By Sarah Craighead-Dedmon

As the first week of school came to a close, something unusual took place in Machias. Two U.S. congressmen sat behind microphones in a University of Maine at Machias classroom. A television camera focused on the congressmen, one of them swung a gavel, and so began a formal U.S. congressional field hearing.

The subject? Rural high-speed internet, or lack thereof.

By Kaileigh Deacon

Unless someone has been to war it is almost impossible to understand the feelings and events that each of the Veterans brings home with them. Each person that goes to fight for our protection and freedom brings home a piece of that experience and will carry it with them for the rest of their lives.

For many, their service was their duty and their honor, but that does not ease the trouble they have seen and experienced. For those, the comfort of something meant that healing, not forgetting, but healing could start.

As mentioned in the previous issue of The Calais Advertiser, Jim Bailey hosted a book signing at the Calais IGA on Friday for his new book An Amazing Journey: A Wondrous Trek Through Time on his ancestor and Baileyville founder Nathaniel Bailey. Bailey also offered samples of his new line of fruit and berry toppings with no sugar added (Photo by Dominic Gayton)

By Jayna Smith 

Another great Octoberfest in Baileyville is in the works, according to organizer Jamie Bohanon.  The week-long celebration is set for October 5th through October 13th and will include events for all ages. 

After one year of contract negotiations, the unionized caregivers at Calais Regional Hospital (CRH) have authorized a strike for the first time in that hospital’s history, Maine State Nurses Association (MSNA)/National Nurses Organizing Committee (NNOC) announced on Friday.

No strike date has been set at this time, but should the bargaining team decide to move forward with a strike, nurses and the other caregivers will provide hospital management ten days’ advance notice so that CRH can make appropriate preparations.

By Natalie Boomer

As many already know, construction has been ongoing at Woodland Elementary School over the summer. “The construction at WES is on schedule to be completed by the students’ first day of school.  The roof has been reinforced and there is new roofing.  Two new boilers were installed and there are new blowers in each classroom,” said Principal Amanda Belanger.  

By Jayna Smith

A replica of the Nao Santa María, one of the most famous ships in history, will be docking at the St. Andrews wharf from September 13th to 15th and will be open to visits before its next stop in Portland, Maine.  The visits are part of the ship’s North American tour and this is the ship’s first visit to Canada.

By Kaileigh Deacon

Winter is beautiful in Maine but can also be troublesome come spring and summer when the effects of winter weather become more evident. This is what happened at Princeton Elementary School. After a winter of ice and snow, the school’s gym was water damaged.

By Kaileigh Deacon

In Perry along the Shore Road is a family run farm called Shofar Farms. For just over a year the Guiltner family has been running their farm and yurt campground after moving here from Idaho.        

Shofar Farms has several different parts to their business. At their farm in Perry the Guiltner family has their yurt campground where visitors can spend the night or a week in a yurt getting a feel for a different kind of camping.

By Kaileigh Deacon

Even in an age of technology where our every moment almost seems to be preserved digitally, there are still many traditions and ways of life that are being lost because of a lack of practice. A local group is one of many fighting to combat this, the Wabanaki Confederacy Singers.

This group, which is made from members of the Wabanaki Confederacy from Maine, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia, is working to raise awareness and preserve Wabanaki culture through its songs. 

By Dominic Gayton

From new teachers and staff members, to freshly painted walls and a new intercom system, many changes await students as they return to Woodland Jr.-Sr. High School on September 3rd and 4th.

Former Lady Blue Devil, a 1991-graduate, was honored this year by being placed in the Maine Basketball Hall of Fame, and at the past alumni contests at CHS Becky’s uniform was deservedly retired at Calais High School. Becky Moholland was a standout 5’ 11” forward who scored 1056-points while helping the Lady Blue Devils win over 80 percent of their games during her four year career. She was a three-time All-Tourney selection and a MVP during her senior year at CHS. In 1991 Becky was a third team All-State selection, All-Tourney, and a McDonald’s All-Star.

By Jayna Smith

On your marks, get set…the Suddy 5K Run/Walk and 1-mile Fun Run is set to take place on Saturday, September 7th.  Having originated in Boston in 2005, the race is now entering its 10th year in Eastport and is always held during the Pirate Festival.  

By Dominic Gayton

The Maine Visitor Information Center in downtown Calais is a valuable resource for visitors to Maine and the Downeast region from all over the United States, Canada, and the world, but according to manager Vicki Farrell, locals are welcome as well to “learn about what is in their own backyard.”

By Kaileigh Deacon

Fairs and festivals are the events of the summer for a lot of families, and this year the Washington County Fair made its comeback. Though there was excitement about the fair and the announcement that the horse show would be making its comeback as well, later there was some concern regarding a decision made to not allow young participants.

By Heather Henry-Tenan

Labor Day weekend is typically a stressful time for Lubeckers. It is when the locals’ “Ayuh” is replaced with a defensive Lubec “Arghhhh.”  Every year tourists and locals join forces to defend the tiny coastal community of Lubec, Maine, from northern Eastport  “pirates” invading by sea, land, and air.

Wayne Sowers of Baring recently competed at WABDL (World Association of Benchers and Deadlifters) Northeast Regional weightlifting competition where he won 1st place in the bench press, deadlift, and push-pull events in the 61-67 age group and the 220-242 lb. weight class. 

By Dominic Gayton

On Thursday, August 15, 2019, the Indian Township School took delivery of a new school bus just in time for the first day of school.

The bus, a 2020 Thomas 77-passenger school bus, arrived around 1 p.m. on Thursday from W.C. Cressey & Son in Kennebunk, Maine. The bus features a state-of-the-art camera system, an electronically controlled diesel engine, and diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) which is injected into the exhaust to reduce the emission of harmful nitrogen oxides (NOX).

By Dominic Gayton

When I arrived at Bohanon’s Garage to interview co-owner Jamie Bohanon for this article on July 26, 2019, he and his uncle and fellow co-owner, Monte Bohanon, were diligently trying to diagnose a problem with a customer’s car. I waited in the office for Jamie to finish. When he finished helping the customer, he apologized for making me wait. There was nothing to apologize for. Taking care of the customer first is why Bohanon’s Inc. has been in business for 50 years.

By Kaileigh Deacon

Anyone driving by the Calais Walmart on Saturday would have seen a big yellow school bus parked in front of the store. This was all part of the back to school initiative that the Calais Elementary School has done for the last several years.

Left: The crowned International Festival Princesses are kept busy during Festival week. Pictures is Carley Waycott Miss International Festival Grand Supreme Queen helping  out at Wednesday’s peanut fair.

Right: The peanut fair is a great way to spend the first afternoon of festival. With games of all sorts there is something for everyone. Pictured are Sophia Rogers and Alizay Mitchell racing.

(Photos by Kaileigh Deacon)