Sandra Smith

This past Saturday, the weather cleared by the start time of 11 a.m. for The Opportunity Alliance and Healthy Acadia Summer Program (G20) celebration at Brewer Andrews Field in Princeton. 

Games were set up, along with information booths by Calais Skatepark and Healthy Acadia, and food vendor Donna Netzer’s Slice of Heaven Bakery. 

Princeton Parks & Recreation’s booth displayed all the posters for their activities, as well as photos of their events. 

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

On August 17, 2023, the Calais City Council met for its regular meeting, with Mayor Artie Mingo presiding over Councilors Kevin Niles, Mike Sherrard, Marcia Rogers, Mark Carr, and Ellery Beale.  Councilor James MacDonald was absent from the meeting.

The YCC crew at Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge constructed a footbridge over the stream at Mullen Meadow today so wilderness trail hikers can keep their feet dry. You can see the bridge through under Keegan’s feet. The bridge was constructed of old used lumber that had been salvaged fromboardwalk at Meadows NWR. The bridge leads to the trailheads for Conic Trail and Headquarters Trail in the wilderness area. (Photo by Nikolai Lane)

Will Tuell

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife announced the winners of its annual antlerless-deer permit lottery on Aug. 15. Each winner has until Sept. 12 to claim and permit his or her permit. If permits are not claimed by that date, they are forfeited, IFW said on their website.

Winners for eastern and northern Washington County, listed by town, follow.

Alexander: Nathan Allen (WMD 27), Michael Brewer (WMD 25), David Goodine (WMD 21)

The 57th Annual Passamaquoddy Days was held Aug. 10-14, 2023, at Sipayik Indian Reservation, Split Rock, Perry.  Many activities took place, including the traditional native drumming, smudging, and more.  (Photo by Anura Gurugé) 

During the International Homecoming Festival and Chocolate Festival, several Calais youth enjoyed being introduced to tennis by participating in the IHF Kids’ Day at the Garcelon Civic Center and signing up for the Sweet Spot Tennis Challenge at the Milltown Memorial Tennis Courts. Shown is Joseph McGivery, of Calais.  (Submitted photo)

Karen Michaud took this beautiful eagle photo and we are glad she sent it in to us!

By Paul Sylvain

Chances are you won’t find a state trooper patrolling Washington County these days. The same is also true in at least six other rural Maine counties. As a result, county sheriff’s departments have had to step in to fill the void.

Washington County Commissioner Chris Gardner explained at the Aug. 10 county commissioners session that he’d just attended the Maine County Commissioners Association (MCCA) meeting at which the lack of rural patrols by Maine State Police took center stage.

Jon Reisman

Addison Brown, Junior Miss International; Klaire Olsson, Little Miss International Princess; and Aurora Olsson, Young Miss International had fun riding in the parade.  (Photo courtesy of Jessica Olsson)

Veterans of Foreign Wars representatives were outside the Calais Veterans Center during the street fair selling tickets on an oil giveaway, among other things.  The oil raffle was for 100 gallons donated by VL Tammaro Oil.  (Photo by Jayna Smith)

The Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers put on a packed-house show during this year’s International Homecoming Festival.  Back by popular demand after an impressive show last year, the puppet show was free for all to attend.  A big thanks goes to State Cinemas for proving popcorn for the attendees and to Wabanaki Culture Center for use of their multi-purpose room.  (Photo by Jayna Smith)

Many stepped up to help volunteer at this year’s Peanut Fair.  The fair is hosted each year by the Calais PTO, along with Calais Community Hospital.  Staff members from CCH, shown here, were also present for the Doll Hospital and Teddy Bear Clinic.  According to PTO member Tomi Ellsmore, big thanks also go to Calais Ace Homecenter, Calais IGA, Walmart, Tradewinds, Riverside Electric, and State Cinimas for donations made to the event.   (Calais PTO photo)

Jon Reisman

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

The Washington County Fair at the fairgrounds on Old County Road in Pembroke is promising to have something for everyone when it’s held on August 26 and 27.

Organizers say there will be over 25 vendors on site, offering a variety of wares, including handcrafted items, quilts, photographs, jewelry, and much more.  

Smithereen Farm in Pembroke is hosting artist and educator Rachel Alexandrou from Aug. 11-13 for a series of workshops on chokeberry and fireweed harvesting.  Alexandrou is an interdisciplinary artist who uses her education in plant science, and collaborative practice, to create experiential work about food, flora, and innovating human relationships to the natural landscape. She was educated at the University of Maine and holds a B.S. in Horticulture.

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

A Calais family is devastated after items went missing from their home during the packing and loading by a moving company on Sunday, July 23.

Raymond Brown, a biologist at the Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge, has accepted a new position in New Jersey with the National Wildlife Refuge.  The employer hired a moving company for Brown and his family.  

Jon Reisman

AI to save DEI?

Will Tuell

Eastport Health Center (EHC) opened the doors to its newly retrofitted office space at 106 Dublin Street in Machias last week. The facility, which hosts primary, behavioral, and pediatric care providers serving rural Washington County patients, went from two significantly smaller offices in the area to one 10,000 square-foot facility on Dublin Street, according to CEO Ellen Krajewski and Medical Director Dr. John Gaddis. 

A new sign is on display on the downtown stage.  Created and painted by Hannah Gadway, the sign welcomes all to Flat Iron Park.  (Photo by Jayna Smith)

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

In a recent meeting of the Calais Economic Development Committee held on July 19, 2023, business owners of The White Birch Exchange Michael Novack and Craig Bruce expressed their concerns over what they feel is a lack of code enforcement of downtown buildings and challenges they face in their own leased location at 345 Main Street, the former Urban Moose building.

Barbara's International School of Dance recently presented appreciation plaques to Johnson’s True Value and to Border Electric, both of which have always provided trucks for the students and adults to ride on in many parades.  Shown left are Jose and Barbara Lara with David Johnson from Johnson's True Value. Shown right are Jose and Barbara Lara with Sheridan Smith from Border Electric. (Submitted photos)