Pembroke Child Care Facility Meets a Community Need

 

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

It is a common fact that finding child care is a difficult task, as the quality child care providers in the area are usually at capacity and with long waitlists.  For one local woman, Tabitha Bennett, of Pembroke, becoming a solution to the problem was an easy decision, and that’s why she decided to open her own in-home child care.

Read More

The Beat of African Drumming Comes to Princeton Elementary School

 

Kaileigh Deacon 

There have been many things that students have lost out on with the precautions surrounding COVID-19. One thing that has suffered during the pandemic is access for students to musical instruction. Due to restrictions, schools have had a hard time figuring out how to get students the musical instruction that is essential to their total education. 

Read More

Local Creates Cans 4 Cancer to Help Those Traveling for Treatment

 

Natalie Boomer

[email protected]

A local woman has created an organization to help those with cancer who need to travel hours away from home in order to receive treatment. 

Tammy Hoche of Eastport is now collecting “Cans 4 Cancer.”

She receives donations of returnable cans and bottles from people all over Washington County and then uses the deposit money to purchase gasoline gift cards for patients traveling. 

Read More

Woodland Senior Recognition

 

Left: Senior Dragon Kobe Overlock is pictured at Woodland senior recognition with brother Justin and mom Jessica Poole.

Center: At senior recognition Woodland Dragon Devon Wilder is pictured with Mom Opal Seeley. 

Right: Woodland Dragon senior Jaidyn Williams is pictured with mom Tara, little sister Brayli, and grandparents Toni and Rocky Williams at the senior recognition on Saturday. (Photos by John Rogers)

Read More

Learning in a Pandemic Brings Even More Struggles to Students with Special Needs

 

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

The adjustment to new models of learning throughout the pandemic has been a challenge for many students, from the need for reliable internet access and necessary electronic devices to working against at-home distractions and isolation from peers, among other things.  For children with special needs, however, they are often faced with their own set of challenges. 

Read More

Six More Weeks of Winter Forecasted by Punxsutawney Phil

 

By Jayna Smith

[email protected]

February 2 is always the big day for Punxsutawney Phil, the apparent famed meteorologist.  The groundhog has been making predictions since 1887, with just ten years missing from the record.  In that time, Phil has seen his shadow now 105 times, resulting in the claim that winter will last another six weeks.

Read More

Princeton Playground Closer to Reality with New Donation-Match Campaign

 

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

Volunteer and community support is coming together in Princeton, pushing fundraising efforts for a new public playground, thanks to the work of a small group, along with Princeton Food Mart and The Hometown Foundation, Inc.

Read More

Nor'easter Brings Heavy Snow on Groundhog Day

 

Calais wasn't spared from the fast-falling snow that began early Tuesday morning.  The Nor'easter slammed across New England, bringing strong winds and dumping heavy snow.  Ron O'Brien, of O'Brien's Quality Auto Care, did his best plowing his lot to stay ahead of it.  (Photo by Jayna Smith) 

Read More

Former Calais Police Officer Arrested on Drug Charges

On Monday, Maine State Police issued a press release indicating that Jeff Bishop, age 53, of Cherryfield, had been arrested by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency (MDEA).  Bishop was charged with four counts of Aggravated Furnishing of Schedule Drugs (Hydrocodone and Fentanyl) and one count of Unlawful Trafficking in Schedule W Drugs.  

These charges, the press release said, are aggravated as a result of trafficking within 1,000 feet of a school and furnishing drugs to a minor.  

Read More

Motorists Reminded of Move Over Law

 

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

Enacted in 2007, Maine’s “Move Over” law requires motorists to slow down to 20 miles per hour below the posted speed limit when encountering an emergency vehicle or public service vehicle stopped with flashing lights.  If possible, the law also requires drivers to move over at least one lane from the scene where the vehicle is working.  Drivers who fail to do so can face a fine of $326.

Read More

Baileyville Mover Tapped for Relocation Work

 

ABLE Moving Services, of Baileyville, recently learned it will be assisting with relocation work related to the construction of a new international bridge connecting Madawaska and Edmundston, New Brunswick.

Read More

Woodland High School Senior Recognition Day

 

Left: Lady Dragon Emily Erskine is pictured with Dad Fred Erskine, Mom Tina Erskine, and sister Katie Erskine.

Middle: Lady Dragon Emily Curtis is pictured with family members Ruth Curtis, Sarah Curtis, Maddie Jordan, Phil Curtis, and Amelia Curtis at the Woodland High School Senior Recognition Day.

Right: Lady Dragon Abby Walker is pictured with family members Gabe Walker and Frankie Morrison at the Woodland High School Senior Recognition Day. (Photos by John Rogers)

Read More

Easter Basket Staple Back this Month After Pandemic Halted Production

 

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

Are you a lover of the marshmallow treat Peeps?  Those sugary treats that used to be found in stores leading up to Easter have made their way to shelves for every holiday in recent years, it seems, except throughout the pandemic.

Read More

Washington County Students Advocate for Arts Education

 

Arts students from two Washington County schools will head to Augusta—virtually—for an Arts Education Advocacy Day hosted by the Maine Alliance for Arts Education on February 17. The event kicks off a 10-day session in which high school-aged teams from all over the state—including Kali Wallander (freshman), Eastport, and Tristan Seavey (junior) and Hailey Calder (senior), Calais—will meet with state legislators to discuss the importance of arts in their schools, and how they’ve fared during this unusual year for arts education.

Read More

Virtual Car Seat Safety Class to be Held by Maine Families of Washington County

 

Natalie Boomer 

[email protected]

Maine Families of Washington County usually have car seat safety checks with inspections and installations each year. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, they are unable to hold this event in person. 

With car seat safety still being a priority, a virtual question and answer will take place on Wednesday, March 10th at 10 a.m. 

Read More

Happy Valentine’s Day from Tom!

 

Happy Valentine's Day from Tom!!

Read More

VL Tammaro Makes Special Valentine Deliveries

 

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

For the third consecutive year, some unsuspecting VL Tammaro Oil customers received a nice treat on the Friday before Valentine’s Day when Mike Tammaro and his drivers showed up.  Their visit did not only bring the traditional Valentine’s Day treat of chocolates and flowers, but also brought 100 gallons of fuel or propane free of charge.  

Read More

Family’s Service Project Through Ministry Provides Free Hats, Mittens, and Blankets

 

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

Hats and mittens are certainly a necessity, and one family hopes all will take advantage of their free offering that will help keep hands and heads warm this winter season.

Right in the dooryard of the Smith’s 1 Pleasant Street home, just off Union Street, a wooden frame – or “tree” of sorts – sits near the street, filled with new hats, mittens, and gloves.  All are free for the taking to anyone in need.

Read More

Dead River Donates $20,000 to Keep ME Warm Campaign

 

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

Last month, News Center Maine hosted its annual Project Heat Telethon, a campaign established in 2012.  Through Project Heat, funds are raised to support Keep ME Warm, an emergency heating assistance program provided through a statewide partnership of Maine’s United Ways and Community Action Agencies.  

Read More

PTO Volunteers Make Students’ Valentine’s Day Deliveries

 

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

Calais PTO organized a great Valentine exchange for students, despite Calais Elementary School being closed to in-person learning.

According to PTO member Tomi Ellsmore, the group wanted to ensure the students still could celebrate the holiday, even away from classmates, especially since Valentine’s Day signifies friendship and kindness for so many of the youngsters.

Read More

Moosehorn Offers Winter Activities

 

Kaileigh Deacon 

Winter can be a challenging time to try and find the motivation to get out and do things when the comfort of a warm house is calling you but the beauty of living in Maine is that there are so many things to do even when the temperature dips below the freezing mark. In Washington County, we are fortunate to have a well maintained and looked after place to enjoy all the things the great outdoors has to offer. 

Read More

A Piece of History Has Been Uncovered in Calais by Local Picker

 

Natalie Boomer 

[email protected]

Local picker Brian Smith has found a literal piece of American history right in our small town of Calais, Maine. 

He took a document that was a mystery to many and brought its history back to life. 

According to Smith, a note he obtained has various signatures from confidential agents and personal friends of President George Washington who sold their land to him and the federal government to establish the nation’s capital.

Read More

Remember to Love

 

The Town of St. Stephen recently shared to its Facebook page this photo and a post that read, “In a world full of chaos that this pandemic has brought on, we have raised this flag for Valentine’s Day weekend to remind everyone to love each other…love your neighbour…love that person you don’t know yet and always be kind.” (Town of St. Stephen photo)

Read More

School Board Chair Responds to Meetings No Longer being Offered via Zoom

 

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

One convenience of the pandemic has been meetings taking place via Zoom and other internet-based video conferencing platforms.  Such has been the case with Calais School Board meetings, allowing for more people to watch without attending in person.  

Read More

Veterans to Get Local Support

 

Kaileigh Deacon 

For many veterans, when they return home and long after, they need support and a community that gives them a safe place to be. For years there has been a need in the Calais area for a support system for veterans and their families, and now there is something to fill that void. 

Read More

Food Pantry Recipient of Donation from Masonic Charitable Foundation

 

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

The Irene Chadbourne Ecumenical Food Pantry last week was the recipient of a $500 donation by the Calais St. Croix #6 Masonic Lodge.  That money, food pantry director Fr. David Sivret said, will go far.  

Read More

St. Croix Valley Chamber of Commerce Awards Announced

 

The St. Croix Valley Chamber of Commerce recently presented the annual awards for 2020, which are typically presented during the year end annual meeting.  Since there was no annual meeting due to the pandemic, chamber officers visited the businesses/individuals and presented each award.   

Read More

Do Black Lives Matter’s Lies Matter?

 

Last month a controversy erupted in Hancock County, fueled by left-wing media and the wokerati whose operational motto is “Obey or be canceled.”

Read More

Behind the Scenes of Blue Devils Basketball: Two Students Bring the Games to the Fans

 

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

When high school basketball teams have taken to the courts this season, it’s been in near-empty gyms under the shadow of the pandemic.  No fans have been permitted inside, leaving at Calais High School games, only teams and coaches, referees, a timekeeper, and, on the balcony overlooking the hardwood, members of the media.  

Read More

Free Membership at St. Croix Country Club Offered to All Kids this Year

 

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

Junior golfers – those ages 17 and under – will be able to play for free this year, thanks to a new initiative by St. Croix Country Club.

Read More

Covid Creations Exhibition Unveiled

 

The much-anticipated online exhibition, Covid Creations, a project of Eastport Arts Center’s Washington Street Gallery, is now viewable via the EAC site. The show includes works by 45 artists both local and far-flung, but all with Eastport connections. Most images are accompanied by artist statements revealing how these artists have approached their work as the pandemic unfolds. 

Read More

Downeast Lakes Land Trust Annual Photo Contest has Begun

 

Natalie Boomer 

[email protected]

Planning on venturing out into the Downeast Lakes region in the near future? Or maybe that’s in your very own backyard! Next time you’re outside, snap a few photos.

 These images of beautiful landscapes, plentiful wildlife, or traditions happening throughout the community can be entered in the Downeast Lakes Land Trust Photo Contest. 

This annual contest is designed to bring out the best photos of the area.

Read More

Oh, Deer, More Snow!

 

This group of deer was unphased by the messy mix that fell, blanketing their backs, Tuesday, Feb. 16.  (Photo by Jayna Smith) See more great wildlife photo submissions on page 17 of this week's paper!

Read More