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.  

Sarah Craighead Dedmon

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office will hire one new deputy in 2023, not four, as requested by Sheriff Barry Curtis, following a vigorous debate and a 5 to 3 vote from the county budget advisory committee (BAC) on Monday, Nov. 21.

Jon Reisman

Elections have Consequences- Barack Obama

Three-year-old Asher got his first visit of the season with Santa on Saturday when he attended the Holiday Bazaar at Calais Middle/High School.  Asher kept a close watch on the bearded man, and instead of a traditional visit, opted only for a candy cane.  Learn more about the Holiday Bazaar and see more photos on page 14 of this week's The Calais Advertiser.  (Photo by Jayna Smith)

Jayna Smith
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It was a packed house last Thursday, November 17, 2022, for the annual meeting and awards banquet of St. Croix Valley Chamber of Commerce.  Held at Calais Motor Inn, tickets to the event, which also included dinner and a comedy act, were sold out earlier in the week, with 100 people in attendance.  

Jayna Smith
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It’s no secret that basketball is big in Downeast Maine, but what’s even bigger is the number of community members who step up to help when others are in need.

The varsity basketball teams at Woodland High School, along with the senior class, are doing just that with a pre-season game event next week.

According to boys’ Coach Ryan Lincoln, the boys’ and girls’ teams will each host Deer-Isle Stonington for some pre-season action this Wednesday, November 30.

Last Thursday evening, Calais High School held its annual National Honor Society (NHS) Induction Ceremony with six new members welcomed into the organization.  Those students inducted were Kaitlin Morrell, Bailey O'Rourke, Tia Murphy, Cadence Braughton, Noah Hart, and Keegan Trainor.  (CHS photo)

Jayna Smith
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American Legion Post #3 held its first-ever Chili Cook Off on Sunday, November 20 at the Veterans Center, 255 Main Street, Calais.

Organized by Commander Jim Myers, the cook off brought the best chilis from local chefs, just for fun, but more importantly, all in an effort to raise funds for veterans.

USW Local 27 members at Woodland Pulp are on the verge of a “strike vote,” according to a press release from a spokesperson at Maine AFL-CIO on Thursday, November 17. 

The workers are “demanding that the company present a contract offer that provides high enough wage increases to keep up with the cost of living.”  

Just a few of the kids that waved flags on Veterans Day thanking veterans for their service were Joseph Spencer, Blake Spencer, Stephen Seavey, Olga Brady, Ellah Seavey, and Carlos Oakes Jr. (Submitted photo)

Jayna Smith
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With home heating fuel prices having skyrocketed this season, many are feeling anxiety around how they will make it through the cold winter months.  Dead River Company in Calais wants to help.  

Manager Stacy Crosby came up with a unique way to assist local folks with heating their homes.  As a thank you to those in the greater Calais community, a drawing will provide ten people with $500 each to use for fuel for their tanks.

The Lubec Brewing Company in Lubec has created "Honey Beer for Hospice" for the last three years to benefit Down East Hospice Volunteers (DEHV), the only volunteer hospice program in Washington County. The honey is provided by Mark and Arlene Wren, of Robbinston, from their hard-working busy bees. The brew is created by Gale White and McGinley Jones, owners of the brewery.

Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Responding to an increase in violent crime and a reduction in local state police coverage, Washington County Sheriff Barry Curtis has asked the county to fund the hiring of four additional patrol deputies, a budget increase of almost $700,000, including equipment and cars.

Jon Reisman