First National Bank recently announced that it has made donations totaling $17,500 to twenty-nine food pantries in the bank’s market area. “First National Bank is grateful for the critical services that our food pantries provide to our neighbors in need,” remarked Tony C. McKim, President and CEO. “As a Maine community bank, it is our goal to respond to the needs of these vital organizations that serve and help families put food on the table.”  

Jayna Smith
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Two members–Tristan Seavey and Cassidy Carr–of Calais High School’s drama program, The Calais Callbacks, recently received top honors at the state festival, earning the recognition of All Festival Cast.  

Both Seavey and Carr, seniors at CHS, have been members of the drama program since middle school.  The two were among the few chosen for the recognition due to their strong acting skills displayed at the festival.  

Jon Reisman

When I was growing up in Philadelphia, March and April meant spring. In my high school years in the late 60s and early 70s, warmer temperatures and longer days corresponded to tennis practice and matches. By mid to late April, temperatures in the high 70’s and low 80’s were not uncommon. The City of Brotherly Love was fully greened and often sweltering by May Day.

Jayna Smith
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All seven of Maine’s Visitor Information Centers, along with the administration office in Hallowell, have come together to help gather food donations for Ukraine.  
According to Vicki Farrell, manager at the Maine Visitor Information Center in Calais, the collection began on March 21 and will end this Friday, April 1.  

Archaeology At Indigenous Sites In Pembroke presented
by Dr. Gabe Hrynick

Most Pembroke Historical Society programs have been about the late 18th through early 20th centuries, with such topics as the American Revolution, the Civil War, the Abolition of Slavery, and the Women’s Suffrage Movement, but on Thursday, April 21st at 7 p.m., on ZOOM, PHS will travel much further back for some “Really, Really Old History” with a presentation on archaeology at Pembroke sites of settlement by Indigenous Peoples, including Reversing Falls.

Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Joe McBrine was hunting, fishing, and trapping before most people learn their state capitols, often racing off early before school to set traps along the Middle River, then checking them again at night. He was in the 5th grade when he first considered becoming a game warden, and it looks like he made the right decision. Last week the Maine Warden Service named McBrine the 2021 Maine Game Warden of the Year, honoring his commitment, skill, and 27-plus years of service protecting the people and wild places of Washington County.

Natalie Boomer
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Downeast Lakes Land Trust is inviting the community to meet in the forest of Grand Lake Stream and search for sheds on Saturday, April 2nd.
This Maine spring tradition brings hunters and adventurers out to look for moose and deer antlers.

“We’ve never done this event before, but it’s a very popular local pastime and a great way to get outdoors during mud season,” said development and outreach manager Colin Brown.

Jayna Smith
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The requirement of providing a negative COVID-19 test result to enter Canada will finally come to an end on April 1, 2022.  

Entry into Canada will still require the use of the ArriveCAN app or website.  As well, those who travel into Canada or into the United States will still need to be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.  

Natalie Boomer
[email protected]

On Saturday, March 19, the Calais Free Library celebrated Dr. Seuss’ 118th birthday.
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. children of all ages were invited into the children's room in the library to celebrate with games, prizes, cupcakes, snacks, and most importantly, books.

This is not all; those at the library have actually been celebrating all month long leading up to this event.

Jon Reisman

Vladimir Putin is turning Ukrainian cities into rubble, threatening nuclear war, and pushing some 2 million refugees into Poland and beyond. Race baiters Joy Reid and Nicole Hannah Jones said Americans only cared because Ukrainians are white. The Russians seem likely to complete a land locking maneuver along the Black Sea, which will turn Ukraine into the European equivalent of Bolivia, but without the mineral wealth.

Jayna Smith
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Last July, Best Western Plus St. Stephen Hotel & Suites officially broke ground on Budd Avenue, right next to Garcelon Civic Center.  The construction project was initiated back in 2012, but like others, experienced setbacks in development caused by the pandemic.  

These two Calais All-Stars take a minute to strategize in a game last season.  The 2022 Little League season is open for kids in the greater Calais area to sign up.  The programming includes T-Ball for ages 4 to 6, Minor League Baseball and Softball for ages 7 and 8; and Major League Baseball and Softball for ages 9 to 12.  Learn more and register at clubs.bluesombrero.com/calaislittleleagueme.  (Photo by Jayna Smith)

Renowned Ukrainian violinist Solomia Soroka will perform in a free public concert at 7:30 p.m. March 26 in Minsky Recital Hall at the University of Maine.
Soroka’s performance, hosted by the UMaine School of Performing Arts, will feature music faculty members Phillip Silver, professor of piano and musicology, and Noreen Silver, instructor of cello and chamber music. The program will include works by Ukrainian composers Mykola Lysenko, Yevhen Stankovych and Vasyl Barvinsky as a tribute to the nation of Soroka’s birth.

Jon Reisman

Jayna Smith
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There is a national blood crisis, and the Red Cross is urging people to donate.  

According to Tom Hinman of the American Red Cross, the national blood inventory is at an all-time low. “The Red Cross and other blood banks across the country are trying to rebuild the inventory.”

He said that in ideal conditions, hospitals would have a four to five day supply of blood on hand, but currently, most have less than a one-day supply on their shelves.  

Natalie Boomer
[email protected]

Twenty-two individuals have come together in hopes of restoring the Waite-Talmadge Congregational Church.

Natalie Boomer
[email protected]

The Baileyville School Committee voted in favor last week of ending the masking mandate.
Community members gathered at the Woodland Jr./Sr. High School on Tuesday, March 1st at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the matter.

When all five of the school board members voted to end the mask mandate, everyone began to cheer, including some high school students who were in attendance.

Jon Reisman

President Brandon’s State of the Union address left me in a state of discontent and anger, which is probably appropriate, since that is what 14 months of Brandon has done to the nation as a whole.

Jayna Smith
[email protected]

Five Washington County student-athletes were selected as 2022 Maine McDonald’s High School All-Stars:  Sage Phillips, Calais High School; Lauren Beal, Jonesport-Beals High School; Wyatt MacArthur, Woodland High School; and Kashman Feeney and Kyle Anderson, Machias High School.

Jayna Smith
[email protected]

As of last Monday, February 28, those wishing to enter Canada may do so with fewer restrictions.  

Now, for those fully-vaccinated, a negative result from a rapid test will be accepted for entry, pending that test was administered by a health care entity, laboratory, or telehealth service.  At-home test results will not be accepted.

Molecular tests, commonly known as PCR tests, will still be accepted as they have been, when taken within 72 hours of arrival.

Eastport Arts Center’s intern L. Elwood will offer sessions of four types of dance this winter. There will be two classes geared for children, and two for older teens and adults. Classes will be held on a drop-in basis, with a suggested sliding scale donation. No previous dance experience is needed and no dress code is required. “Wear what you can move in,” says Elwood.