The Brendan Leddy Memorial Fund (BLMF), powered by the Calais Skatepark Committee, met 10 youth skateboarders at 7 a.m. this past Saturday for a road trip to the Bath Indoor Skatepark.

The BLMF made sure these riders were geared up with helmets, knee pads, skateboards, and of course snacks and drinks, for the 400+ mile van ride to Bath, Maine.  

Jayna Smith

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The Woodland High School baseball team is back with a big roster again this year.  First-year Dragon baseball coach Ryan Lincoln said 18 make up his roster this year and he believes he has plenty of firepower for the mound.

The Irene Chadbourne Ecumenical Food Pantry was recently gifted a full box of non-perishables that were collected at Downeast Credit Union.  Those at the pantry express their appreciation and remind folks that donations from community members are an important part of keeping the pantry doors open and people food secure in the greater-Calais area.

Jayna Smith

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Last week, many reacted very favorably to a post to the Facebook page of State Cinemas when long-time manager Sue Carter announced she had taken over operation of the movie theater.

Jayna Smith

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Last week, the Food and Drug Administration approved the sale of Narcan–a brand-name of naloxone–without the need for a prescription.  Advocates say the improved access to the life-saving drug combats the overdose crisis, which includes more than 100,000 deaths each year in the U.S.

The youngsters were excited and ready to hunt their eggs on Saturday, April 1, when Princeton Parks & Recreation with the Princeton Fire Department held an Easter Egg Hunt event. (Submitted photo)

Jayna Smith

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Calais High School’s JMG School to Work class held a new fundraiser this year, a “Festival of Spring.”  The event took place at the school on both Saturday, April 1 and Sunday, April 2.

Natalie Boomer

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“We are excited to partner with the Good Shepard Food Bank of Auburn to open a food pantry at Woodland Jr./Sr. High School for our students and their families,” mentioned new food pantry coordinator Heidi Hicks.

Hicks was thrilled to receive their first delivery on Monday, April 3rd, containing dry goods and pantry-sized items. 

Jon Reisman

On August 14, 1935, President Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act, setting up a system of payroll taxes supporting retirees. The retirement age of 65 exceeded average life expectancy at the time by about a year. August 14th, 1935 was also my father’s 8th birthday, and in 10 years would be V - J Day, marking Japan’s surrender and the end of WWII.

Natalie Boomer

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C&E Feeds was opened by Clyde and Ethel Eldridge in 1982. Their daughter Heather Henry Tenan and son-in-law Glen Tenan bought the store in 2018 and have been keeping the family traditions alive and friendly business going ever since.

This well-known mom and pop shop has changed direction to allow the Tenans to adapt to online shopping, big box store neighbors, and pandemic recovery needs.

Will Tuell

Senator Marianne Moore (R-Calais) presented a bill before the Legislature’s Energy, Utilities, and Technology Committee on behalf of the Town of Baileyville that would give the town’s utilities district the authority to disconnect town water for failure to pay local sewer fees during a March 21 public hearing. Moore, who did not testify to the merits of the bill, explained that she had been approached by town officials who were struggling to recoup debt incurred by the town’s sewer district. 

Local youth wrestlers took part in another weekend meet, this time at Mount View High School in Thorndike.

Kids from Downeast Wrestling Club did well once again, with the following placements:  Ethan Clark, third; Colton McGouldrick, fourth; Baylee Benson, first; Juniper Davis, fourth; Vercin Davis, third; Bradley Walton, second; Parker Walton, fourth.

DWC invites all to its meet this Sunday, April 2, at Calais High School beginning after the 8:30 a.m. weigh-ins.  Admission is $4 for adults, $2 for students, and concessions will be sold all day.

Jayna Smith

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A crash on Route 9 in Amherst on Friday, March 24, resulted in road closure most of the day, with traffic forced to detour.

Just before 7:30 a.m., a tractor trailer truck carrying a load of new vehicles went off the road, over an embankment, and caught fire, according to the Aurora Volunteer Fire Department.  

The department also confirmed the crash was caused by icy road conditions.

On Saturday, March 18th, the Spednic Club in Baileyville held its annual Alzheimer’s Bowling Tournament.  Magnolia Assisted Living was the corporate sponsor with a generous $1000 donation to go to the Alzheimer’s Association.  Pictured above are the winning team members Michelle Sabattus, Opal Seeley, Jackie Martin, Craig Seeley, and Cierra Seeley, all of whom donated their winnings to the Alzheimer’s Association. The Spednic Club thanks all who participated in the worthy event.  (Spednic Club photo)

Based on the behavior of the eagle pair, biologist Maurry Mills estimates that they have been taking turns sitting on eggs in the nest by Route 1 since March 16 or 17. If all goes well, the eggs in the nest should hatch around April 18-20, though we don't want to count our eagles before they hatch! According to biologist Ray Brown, there should be plenty of alewives in the nearby St. Croix River and Magurrewock Marsh to feed the eaglets from late April through early June.  (Photo by Ray Brown, USFWS) 

On Thursday, March 16th, Senator Moore (R-Washington) was pleased to welcome Brooke Corbett of Robbinston to the State House.  Brooke served as an Honorary Page during the Senate Session. (Submitted photo)

Jayna Smith

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Drunk driving and speed are believed to have been the cause of a crash that occurred on South Street on March 15.

According to Calais Police Department, at around 9 p.m. last Wednesday, Officer McCann responded to a report of a “serious accident” on South Street, in the area of Lincoln Street.  

Upon arrival, the officer found a pickup truck “well off the roadway, severely damaged.”  

Phil Stuart

Jace Cook, of the Northern Maine Class C champion Calais Blue Devils, won the William Warner Award as the Northern Maine tourney’s most valuable player. 

Cook is the 10th Washington County player to win the award and the seventh player from Calais to do so.  

Joining Cook on the all-tourney team this year are teammates Jacob Sockabasin and Evan Gillespie, along with Ethan Daigle, of Fort Kent, and Will Kusnierz, of Dexter. Ethan Monk of Woodland, Lance Gagnon and Micah Daigle, of Fort Kent, were honorable mentions.

Jon Reisman

Jayna Smith

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Many have seen the bookrack in the vestibule of Tradewinds Shop ‘n Save.  What some may not realize is that that bookrack generates over $3,000 annually for the Calais Lions Club.  

According to Lion Ben Knowles, the money allows the club to present $1,000 scholarships to three graduating seniors at Calais and Woodland High Schools each year.  Even more, the club hopes to expand its scholarship offering to include Shead High School.