1. American Idol Star Julia Gagnon to Headline Free Concert at Flat Iron Park in Calais

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    Julia Gagnon, the American Idol sensation known for her powerful vocals and magnetic stage presence, will bring her talent to Flat Iron Park in downtown Calais on Thursday, August 22.  Gagnon’s one-hour performance promises an array of familiar tunes, delivering a concert experience that’s both impressive and unforgettable.

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  2. What's Up, Calais

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

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  3. Bid on Exclusive Memorabilia Throughout August at The Blue Devil Fund’s Silent Auction

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    St. Croix Country Club was host to its largest scramble last Friday, August 2, with the sixth annual Divots & Dunks Charity Golf Scramble.  According to organizer Chris Taylor, founder of The Blue Devil Fund, 43 teams competed.  

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  4. Local Businesses Bring Life to Empty Storefronts

     

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  5. King Construction Wins Two-year, $450K Restoration Contract for West Quoddy Head Lighthouse

     

    Paul Sylvain

    Add historic renovations to Northfield resident and Machias developer Justin King’s growing resumé. King announced on Aug. 2 that he received a notice of intent to award King Construction a $450,000 contract for repair and renovations of the iconic red and white candy-striped tower and map room at West Quoddy Head Lighthouse. 

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  6. Washington County Fair Returns with Fun for All Ages

     

    The much-anticipated Washington County Fair is set to return on August 24th and 25th, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Pembroke Fairgrounds on Old County Road. With an admission fee of just $8 per day and free entry for children 10 and under, the fair promises two days of fun-filled activities for the whole family.

    Young visitors can look forward to a variety of activities, including face painting, a bounce house, train rides, kids’ games, and a watermelon eating contest. These attractions are sure to keep the little ones entertained throughout the day.

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  7. Lubec Community Playground Workday and Celebration

     

    Margaret Casey and Jennifer Bristol gathered with children from the LCOC Summer Recreation Program to raise the banner for the Lubec Playground Workday and Celebration to take place on September 29. Read more in our September 12 issue. (Submitted photo)

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  8. Eastport Mermaid Festival

     

    The Eastport Mermaid Festival took place last weekend. Eastport Elementary School Cheer squad leads the “Under the Sea” group dance in the Eastport Amphitheater. (Photo credit: Georgie Kendall, Perry)

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  9. Robbinston Days Celebration

     

    Robbinston Days was celebrated on August 3 at the Robbinston Community Center on Route 1. The Touch-A-Truck kicked off the fun-filled day, with music and food following. Skye’s Hope, Ken and Jane Brooks, and Pink Capos performed. There was free food, a bounce house, cornhole, kids’ games, history exhibits, and a bake sale. (Robbinston Historical Society photo)

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  10. Downeast Institute Gets Grant for Housing, $4M Capital Campaign in the Planning Stages

     

    Nancy Beal

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  11. Freedom Studies - Power, Politics, and Purpose

     

    Jon Reisman

    August arrived Down East with fog, unusually high temperatures, and thunderstorms in terms of both weather and politics. 

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  12. Chamber Celebrates St. Croix Tap & Table’s Anniversary and Rebranding

     

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  13. Passamaquoddy Motahkomikuk Community Days Bring Celebration of Culture this Weekend

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    The Passamaquoddy Motahkomikuk Community Days are set to be a vibrant and engaging celebration of culture, sports, and community spirit from this Friday, August 2, through Sunday, August 4, at Sockabasin Field in Peter Dana Point, Indian Township.

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  14. What's Up, Calais?

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

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  15. USPS Recognizes Mark McKinnon Upon his Retirement after 23 Years

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    Mark McKinnon, an employee of the United States Postal Service for over 23 years, officially retired on July 31, 2024.

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  16. 2024 International Homecoming Festival Schedule of Events

    WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7

    10am-5pm CDN - Woven in Time Quilt Show. Come enjoy the displays and hear about the personal power of making, living with, and gifting quilts for charity from the Anglican Parish of St. Stephen hand quilters and the St. Croix Cotton Mill Quilters.  Free admission, vendors onsite. 20 Church St., St. Stephen. Vendors 10am-3pm only. 

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  17. Street Fair Promises to Draw Hundreds to Downtown

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    The Street Fair, always a favorite of the International Homecoming Festival, promises to be a highlight once again this year.  Sponsored and organized annually by the St. Croix Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Street Fair offers something for everyone, drawing hundreds of locals and visitors alike.

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  18. International Festival Parade Set to Start on U.S. Side

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    Get ready to celebrate at this year’s International Homecoming Festival parade, kicking off at noon on Saturday, August 10.  The parade starts at noon from the Dead River lot on lower Barker Street.

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  19. Lions Club Auction and Lioness Super Draw Make a Grand Return

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    Despite no longer being formally affiliated, the Calais Lions Club and the Calais Lioness Club share a mutual mission: to aid local residents in need.  Each club supports the other's efforts and participates in various fundraising events throughout the year.

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  20. Cross-Border Unity Celebrated at Annual Festival Opening

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    In the days leading up to the International Homecoming Festival, an American and a Canadian flag will be displayed on Ferry Point Bridge, perfectly timed for the Opening Ceremony on Wednesday, August 7.

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  21. Expansion Plans Move Forward for the Lincoln Library in Dennysville

     

    Plans to expand the capacity of the Lincoln Memorial Public Library in Dennysville are moving forward, thanks to Senator Susan Collins’ timely submission of the trustees’ funding request to the Senate Appropriations Committee in Congress this summer.

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  22. Locals Learn of Machias Bay’s Role in War of 1812

     

    Will Tuell

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  23. Calais Veterans Center Craft Camp

     

    Children ages 5 to 14 have gathered at the Calais Veterans Center for Craft Camp over the last couple of weeks. Craft Camp encourages and provides an opportunity for children to explore their creativity, imagination, and self-expression. It is also a safe environment for children to discover that it is okay to make mistakes because getting things “wrong” could actually give you a whole new idea. 

    During this camp, the children have created garden stepping stones, repurposed recyclable materials, created t-shirts with food coloring, made wildlife suncatchers, and more. 

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  24. Business After Hours Event Highlights Chamber Initiatives and Economic Development

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    On Thursday, July 25, St. Croix Tap & Table, formerly Riverview Restaurant, on Main Street in Calais, buzzed with activity as the St. Croix Valley Chamber of Commerce revived its Business After Hours event.  DeeDee Travis, the chamber's chairperson, warmly welcomed business owners, local citizens, and other attendees, highlighting the chamber’s recent achievements and ongoing initiatives.

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  25. Freedom Studies - Democracy and Hypocrisy

     

    Jon Reisman

    President Biden’s selfless and noble passing of the torch to Kamala (or Obama/Pelosi orchestrated coup, depending on which tribe you belong to) left me marveling at our polarized and post-modern understanding of “Democracy.” “Democracy” is a system of government where the people rule, either directly (like Town Meeting) or through elected representatives (a Republic). Democracy is rule of the many, as opposed to rule of the few (oligarchy) or the one (tyranny). 

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  26. Vibrant Flowers Beautify Downtown

     

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  27. New CDC Rules to Bring Dogs into U.S.

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    Starting August 1, 2024, new regulations will be implemented for dogs entering or returning to the United States.  These rules depend on where the dog has been in the past six months and where it received its rabies vaccination, if required, to prevent the entry of rabies-infected canines into the U.S.

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  28. Business After Hours Event Hosted by St. Croix Valley Chamber of Commerce

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    This Thursday, July 25, St. Croix Valley Chamber of Commerce will hold a Business After Hours event, welcoming not only chamber members but also those interested in learning more about the chamber and wishing to hear from the evening’s keynote speaker, Denise Barker, Director of Economic Development for Calais and Baileyville.

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  29. Grand Lake Stream Folk Art Festival Happening this Weekend

     

    The Washington County village of Grand Lake Stream may be just off the beaten path, but it will be well worth the drive to this magical setting as the ballfield comes alive on Saturday and Sunday, July 27 and 28, for the 28th Annual Grand Lake Stream Folk Art Festival.  Local organizers have once again put together a full schedule of activities for young and old, with music, folk art, food, and fun.  The festival runs each day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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  30. Coastal Subs Makes Waves in Pembroke

     

    Will Tuell

    Whether it’s general manager Kaci Leighton’s friendly smile, her crew’s care and attention to detail, or the delicious variety of freshly made subs, sandwiches, and baked goods, Coastal Subs in Pembroke has quickly “made waves” as Downeasters say, in the nine months the Mom-and-Pop sub shop has been serving travelers up and down Route 1. 

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  31. What's Up, Calais?

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

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  32. Robbinston Days to Bring a Celebration of Community and History

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    For the fourth consecutive year, the Town of Robbinston is excited to host its hometown celebration, Robbinston Days, on Saturday, August 3. All events will take place at the Robbinston Community Center (formerly the grade school).

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  33. Princeton Parks and Recreation’s Second Community Yard and Craft Sale

     

    Sandra Smith

    Saturday was the second Princeton Parks and Recreation’s Community Yard and Craft Sale. The weather was unbelievably perfect, and the wonderful community support was truly appreciated. In addition to the ten vendors, the Princeton Fire Department Association was there with their Weenie Wagon for breakfast and lunch. Also, Lakeside Lemonade was back. 

    A new format included six vendors who participated in the event but sold items from their homes. They were advertised and their location was featured on a special map. 

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  34. To Eastport and Beyond Crew!

     

    From the Alexander news column by Cassie Oakes:

    What did you do during the local July 4th celebration? The grandchildren of Sherry Sivret and the late Father David Sivret participated in the 4th of July stroller parade and earned third place.  To Eastport and Beyond was their sign as they dressed in Toy Story costumes.

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  35. Bangor Savings Bank Grant to The Joy Fund

     

    The Bangor Savings Bank Foundation has awarded The Joy Fund, a barrier removal program administered by the Community Caring Collaborative (CCC), $5,500 to support more first-time home buyers scheduling home inspections of their prospective dream home in Washington County.  

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  36. Hunters Face Aug. 1 Deadline to Apply for ‘Any Deer’ Permit

     

    Will Tuell

    Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IFW) is reminding hunters that they have until 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 1 to enter the drawing for an antlerless deer permit. Hunters who are drawn in IFW’s Aug. 15 lottery will have a chance to harvest an antlerless deer in the designated wildlife management district plus a buck statewide. Any remaining permits will be available for purchase on IFW’s website later this year. 

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  37. DSF’s Dennys River Sportsman’s Club Pavilion Grand Opening

     

    The Downeast Salmon Federation (DSF) has announced the grand opening of the Dennys River Sportsman’s Club Pavilion on Thursday, August 8. This event marks a new chapter for the historic clubhouse, now transformed into an open-air pavilion and open to the public.

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  38. Freedom Studies - Demography, Destiny, and Dumbasses

     

    Jon Reisman

    One of my favorite courses was demography, the study of human populations. Demographers draw on statistics and a broad swath of both the natural and social sciences, including economics, sociology, geography, political science, biology, psychology, and medicine. Demography starts with a deceptively simple mathematical identity: Change in Population= Births - Deaths + Net Migration. Therein lie some of the most sensitive and freedom consequential policy areas: fertility, mortality, and immigration/emigration.

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  39. Waiting for Grandpa to Come Back Home

    The story of one Israeli hostage and  his 3-year-old granddaughter

    Anav Silverman Peretz

    A few weeks ago, I was sitting with my family at McDonald's, on the way back home to our home in the Negev desert after a visit with our in-laws in Raanana. Our kids were munching on French fries, while my husband went to get our order. I watched Israelis, young and old, sitting together in the American fast food chain, quite popular in Israel. 

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  40. The Miraculous Survival of President Trump in Pennsylvania

    Editorial, By Pierre Little, Publisher

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  41. New Ferry Service Reconnects New Brunswick and Maine

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    A new foot passenger ferry service between Campobello Island, New Brunswick, and Eastport, Maine, is set to revive a historic transportation link across the Passamaquoddy Bay’s international boundary.  The Eastport Windjammers boating company, in collaboration with the Friar’s Bay Development Association, launched the service last week following a successful trial run last summer.

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  42. Chamber of Commerce Welcomes Opening of Got Dirt Car Wash

     

    Members of St. Croix Valley Chamber of Commerce gathered on Tuesday at Got Dirt Car Wash and Dog Wash, 284 North Street in Calais, for a ribbon-cutting welcoming ceremony.  Owner Tommy Chambers opened the car wash at the end of February, with its dog wash opening soon after.  Pictured are Taylor McIver, of Woodland Pulp; Stan Sluzenski, of St. Croix Regional Technical Center; Jake Chambers; Tommy Chambers; DeeDee Travis, of Calais Community Hospital; and Kaileigh Deacon, of Downeast Credit Union.  (Photo by Jayna Smith) 

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  43. County to Hire Two FT Dispatchers at RCC Using Opioid Crisis Funds

     

    Paul Sylvain

    Washington County Commissioners on July 11 gave the green light to Regional Communication Center Director Josh Rolfe to begin the process of hiring two new full-time dispatchers at the RCC.

    The decision follows a June 18 emergency meeting between Commissioners Chris Gardner, Vinton Cassidy, the RCC, and the county budget committee to discuss the need to immediately add the new dispatchers.

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  44. Children’s Summer Program at Lincoln Library

     

    A summer reading program for children is being held at the Lincoln Memorial Public Library in Dennysville on Thursday afternoons, from July 11 through August 8, from 1 to 2:30 p.m.  Led by talented local artist and book illustrator Rebekah Guiltner, each session will feature enriching stories, educational activities, reading aloud, snacks, games, and crafts.

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  45. Donate Blood through the Red Cross at Upcoming Drive

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    The American Red Cross is hosting a blood drive at the Calais Knights of Columbus, located at 2 Park Street in Calais, on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, from 12 to 5 p.m.

    The need for blood is constant, and only volunteer donors can meet this crucial need for patients in the community. Nationwide, someone requires a unit of blood every 2 to 3 seconds, and most will need blood in our lifetimes. 

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