Jayna Smith

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On Tuesday, December 27, Calais Lady Blue Devil sophomore Kate McPhee had a game high 24 points, along with 15 rebounds, to lead her team to victory, 71-61, at a game hosted by the Woodland Dragons.  

Senior Neveah Thomas contributed 20 points, with six shots made from behind the three-point line.  

Also in the points column was sophomore Kayleigh Scott with 13 and senior Mercedes Owen with 11.  Junior Brenna Critchley added three.

Will Tuell

Newly-elected District Attorney Bob Granger and three-term Sheriff Barry Curtis were formally sworn in before an audience of county employees, legislators, and members of the public on New Year’s Day. The pair were sworn in by longtime county jail administrator Paula Johnson-Rolfe, who also serves as a notary public.

The fans sitting in the Zoo Crew section were loud and proud at the Calais-Woodland game last week.  (Photo by Jayna Smith)

Honoring the nation’s flag is 5-year-old Mihku Sabattus, who did not hesitate to rise and place his hand on his heart when “The Star Spangled Banner” played at a recent basketball game in Woodland.  His great display of patriotism and respect came without any prompting.  Young Mihku was in attendance to cheer on his cousin Reece.  (Submitted photo)

Jayna Smith

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The Calais girls’ basketball team hosted the defending Class D State Champion team Southern Aroostook last week, Thursday, December 22.

The Warriors, coached by Cliff Urquart, have appeared in the last four state championship games, claiming the gold ball at three of them.

Coach Sean Cavanaugh said, “Southern Aroostook showed they are still a force and gave Calais their second loss.”  The final score of the game was 73-23.

Jon Reisman

With apologies to Clement Clarke Moore and any non-cynics left

'Twas the week before Christmas, and all through the House

The lame ducks were plotting, preparing to pounce;

The earmarks were hung on the omnibus with care,

In hopes that Pelosi and Shumer would share;

Angus and Susan nestled snug on the Floor,

With visions of earmarks hung on the door;

And Chellie in her Pingree, and Jared in his flannel,

Had just settled down for a lobster regs panel.

Jayna Smith

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Woodland High School baseball coach Kenny Murphy passed away unexpectedly on December 12, 2022, and on Saturday, December 17, 2022, a Celebration of his Life was held at Calais High School.

On one side of the gymnasium at the front was a sight that could not be missed:  a sea of black, purple, and gold caps and jerseys, all donned by members of Murphy’s baseball team.  

Four Criminal Justice students from Washington County Community College were chosen to attend the 28th Annual NEDIAI, or the New England Division of the International Association of Identification. 

Taylor LeBlanc, Rose Adams, Mackenzie Hewitt, and Connor Cook were chosen by Criminal Justice and Conservation Law Instructor Wayde Carter and Jason Fowler of the Maine State Police and adjunct professor at WCCC. The two came together to choose these four students based on their academic performance and professionalism.

For the fifth straight year, Knights of Columbus has placed a nativity Manger in the downtown area of Calais to remind everyone of the true meaning of Christmas. Pictured are (left to right) Knights Aaron Morris, Tom MacDonald, Michael Boies, Father Brad Morin, Marc Podschlne, Pierre Little, Ed Stover, and Gary Madore. (Photo by Wendy Little)

At the City Council meeting on Wednesday, December 16, 2022, Airport Committee members Ron DeFilippo and Colleen Dana-Cummings presented a proposal to the City Council titled “An Opportunity For All of Eastport.”

Jon Reisman

My maternal Grandfather was born in 1898 in Brooklyn, New York and named Abraham Lincoln Plaut by his German –Jewish immigrant parents. His father was a kosher butcher and he became an entrepreneur, author, English teacher and baseball coach. He idolized Woodrow Wilson, but nobody is perfect. He taught me pinochle, bridge, baseball and how to read a financial statement. His best gift was Yiddish, which linked me to my ethnic immigrant past and gave me a rich lexicon of expressions still serving me all these years later.

Jayna Smith

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The Village of Woodland was bustling last Friday night, December 9, as Santa made his way through as part of the town’s annual Christmas parade.

According to Jamie Bohanon, one of the organizers of the event, parade entrants did not disappoint with their festive displays of brightly-colored lights and holiday decor.  

Bonnie Lyons

There will be no church services on Sunday, December 18th or the 25th. We will have services on January 1, 2023, with Pastors Ron and Colin Windhorst.  Ann Carter makes singing easier with her piano playing.

Mary Crossman does a great job with the children. Last week they decorated the tree and church and had help from their dog Spur. 

We sent a thank you to Johnson's Tree Farm for their donation of the tree. 

Calais Celtic Concerts is pleased to present the internationally-acclaimed, award-winning, musical sister-duo of Cassie and Maggie MacDonald, who are no strangers to Celtic Christmas, Holiday Magic! 

Part of a multigenerational musical dynasty, Christmas was always a time to gather near and sing boisterously, as in days of old. The doors were always open to company, and the New Year was just around the corner.

Jon Reisman

Several stories came across my laptop as 2022 wanes. They were not much mentioned by the legacy media, or they were spun as overwrought conservative conspiracy theories. 

• Governor Mills seeks to regulate and muzzle the less than obedient press. 

Jayna Smith

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On Saturday morning, Santa made his annual visit to the Calais Fire Department.

There, with some help from Calais Fire Association members, kids had the chance to not only meet with Santa, but also explore the fire trucks.

Even more, each child got to decorate cookies to take home and each received a present from Santa.  

Last month, the day before Veterans Day, Topsfield’s East Range II students held a Veterans Day Luncheon to honor our local veterans from all branches of the military. We had a wonderful turnout and students sang songs, passed out homemade thank you cards, and helped serve lunch to our veterans. We appreciate all veterans and are grateful for your service!

Jayna Smith

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The village of Woodland will be bustling on the evening of Friday, Dec. 9th with kids–and kids at heart–awaiting Santa’s early arrival as he makes his way in the town’s annual Christmas parade. 

Organizers of Eastport Arts Center's 13th Annual Festival of Trees are thrilled to have received the names and themes of this year's trees, as follows. In addition to the ‘main event’ of lovingly decorated tabletop trees available by silent bid, the event will feature a ticket raffle of gift-worthy items donated by local individuals and groups, live music, and take-out snacks. The event will be held from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., Saturday, December 10, and is a key fundraiser for the Center’s year-round programming for all ages. 

Jayna Smith
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“David always said that as a chaplain he needed to be a comedian, as laughter has great healing power,” Chaplain Major David Sivret’s family shared.  “He also was known to say that Jesus was a carpenter and fed the people both physically and spiritually and he worked hard to follow the example of Christ.”

Jayna Smith
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In true Calais-community fashion, some locals have come together to add some holiday spirit for all to enjoy.  

Johnny Chambers and Lorraine Mitchell both took to Facebook recently asking if anyone might have an artificial Christmas tree to donate.  Any trees received would be used to light up the Main Street Memorial Park bandstand.  

Jayna Smith
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The Woodland girls’ varsity basketball team, led by second-year coach Mark Hornbrook, has 13 players on its roster this year.

Having lost just one player last season to graduation, Hornbrook said he is anticipating a more successful run this year with five seniors on the team and four returning starters.