1. Calling all Witches, Warlocks, and Wizards!

    The Witches of Eastport, presented by Eastport ArtFests and Eastport Parks & Recreation, returns Saturday, October 26, with a dazzling array of experiences for all ages. From noon to 3 p.m., art and other activities, most of them offer for free, will be offered along Water Street, with Wizard Wand making at Bingville, Tarot Readings at Downeast Creations, and a Ghostly Chalk-Walk with Sweeties Downeast.

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  2. Freedom Studies - Climate Contrarian

    Jon Reisman

    Maine’s draft climate action plan update is posted at Maine-Wont-Wait-Draft-10.15.24.pdf. 

    It doubles down on expensive and unreliable energy (solar and wind), electric vehicles, youth indoctrination (Climate Corps anyone?), damaging rural Maine, moral preening, and refusing to tell the people of Maine how much global warming will be averted (none) and at what cost (bend over).

    I will be having at least three bills submitted in response, led by An Act to Promote Sound Science and Transparency in Climate Change Policy. 

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  3. The Area Gets Ready for Halloween with Events All Around

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  4. Classic Hits Turkey-a-Thon Raises Over $40K for Holiday Meals

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    The Classic Hits Turkey-a-Thon, held last Friday, Oct. 11, was a resounding success, raising $40,458 by the end of the day. With donations continuing to roll in over the weekend, this year's event set a new fundraising record in the program’s 20-year history, equating to 3,371 turkeys.

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  5. Spooky Fun to Return with Library’s Halloween Parade

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    Get ready for a spooktacular time! On Thursday, Oct. 31, starting at 3:30 p.m., librarian Joyce Garland and her spirited staff from Calais Free Library will resurrect a beloved community tradition—the annual Halloween Parade!

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  6. Walmart’s Parade Entry Earns First Place

    Calais Walmart’s entry earned first place in this year’s Baileyville’s Octoberfest’s parade held last Saturday.  Downeast Credit Union earned second place, while Southard Construction earned third. (Walmart photo)

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  7. Maine Hunters Can Help Combat Food Insecurity

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    Maine's Hunters for the Hungry Program is expanding its efforts to fill a crucial protein gap in the state’s food pantries, a need that has only grown with rising grocery prices and increased demand.

    Established by the Maine Legislature in 1996, the program provides bear, moose, and deer meat to food pantries and soup kitchens across the state. Fish are not part of the initiative. 

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  8. Veterans - Honoring All Who Served

    In appreciation of those who have served our country, 

    The Calais Advertiser will be featuring local 

    veterans in our November 7th issue.

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  9. Downeast Ghost Story Next for EAC’s Sunday Talks

    It’s the month for a good ghost story, and a Maine author has the perfect tale: an account of North America’s first documented ghost, a specter that appeared in 1799 in Downeast Maine.

    Michelle Shores’ book, The Gathering Room, concerns the haunting of the coastal town of Sullivan by Nelly Butler, the young wife of Capt. George Butler. She had died in childbirth three years before but returned in ghostly garb to urge her husband to marry another woman.

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  10. Calais City Council

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    On Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, the Calais City Council met for its regular meeting, with Mayor Artie Mingo presiding over Councilors Kevin Niles, Mike Sherrard, Marcia Rogers, Elery Beale, Bill Quinn, and James Macdonald. 

    What follows is a brief summary of the meeting, with the full meeting available for viewing on the City of Calais’s Facebook page.

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  11. Reisman Gains Commissioners’ Support for Bill Limiting Public Land Grab in Washington County

    Paul Sylvain

    Noted economist, policy analyst, and retired University of Maine at Machias professor Jonathan Reisman met with Washington County Commissioners John Crowley and Vinton Cassidy last week to seek their support for a bill to limit the amount of public land being taken in Washington County.

    “As I think you know,” began Reisman, “the state developed a climate action plan four years ago. Governor Mills campaigned to do so, and she did.”

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  12. Freedom Studies - An Act to Define and Assess Equity

    Jon Reisman

    I am going to have some version of the following submitted next session:

    When a state agency advances “equity” in any policy area, “equity” must be defined and a metric must be developed and used to assess and evaluate the “equity” policy. 

    This would apply to public K-12 and higher education as well.

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  13. Community Comes Together for Harvest Festival

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    This year’s Harvest Festival, an eagerly-anticipated event filled with activities for all ages, may have seen most of its events postponed to Sunday from Saturday due to rain, but that didn’t stop the fun. 

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  14. Calais High School Embraces Orange Shirt Day

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

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  15. Washington County’s Department Heads Give Their Best Sales Pitches at Budget Committee Meeting

    Paul Sylvain

    In something of an annual rite of passage each fall, Washington County’s department heads and representatives met with the county’s budget advisory committee on Oct. 3, to present their arguments for a proposed budget that is up even more than first thought.

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  16. Don’t Miss the Fun at Baileyville’s Octoberfest

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    Baileyville’s Octoberfest is set to return next week with a variety of events, and as always, it will offer something for everyone.

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  17. GOP Tour Highlights Inflation, Business, and Values

    Washington County Republican Committee led a county-wide meet and greet tour last month to bring candidates to residents in Calais, Machias, Columbia Falls, and Beals. United by their goals to fight inflation, empower our small businesses, and preserve our values, these common-sense candidates were well received by crowds at each stop along the tour. Pictured are (back) Mathew McIntyre, HD 18; David Burns, County Commissioner, District 2; Rep. Billy Bob Faulkingham, HD 12; (front) Rep. Austin Theriault, U.S. Congress, CD2; Will Tuell, HD 10; Sen.

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  18. What's Up, Calais?

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    A big thanks to all who helped make CDRC’s Harvest Festival a fun one!  Many groups took on events to host, including Calais High School’s JMG, Elijah Anderson and the Maine Army National Guard, Jaida Jamieson and Downeast Recovery Support Center, Calais Community Hospital, the Brendan Leddy Memorial Fund, Smith’s Towing & Recovery, Demo Salvage, and Cindy Wartman and Heather Bowles.

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  19. Knights of Columbus New Officers

    Newly installed officers of the Knights of Columbus, Council # 149, in Calais are (front) Julian Joerges, financial sec.; George “Butch” McLaughlin, trustee; Michael Boies, Grand Knight; Claude Laundry, Outside Guard; Dayton Dineen, Chancellor; (back) Weston Ranaldi, treasurer; Ed Stover, Advocate and District Deputy; Gary Madore, District Warden; Rejean Roussel, Warden; and Fr. Jude, standing in for Fr. Roland, Chaplain.  Installation was held on Sunday evening, Sept. 22, at the Immaculate Conception Church in Calais. (Photo courtesy of Michael Boies)

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  20. Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Celebrates Two Retirements

    Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Parish recently celebrated the retirement of Cheryl Amber and Kathy Lawrence.  “Cheryl and Kathy have dedicated so many years of service to our parish, and they will be sorely missed. We are incredibly grateful for the love, care, and commitment they’ve shown our community. As they embark on this new chapter, let us keep them in our prayers and wish them every blessing in the years to come,” the church's Facebook page noted. (Photo by Pierre Little)

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  21. Down East Hospice Graduates

    Down East Hospice Volunteers of Washington County graduated seven new hospice volunteers after participating in a 25-hour training. They are Ellen Carle, of Big Lake Township; Ernest Carle, of Big Lake Township; Thelma Stevens, of Calais; Mary Kate O’Neill, of Lubec; Vicki Verge, of Pembroke; Arielle Richardson, of Eastport; and Linda Evans, of Grand Lake Stream; shown with Barbara Barnett, Executive Director of DEHV.  For information about DEHV’s free services and to become a hospice volunteer, call 454-7521 ext.

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  22. Freedom Studies - A Picture Worth 3 Million Acres

    Jon Reisman

    In the 1990s, Maine adopted a 10% public lands goal (about 2 million acres) and began generously funding the Land for Maine Future’s program to achieve it. The effort was led by Governor Angus King and Senate Majority Leader (and future Congresswoman) Chellie Pingree, who sponsored a $50 million land bond. Twenty-five years ago, that was real money.

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  23. Harvest Festival Set to Bring Fall Fun to Calais this Saturday

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    This Saturday, October 5, Calais Downtown Revitalization Coalition (CDRC) will host its annual Harvest Festival, offering a full day of activities for all ages.  The event kicks off at 9 a.m. with the Scarecrow Shuffle, a one-mile fun run along the riverfront for kids up to grade eight.

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  24. Princeton Playground Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

    Following the completion of the Princeton Community Playground build, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held last Monday, September 23, at Princeton’s Brewer Andrews Field. This was an enthusiastic celebration of four years of volunteer efforts to provide a playground for the younger children of Princeton.  

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  25. Area Faces Shipping Setbacks as UPS Drops Next-Day Delivery Service

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    Calais residents and businesses are facing new shipping challenges as UPS has discontinued its next-day delivery service to the region.  According to Calais City Councilor Elery Beale, this change is already causing significant disruptions, especially for those relying on time-sensitive shipments like medication and critical business supplies.

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  26. Rumors of Asylum Seekers Being Sent to Calais Spark Clarification from City Officials

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    A recent social media post generated widespread discussion in Calais and surrounding towns, following claims that Governor Janet Mills contacted Calais Mayor Artie Mingo regarding the relocation of asylum seekers to the city.  The post alleged that Governor Mills informed the mayor she would be sending two busloads of asylum seekers to Calais and that Mayor Mingo responded by stating two buses would be waiting to send them back to Augusta.

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  27. Washington County Readying for Turkey-a-Thon on Oct. 11

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    Washington County is preparing for a beloved tradition: the 20th Annual Turkey-a-Thon, scheduled for Friday, October 11.  

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  28. Public Meeting Held on ATV Trail Proposal Near Moosehorn Wildlife Refuge

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    The second of two recent meetings regarding the proposed extension of the Down East Sunrise Trail from Ayers Junction to Route 1 in Calais was held last week at the Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge.  According to the Refuge, nearly 60 people attended to hear presentations, provide feedback, and ask questions.

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  29. Local Conservation Groups Clear Trails for Public Use

    The Downeast Salmon Federation (DSF) and the Pleasant River Fish and Game Conservation Association (PRFGCA) partnered together with community volunteers to clear downed trees along trails in DSF’s Pleasant River Community Forest in Columbia last week.  

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  30. Applefest at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church

    Community members browse through a variety of books at the book sale, part of the annual Applefest held last Saturday at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church. (Photo by Pierre Little)

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  31. Clyde's Car Show Draws Record Crowd with Over 80 Classic Cars

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    Clyde’s Car Show, now in its fourth year, drew a large crowd last Sunday once again as over 80 classic and antique cars filled the back lot of C&E Feeds General Market and Calais Package Hub, attracting enthusiasts of all ages. 

    Patrons strolled through the showcase, voting for their favorite vehicles.  A 50/50 raffle raised funds for the Kenny Murphy Memorial Fund, and prizes were awarded to standout cars and trucks.

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  32. Angus, Demi, and ME

    Jon Reisman

    Thirty years ago, I had an “Angus King for Governor” sign on the big white pine that towers over my mailbox. It was one of very few in Washington County. Angus kept his promise to get rid of car testing, opposed the salmon listing, and pushed $100 million (more than a million a mile) in improvements to Route 9 that significantly reduced both travel time and white knuckles on the airline. Despite that, the Two Maines problem got significantly worse during his tenure in both the Blaine House and the Senate. 

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  33. CDRC's Harvest Festival Schedule

    Scarecrow Lamp Pole Decorating, Main Street. Calling all businesses, groups, families, and individuals! Help add some seasonal décor to downtown by creating a scarecrow for the lamp posts for display throughout October. It’s free, and it’s fun! FMI, visit the Facebook page Calais, Maine Annual Scarecrow Contest.

    9 a.m. – Kids’ Scarecrow Shuffle 1-Mile Fun Run, Waterfront. Two groups – ages up to 8 and ages 9-12 – can lace up their sneakers and take part in the free 1-mile fun run. Sponsored by CDRC.

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  34. Princeton’s New Playground Takes Shape Through Community Effort

    Sandra Smith

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  35. Hunter Safety Course Offered at Calais Rod & Gun Club

    Will Tuell

    New hunters in search of a required firearms safety course before the fall season kicks into high gear may be in luck as the Calais Rod & Gun Club is planning a daylong course for anyone 10 and up in need of certification. The course will be held Saturday, Sept. 28, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Calais Rod and Gun Clubhouse -- 199 Charlotte Road in Charlotte. 

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  36. County Budget Committee Facing Tough Decision on $10.8-Million ‘Sticker Shock’ Budget

    Dispatchers, Information Technology Top County’s Wish List

    Paul Sylvain

    It is not the best of times for the Washington County budget committee after being handed a proposed 2025 budget that, if fully funded as presented — after subtracting projected revenues from expenditures — would ring in at  $10,845,108. That figure is up by $2.7 million, or approximately 33 percent, over the approved budget of $8,098,215.83 for the current year.

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  37. Kick Off Fall this Saturday at St. Anne’s Applefest

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    Prepare for a day filled with autumn cheer as St. Anne’s Episcopal Church in Calais hosts its Applefest this Saturday, September 28.  This year’s event will run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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  38. Lady Devils Score New Uniforms Thanks to St. Croix Lodge #46

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    The Calais High School Lady Devils soccer team recently received much-needed new uniforms, thanks to the generosity of St. Croix Lodge #46.  The lodge, through its youth matching grant with the Grand Lodge of Maine, funded half the cost of the uniforms.

    “The uniforms are in and look great,” said Coach Tom Parks.  

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  39. From Town Administrator to County Manager, Renee Gray Sees Her Role as Chief Troubleshooter

    Paul Sylvain

    Renee Gray wrapped up her first year as Washington County manager on July 6. As she explained in an interview at her office in the county courthouse building on Sept. 17, it has been a rewarding, though at times challenging, year. 

    As Gray digs in for her second year as the Sunrise County’s administrator, 2025 may be even more challenging for her, given the uncertainty over a proposed $10.8-million budget currently under scrutiny by the county’s budget committee.  

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  40. Freedom Studies - Climate Policy, Polls, and Polarization

    Jon Reisman

    September brought a super full moon, a partial eclipse, solar flares, and aurora alerts. The calendar included my late wife’s birthday, our anniversary, Labor Day, September 11th, Constitution Day, and a hermit-ending late summer trip down the airline to Bangor.  All those events are linked to less sleep and strong emotions (alas, Kamala’s “Joy” is not one of them). That may explain a somewhat scattershot column on climate policy, polls, and polarization.

    Climate Policy Anxiety  

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  41. Alexander Remembers Sept. 11

    Will Tuell

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  42. CDRC Brings American Idol Star to Calais

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    American Idol sensation Julia Gagnon took the stage Monday night in Calais, delivering an unforgettable performance after having to cancel her originally-scheduled show due to suffering with laryngitis.  

    Organized and sponsored by Calais Downtown Revitalization Coalition (CDRC), the concert drew hundreds of attendees to Flat Iron Park, marking one of the most anticipated and well-attended events in recent years.

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  43. Firefighters Contain Baileyville Brush Fire

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    The Baileyville Fire Department, alongside multiple local agencies, successfully contained a fast-moving brush fire on South Princeton Road on Saturday, Sept. 14.  Crews responded to the initial report of a small fire at 3:47 p.m., but, within 22 minutes, the blaze had doubled in size, fueled by dry marsh conditions, Fire Chief Bill Delnicki said.

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  44. Former Calais Resident Conquers the Appalachian Trail

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    In 2011, a hike through Maine’s 100-Mile Wilderness sparked a passion for backpacking in former Calais resident Bobby Campbell, now a resident of Glenburn.  It was during this trek that Campbell encountered several Appalachian Trail "through-hikers," adventurers making the long journey from Georgia to Maine, and the idea of tackling the full 2,190-mile trek began to take root.

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  45. Proud Dads

     

    Six father/son combos and even one grandfather/son/grandson combo took part in this year’s Club Championship at St. Croix Country Club. Shown are dads and sons Beau and Chase Scott, Toby and Parker Cole, James and Cameron Macdonald, Mike and Michael Barnard, Jason and Turner Redding, and Joe and Jacob Footer.  (Submitted photo)

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