Community members browse through a variety of books at the book sale, part of the annual Applefest held last Saturday at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church. (Photo by Pierre Little)

Jayna Smith

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The second of two recent meetings regarding the proposed extension of the Down East Sunrise Trail from Ayers Junction to Route 1 in Calais was held last week at the Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge.  According to the Refuge, nearly 60 people attended to hear presentations, provide feedback, and ask questions.

Jayna Smith

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A recent social media post generated widespread discussion in Calais and surrounding towns, following claims that Governor Janet Mills contacted Calais Mayor Artie Mingo regarding the relocation of asylum seekers to the city.  The post alleged that Governor Mills informed the mayor she would be sending two busloads of asylum seekers to Calais and that Mayor Mingo responded by stating two buses would be waiting to send them back to Augusta.

Following the completion of the Princeton Community Playground build, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held last Monday, September 23, at Princeton’s Brewer Andrews Field. This was an enthusiastic celebration of four years of volunteer efforts to provide a playground for the younger children of Princeton.  

Jon Reisman

In the 1990s, Maine adopted a 10% public lands goal (about 2 million acres) and began generously funding the Land for Maine Future’s program to achieve it. The effort was led by Governor Angus King and Senate Majority Leader (and future Congresswoman) Chellie Pingree, who sponsored a $50 million land bond. Twenty-five years ago, that was real money.

Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Parish recently celebrated the retirement of Cheryl Amber and Kathy Lawrence.  “Cheryl and Kathy have dedicated so many years of service to our parish, and they will be sorely missed. We are incredibly grateful for the love, care, and commitment they’ve shown our community. As they embark on this new chapter, let us keep them in our prayers and wish them every blessing in the years to come,” the church's Facebook page noted. (Photo by Pierre Little)

Jayna Smith

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A big thanks to all who helped make CDRC’s Harvest Festival a fun one!  Many groups took on events to host, including Calais High School’s JMG, Elijah Anderson and the Maine Army National Guard, Jaida Jamieson and Downeast Recovery Support Center, Calais Community Hospital, the Brendan Leddy Memorial Fund, Smith’s Towing & Recovery, Demo Salvage, and Cindy Wartman and Heather Bowles.

Jayna Smith

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Baileyville’s Octoberfest is set to return next week with a variety of events, and as always, it will offer something for everyone.

Jayna Smith

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Jon Reisman

I am going to have some version of the following submitted next session:

When a state agency advances “equity” in any policy area, “equity” must be defined and a metric must be developed and used to assess and evaluate the “equity” policy. 

This would apply to public K-12 and higher education as well.

Jayna Smith

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On Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, the Calais City Council met for its regular meeting, with Mayor Artie Mingo presiding over Councilors Kevin Niles, Mike Sherrard, Marcia Rogers, Elery Beale, Bill Quinn, and James Macdonald. 

What follows is a brief summary of the meeting, with the full meeting available for viewing on the City of Calais’s Facebook page.

In appreciation of those who have served our country, 

The Calais Advertiser will be featuring local 

veterans in our November 7^th issue.

Calais Walmart’s entry earned first place in this year’s Baileyville’s Octoberfest’s parade held last Saturday.  Downeast Credit Union earned second place, while Southard Construction earned third. (Walmart photo)

Jayna Smith

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The Classic Hits Turkey-a-Thon, held last Friday, Oct. 11, was a resounding success, raising $40,458 by the end of the day. With donations continuing to roll in over the weekend, this year's event set a new fundraising record in the program’s 20-year history, equating to 3,371 turkeys.

Jon Reisman

Maine’s draft climate action plan update is posted at Maine-Wont-Wait-Draft-10.15.24.pdf. 

It doubles down on expensive and unreliable energy (solar and wind), electric vehicles, youth indoctrination (Climate Corps anyone?), damaging rural Maine, moral preening, and refusing to tell the people of Maine how much global warming will be averted (none) and at what cost (bend over).

I will be having at least three bills submitted in response, led by An Act to Promote Sound Science and Transparency in Climate Change Policy. 

On October 10th, Barbara Dore and Seana MacKeldey, language and culture teachers at Sipayik Elementary School, and Lee Francis, principal at Indian Island School, presented at the 55th Annual National Indian Education Association (NIEA) Convention in Palm Springs, California, with their session Centering Wabanaki History, Culture, and Life in Every Classroom. They shared the history of LD 291 An Act to Require Teaching of Maine Native American History and Culture, which passed in 2001.

Jayna Smith

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As the call to reduce lead in our environment grows louder, hunters and conservationists can take meaningful action to protect wildlife. For those not yet ready to switch to non-lead ammunition alternatives, there are still ways the impact of lead exposure on avian scavengers, particularly eagles, can be minimized.

Pembroke Library volunteers have been busy preparing treat bags for this year’s Trunk or Treat event at the Pembroke American Legion on Thursday, October 31, from 4-6 p.m. The volunteers always have a spooktacular time and look forward to seeing everyone.  (Pembroke Library photo)

Paul Sylvain

Forget the Southern border.

Maine, with its mostly heavily wooded and remote 611-mile international land border with the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Quebec, has become an increasingly attractive place for undocumented immigrants to enter undetected into the United States.

Jon Reisman

HVAC Politics

I am not sure whether I get more forced hot air from my heat pump or the political ads. The heat pump at least keeps me comfortable if perhaps a little dry, plus there are green New Deal virtue signaling points. I am told that laughter and humor are good for the immune system, and given the questionable efficacy of the Covid vaccines, I probably need all the help I can get.

World Series as Election Metaphor

Sandra Smith

John Deetjen, Former District Master, came to Calais Sunday evening, October 20, 2024, to install the 2024-2025 officers for Assembly 342 of the Knights of Columbus.  

Installed Sunday evening were Gary Madore, three-year trustee; Mike Boies, Faithful Scribe; Rejean Roussel, Faithful Pilot; Ed Stover, Faithful Navigator; Father Roland Berngeh, Faithful Friar; George McLaughlin, Faithful Comptroller; Claude Landry, Faithful Admiral; and Weston Ranalli, Faithful Purser.

Jayna Smith

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On Sunday, Oct. 27, a festive scene took place at the Woodland High School parking lot as families flocked to the Trunk-or-Treat event hosted by the school’s JMG program and the Baileyville Recreation Department. With around 25 decked-out vehicles lining the lot, attendees encountered a parade of creative, spooky, and well-themed displays that brought local businesses, organizations, and residents together to celebrate Halloween in style.

Jayna Smith

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With Halloween here, we hope everyone has a fun and safe night out trick-or-treating. Whether you’re escorting little ghouls and goblins door to door or welcoming them at your doorstep, enjoy the spooky time! Happy Halloween from all of us at The Calais Advertiser, and don’t forget the Calais Free Library’s Halloween Parade across Main Street at 3:30 p.m.