By Kaileigh Deacon

Some traditions are unique and might cause people to raise an eyebrow, but the annual Washington County Community College Polar Dip has people donning their bathing suits and jumping into the freezing water at Sipyak Point.

Calais Celtic Concerts is very excited to bring back the multi-award winning new group, from Connemara Ireland, HighTime, at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 2 Park St., Calais, on Saturday, Feb. 29, at 6 p.m. US/ 7 p.m. Canadian time. The doors will open at 5 p.m. EST.

By Kaileigh Deacon

For most, coaching would seem a daunting task that was more of a hassle than it was worth. But for Woodland High School Coach Missy Campbell, coaching has been a way of life for the last 25 years.  

By Jayna Smith

jayna@calais.news

Thrift shops have been gaining in popularity, not only because of the extensive array of great items that can be found for cheap but because they allow buyers an opportunity to repurpose items, slowing down waste and keeping items out of landfills.  

By Natalie Boomer 

natalie@calais.news

Poet Jason Grundstrom-Whitney will be reading from his book, “Bear, Coyote, Raven”, at the University of Maine at Machias on Thursday, March 12th at 4 p.m.

By Kaileigh Deacon

For anyone that has attended Calais High School in the last 40 years, they are more than likely familiar with the week before February vacation, known as Winter Carnival. Since its inception, Winter Carnival has been a way to bring the school together and celebrate the upcoming vacation.

Mark Macey, Eastport Arts Center and Stage East’s Island Institute Fellow, is presenting a series of workshops for high school drama clubs, focusing on physical comedy, a performance mode where movement is the primary method of storytelling. Calais High School and Shead High School groups’ workshops were held in January. Washington Academy and Cobscook Institute sessions are planned.

Hollis Edward Beers, age 92, and Helen Marjorie (Short) Beers, age 90, married on February 16, 1949.  The couple live in Vanceboro and will be celebrating 71 years of happiness together!  Mr. and Mrs. Beers are parents to Linda Weymouth, David Beers, Danny Beers, and Michael Beers.  They also have six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Congratulations to them from everyone at The Calais Advertiser!  (Submitted photo)

Senior Captain Lady Blue Devil veteran guard Olivia Huckins is pictured with mother Jennifer Huckins, sister Logan Huckins, and father Dallas Huckins after scoring her 1,000th-career point against the Lady Knights in the regular season finale. (Photo by John Rogers)

When Machias Savings Bank learned that the St. Croix International Quilters were struggling to keep their “Quilts for Hospice” program afloat, they were quick to reach out with a most generous donation of $500 so that the program could continue.

By Jayna Smith

jayna@calais.news

It was the fall of 1959 when 15-year-old Rick first laid eyes on 13-year-old Barbara.  He saw her at a dance he attended with a couple of friends.  “I saw her dancing, and I said, ‘Geesh, I’ve gotta dance with that girl,’ and so I did, and I told my buddy, ‘I gotta see if I can go out with her,’ and I just fell in love with her right from the get-go,” Rick Roussel said of his now-wife, Barbara.

Claims he was told, “Once you take the uniform off, you’re not really a police officer anymore.”

By Jayna Smith

jayna@calais.news

A local police officer has been told he’s not allowed to carry his department-issued handgun while attending classes at Washington County Community College (WCCC).

Pictured is the Calais Blue Devil basketball team. Members include front l-r: Alex Richard, Jace Cook, JD Turner, Reece Sabattus, Tyler Furtek, and Kyle Richard. Back l-r: Matthew Dana, Tony Dana, Mason Ritchie, Jacob Sockabasin, Cameron Kelley, Dawson Critchley, Ryland Sabattus, Luke Furtek, and Coach Darrin Constant. (Photo by John Rogers)

By Jayna Smith 

and Pierre Little

jayna@calais.news

After a recent update to the city council, Calais Regional Hospital’s CEO Rod Boula sat down with The Calais Advertiser, providing more specifics on the current state of the hospital.  

By Kaileigh Deacon

As the ground freezes and snow starts to fall, the appearance of animals becomes more of a rare sight, and when people get a chance to see them they get excited. Oftentimes that excitement leads to people leaving food out for the animals, feeling they are helping.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Three people were killed and a fourth injured in a shooting rampage that took place at three locations in Machias and Jonesboro on the morning of Monday, Feb. 3. 

Calais Regional Medical Services is pleased to announce that Dr. James Eshleman has joined the Family Medicine office.   He will be seeing patients at the CRMS practice on a part-time basis 2-3 days per week.   Dr. Eshleman spent over four decades at his family practice office in Norway, Maine.  Following retirement he was able to spend more time at his vacation camp in West Grand Lake.   However, after three weeks he decided full retirement was not for him and reached out to Calais Regional Hospital to offer his services.   

The Calais Lady Blue Devils hosted the eighth annual Pink Zone game against the Woodland Lady Dragons on Wednesday, January 22, sponsored by Calais Regional Hospital to raise awareness about breast cancer. For this one evening, fans were asked to drop their team colors and unite together by wearing pink to the game. As in years past, the Pink Zone had additional Supporters: PCT Communications and V.L. Tammaro Oil Co. Breast Cancer Awareness information and promotional items were available at the game. 

At a special dinner ceremony at the St. Croix Knights of Columbus Hall on Sunday night, Calais Celtic Concert Director Tom MacDonald presented a check for $1,000 to the officers of the council for their High School Scholarship Fund. Each year the Knights of Columbus give out high school scholarships to both Woodland and Calais High Schools. For the past few years the scholarships have been funded by the Calais Celtic Concert Series. Left to right: Grand Knight George McLaughlin accepting the check from Calais Celtic concerts Director Tom MacDonald. (Submitted photo)

By Jayna Smith

jayna@calais.news

Calais Parks and Recreation Director Craig Morrison made the annual presentation of the Michael McPherson Award last Saturday.  The award, Morrison told those in attendance, began in 2000 and recognizes a community member who is a vital volunteer at the Calais Recreation Department. 

This large group of young athletes has had the winter at WES to practice basketball skills under the direction of Gena Maloney and Woodland High School athletes. They performed at a Dragon basketball game this past week. (Photo by John Rogers)