2020.

Washington County recipients included: Calais Fire-EMS and Downeast EMS.

By Kaileigh Deacon

On Church Street, next to the city building, is the St. Croix No. 1 Firehouse, which has been a staple fixture in Calais for over 100 years. Though the operational days of the firehouse are long behind it, the building and its history are still very much a part of the Calais community. For hosting meetings and events, as well as the beloved community Christmas party, the Firehouse is an important part of moving forward while honoring the past.

Jayna Smith

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With the recent quarantine, many friends and members of the Calais Lioness Club have used the time to thoroughly clean their garages, basements, attics, and closets, gathering all those items that no longer fit, have been collecting dust, or simply are no longer useful.  Many of those items will be ready at the bargain hunter’s paradise--the annual Calais Lioness Yard Sale.

By Natalie Boomer

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Bill Seavey, of Princeton, has always wanted to become a pilot, but went for the next best thing and started flying radio-controlled aircraft, and he hasn’t stopped for the last 20 years.

Submitted by Ann Montgomery