December was a whirlwind for students at ERII as they prepared for their performances and felt the building excitement and anticipation of Santa coming to visit. They very much enjoyed searching daily for Elf Charlotte and Elf Kenneth throughout the halls and classrooms of the school and seeing what mischief they were into.

The Ranger basketball team played two hard-fought games against Medway and East Grand in December. They played very well and learned the ins-and-outs of the game while having fun.

Jayna Smith

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At a game at George Stevens Academy in Blue Hill on Tuesday, January 3, Coach Sean Cavanaugh’s Lady Blue Devils picked up another win this season, beating the Eagles 44-34.

Senior Nevaeh Thomas led Calais with 17 points, shooting two for three from the three-point line and four for five from the field, according to the coach.  

Ricky Cleghorn

Downeast Broadband Utility (DBU) is the first and only municipally-owned internet broadband utility in the State of Maine. It’s a one-of-the-kind network, and it is entirely owned by the residents of Calais, Baileyville, Alexander, Indian Township, and now Princeton. Essentially, DBU is a system of fiber-optic wires that different service providers can lease to offer consumers broadband coverage. 

Jayna Smith

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In 1986, the New York Mets claimed victory over the Boston Red Sox in the World Series, the word “walkman” entered the Oxford English Dictionary, Aerosmith and Run DMC mixed rock and hip hop with Walk this Way, and Navy recruitment increased by 500 percent as Tom Cruise starred in the movie Top Gun.  And, in Calais, Bobby O’Brien hit the streets of Calais as a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service.

Home heating fuel prices are at record highs this winter, and local Rotarians are concerned that many of the most vulnerable in Washington County, including the elderly and others on fixed incomes, may be left out in the cold.

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.