From Dave McCullough's Grand Lake Stream town news:

Jayna Smith
jayna@calais

Long-distance runner Shan Riggs has just done something no other is believed to have done.  On Saturday, he arrived in Calais after completing the run of the entire 3,000 East Coast Greenway.

The East Coast Greenway connects 15 states and 450 cities and towns for 3,000 miles from Key West, Florida to Calais, Maine.  

Riggs left Key West on April 16.  He ran more than 40 miles each day to reach Calais on Saturday, July 2.  

Jayna Smith
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For years, the Calais Fire Department Association has been hosting children’s games the morning of every Fourth of July.  This year was no different, with many families gathering at Dicenzo Athletic Complex for the annual community tradition.

This year, approximately 50 kids came out to take part in the fun, which always consists of bike races, potato sack races, egg tossing, three-legged races, and more. 

Jon Reisman

I try not to be triggered by climate agitprop, but the combination of an Machias Valley News Observer reprint of a Maine Beacon (the Maine Peoples Alliance Progressive Rag) piece blasting the SCOTUS West Virginia vs. EPA decision reigning in unlawful climate apocalypse eco-fascism coupled with a smiling photo of climate alarmist Gov. Janet Mills and useful climate dupe Machias Town Manager Bill Kitchen sent me to the keyboard.

Ricky Cleghorn

On Saturday, July 9th, St. Croix Country Club hosted a golfing tournament as a fundraiser for Washington County Community College scholarships, which are used to help students in need.

The event can claim the sponsorship of about 20 organizations, including the Pratt car dealership and the St. Croix Country Club, which all pledge a substantial sum of money to the fund. Many families and  local businesses also pledge money to the fund every year.

Jayna Smith
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Overdoses are again on the rise in Maine, according to a report recently released by the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center at the University of Maine.  (View the full report by visiting tinyurl.com/mainedrugdata.)

The report analyzed data from January to May, showing nearly 800 nonfatal overdoses each of those months.  In 2021, during the same period, there were approximately 660 nonfatal overdoses.

Jayna Smith
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The American Pickers will soon be returning to Maine.  They plan to film episodes of The History Channel hit television series throughout the state this fall.
According to the show’s associate producer Meredith Ball, the pickers were in Maine back in 2020.  “They are very excited to return,” she said.  

Jayna Smith
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Ryan Lincoln, Parks and Recreation Director for the Town of Baileyville, recently recognized Dustin Laney as the department’s Volunteer of the Year.  
According to Lincoln, Laney has contributed greatly to the recreation department.  Above helping the kids to have fun while learning skills of the games, Laney has been a role model for the participating youth.

In addition to coaching soccer and basketball, Laney has also coached both softball and baseball.  

On Friday, July 8, Kimberly Collins held an open house with treats and prizes at her new business Boujee Bouj Skincare & Waxing on Main Street. The St Croix Valley Chamber of Commerce attended to perform an official ribbon cutting. Pictured are chamber board member Jessica Delmonaco, Senator Marianne Moore,  Kimberly Collins, coworker Colleen Fox, coworker Desiree Basset, and chamber board member Laurel Perkins. (St. Croix Valley Chamber of Commerce photo)

Jayna Smith
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After the global pandemic forced organizers to cancel the popular Grand Lake Stream Folk Art Festival for the last two years, it's back, and the impressive lineup of artisans, artists, craftsmen, and musicians will not disappoint.

Natalie Boomer
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Furever Homes Dog Rescue SETX is a rescue team in Southeast Texas that works with volunteers in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island, saving as many dogs and puppies as they can by finding their forever homes.

Whether a dog is a stray, it has been abandoned, or it is in a kill shelter, the Furever Homes team will try their best to take them in.

Around 200 people gathered for a day of togetherness, celebration, and faith on Sunday, July 17, at the St. Kateri Tekakwitha Picnic, held inside and outside Immaculate Conception Church in Calais.

In addition to a cookout, games, and family-friendly activities, participants enjoyed a concert by parishioners Denise and John McCurdy, who entertained with a guitar and a fiddle. Denise is a renowned fiddler who has played at concerts and festivals across the country and in Canada, Ireland, and Scotland.

Jayna Smith
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Coaches from area schools will join together to lead a free soccer clinic next week, all to help local youth learn new skills and improve their play.
Participants will take part in skills and drills over the weeklong clinic.  “The camp is meant for grades 6 through 12 boys and girls, and all skill levels are welcome,” said coach Josh Smith, who is the Calais Junior High School coach, as well as assistant to the high school girls’ varsity team.  

Ricky Cleghorn

The Mexican-style family restaurant, Mama Lola’s, has been doing remarkably well. A few months ago, owner Manuela Medrano, traded out her hot truck for an air-conditioned brick-and-mortar location in downtown Calais, and has since hired much more staff.

“Now we have a full-time staff,” says Medrano. “We have wonderful, wonderful girls. And it‘s still very much a family business.” Her children were running around, taking orders and delivering food at the new 28 North Street location.

Natalie Boomer
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You could be one of the first people to own an official Charlotte Volunteer Fire and Rescue cookbook.  Cook and Ladder, A Collection of Recipes from the Charlotte Volunteer Fire and Rescue Auxiliary went on sale last Saturday, July 23rd.

The team held a fundraiser at the station over the weekend and sold these cookbooks, along with baked goods, raffles, crafts, hot food, and more.

The Howard Fox Memorial Pool offers a great escape from the summer heat, but it could not be done safely without the competent lifeguards.  This year’s staff is (front) Ava Brennan, Bailey O’Rourke, (back) Gavin Parks, Luke Furtek, Cameron Kelley, Tyler Furtek, and Adam Barnard.  Absent from photo is Tristan Seavey.  (Photo by Jayna Smith)

Jayna Smith
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The return of the Chair Affair to the International Homecoming Festival will certainly be a draw to the downtown triangle park this year.  The once-annual “chair-ity” auction has been added to the lineup of events, after not being held for a few years.

The Chair Affair is an event spearheaded by Calais Downtown Revitalization Coalition (CDRC) as a fundraiser for the non-profit group.