Jayna Smith
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When some think of giving at Christmastime, children often come to mind as recipients.  For staff and customers of Machias Savings Bank, however, older adults were thought of for the local branch’s giving tree this year.  

The cheer squad and the band are back at select Calais High School basketball games.  For senior Tristan Seavey, that means double duty–on the sidelines as a cheerleader and on the balcony at half time as a member of the pep band.  (Photo by Jayna Smith)

Kai Lamb of Machiasport captured this majestic eagle coming in for a landing in a spruce tree. Once an endangered species, there are now more breeding bald eagle pairs in Maine — roughly 800 —  than existed in the entire U.S. when they were first declared endangered in 1978. (Photo by Kai Lamb)

Jon Reisman

Natalie Boomer
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Lieutenant and board member Peter Frost of the Meddybemps and Charlotte Volunteer Fire Departments has brought a vision of his to life.

After scoring a Bob Sked at a yard sale, Frost has transformed it into a cold water rescue sled.

Jayna Smith
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Fitzgerald’s Tavern is now officially open for business.  Owner Tim Krug opened his doors on December 22, 2021, and ever since, he said, the support from locals has been overwhelming.

Jayna Smith
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The global coronavirus pandemic has halted many events throughout its near-two years, including all fundraising for the nonprofit St. Croix #1 Fire House Restoration Committee.  Thankfully, a welcomed–and much needed–donation was received last week.

Jon Reisman

Sesame Street is now a property of HBO, which has made the Muppets even more woke and insufferable then they were on PBS.  There are now specific BIPOC and LGBTQ Muppets, and Sesame Street has apologized for earlier incarnations, which apparently promoted systemic racism, implicit bias and white supremacy. I was a big fan of the Muppet Show back in the day, and I wondered how some of my favorite iconic characters would fare in wokeville.

Nancy Beal

Retired state employee John Glowa recently visited the Washington County Democratic Committee to introduce himself and explain why he is challenging Gov. Janet Mills in the race for the Democratic candidacy in next November’s gubernatorial election.

Jayna Smith
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For about ten years, Ian Pratt of the Pratt dealership has held a donation-match campaign throughout the month of November, all to benefit local food pantries.  Through this program, Pratt has always committed to matching up to $5,000 of donations received.  

Machias photographer, carpenter, and sternman Jamie Moore captured this lovely photo of fishing boats in the sea smoke near Cobscook Bay State Park this month. Freezing cold temperatures and winter storms mean Maine’s scalloping season, now underway, is not for the faint of heart. Moore works with Machiasport Captain Ben Crocker Jr. aboard F/V Dawn Marie, Bucks Harbor. (Photo by Jamie Moore)

Jon Reisman

A great deal of resources, freedom and integrity are sacrificed daily in support of policies that advertise moral superiority but accomplish little or nothing promoting their supposed goals and, in fact, are often counterproductive. Climate change, Covid and assorted Diversity, Equity and Inclusion mandates all offer excellent examples of authoritarian moral preening that damages the country without actually averting any global warming, infections, or racial animus.

Jayna Smith
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After nearly eight weeks of rehabilitation, a snowy owl captured in Baileyville back in November has been released back into the wild.  Snowy owls are native to the Arctic regions.

On November 22, the owl had been captured in Baileyville by local Game Warden Brad Richard.  The capture came after Richard noticed the bird “could fly only short distances with minimal altitude.”

Jayna Smith
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Last Thursday evening, Calais High School held its annual National Honor Society (NHS) Induction Ceremony with nine new members welcomed into the organization.

Jayna Smith
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Many children enjoy the traditional Advent calendars leading up to Christmas Day.  Each day during Advent, these children open a small numbered flap on their calendars.  Behind each flap is typically a small piece of candy or other fun trinket.  For two brothers, however, the Advent calendar this past Christmas season was very different.