Jayna Smith
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The near 80 attendees of the St. Croix Valley Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting and awards event on Friday evening, November 19, were not only impressed with the beautifully-decorated venue and fun atmosphere provided, they were also in awe of the delicious food included as part of the dinner.

Jayna Smith
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Basketball has begun at area high schools, and while athletes are excited to get back on the court, spectators are excited to get back into the gym after COVID-19 excluded them from all games last year.

According to Calais High School athletic director Randy Morrison, the Maine Principals’ Association Sports Medicine Committee (MPA SMA) has many recommendations in place; however, each school is responsible for setting their own rules surrounding COVID-19.

A wonderful tradition, originating during the papacy of Pope St. John Paul II, will be renewed in Washington County on the weekend of December 11-12, the third Sunday of Advent.

The “Blessing of the Bambinelli” will occur at each Mass on Saturday and Sunday at Holy Name of Jesus Church on 8 Free Street in Machias (Sunday 8:30 a.m.), Sacred Heart Church on 14 Hamilton Street in Lubec (Saturday 4:30 p.m.), and St. Michael Church on 51 Elm Street in Cherryfield (Sunday 10:30 a.m.).

Jayna Smith
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The International Feztival of Trees has been a highlight of the Christmas season since it began in Calais in 2016.  Cancelled last year due to the pandemic, the recent announcement of its return this year was very welcome news.

Proceeds of the popular event benefit the fundraising efforts of the two sponsoring clubs, Schoodic Shrine Club, which covers northern Washington County, and Washington County Shrine Club, which covers the southern part of the county.

Jayna Smith
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With this time of year bringing out the gratitude in many, allowing a celebration of sorts of all they have, it is also a reminder that others are not as fortunate.  To help alleviate some of the stress some experience, Second Baptist Church of Calais is hosting a free Thanksgiving dinner.

Jayna Smith
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Many recently completed the annual Operation Christmas Child campaign, a project committed to making life a little better for children of third world nations.  

Since 1993, more than 188 million children in more than 170 countries and territories have received an Operation Child Shoebox.  These gift-filled boxes are all distributed through the charity organization Samaritan's Purse.

Jayna Smith
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Downtown is looking brighter, thanks to Calais Downtown Revitalization Coalition (CDRC) and a group of community volunteers.

Recently, CDRC co-chair Anne Nixon put out a call for help.  The organization had purchased new strings of lights for all the light poles, but needed assistance getting the old ones down and the new ones up.

Jayna Smith
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Community Health and Counseling New Hope Hospice helped recognize a local veteran recently for his great dedicated service to his country and his community.  

John “Jack” Perkins, 87 years young, enlisted in the Army in 1954 at age 19, not long after having graduated from Woodland High School.  He served his command in the 25th infantry, 35th regiment to Korea and Japan during the Korean War.  

Natalie Boomer
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A man from Baring is now the world champion of deadlifting and bench pressing.  Wayne Sowers participated in a four-day World Championship Competition from October 31 to November 3, among 300 other weightlifters.

Jon Reisman

I will be spending my favorite Holiday with family in New Orleans. Here are some of the things and people I am thankful for.

My family

Natalie Boomer
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On Thursday, November 11th, the Alexander Grange #304 held a flagpole dedication ceremony for a new flagpole that was donated anonymously to the Alexander Cemetery.  

According to Granger Rhonda Randall Oakes, 13 people attended the event.

Jayna Smith
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For years, Thanksgiving in Calais has been synonymous with the free community dinner, hosted by Grampie Bill Gibson and his wife Arlene, along with volunteers who help serve the many meals.

The dinner has always been held at Second Baptist Church of Calais and even provided take-outs.  Every year, it has drawn many in the community together for a great afternoon of socializing and delicious food, all at no charge.  

Natalie Boomer
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On Saturday, November 13, an Empty Bowls Dinner was held at American Legion Cobscook Post 59 in Pembroke.
“Empty Bowls is an international initiative that seeks to feed the hungry locally through grass roots partnerships with local communities and artists,” mentioned Mary Krakow.

These dinners provide guests with a homemade ceramic bowl to take home, along with unlimited soup and bread at the event for a small donation of only $10.

This is 9-year-old Gabe Jackson, who came to the Machias veterans home early on Veterans Day morning and was seen out by the flags, saluting them. Then he came to the dining room window where veteran Bud Tyler stood in the window to watch him. Gabe then saluted him and we could read his lips as he said “Thank you” Bud saluted him back and told the young boy, “Thank you.” (Submitted photo)

Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Not far from the Whiting farm where he was raised, Lyman O. Hill’s descendents last week gathered with representatives from six law enforcement agencies and the state house to honor Hill and cousin Charles Niles, the first two Maine Game Wardens to die in the line of duty. Together with his parents, wife, and children, Hill is buried in his family cemetery, overlooking Gardner Lake.

Natalie Boomer
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A student at Woodland High School has been presented with the Giraffe Award for “sticking her neck out” to help others.  Sophomore Victoria Siering of Baileyville has been featured in a profile of 2021 Giraffe Award Winners and has been showcased for how she “sticks her neck out” for Maine children, youth, and families.

Kaileigh Deacon

When we hear the word community, we immediately think of a town, but a community is so much more. A community is a group of people who come together to support and encourage each other. Not all communities can be defined by the confines of town limits; some communities stretch far beyond that and that is what the skateboarding community is. The last year has seen a boom in the support for the skateboarding community, especially in the Calais community, as loss strengthened the bond.

Jayna Smith
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The 24th annual Lioness Christmas Parade is set to take place on Friday, December 3, and the club is excited to announce its choice for the 2021 Grand Marshal.

Jayna Smith
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On Monday, November 1, 2021, a COVID-19 testing and vaccination site opened at the Calais Recreation Center.  This site was made possible through a partnership between Department of Health and Human Services and the City of Calais.  

Natalie Boomer
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Fourteen-year-old Kaden Ramos of Baileyville signed a one-year sponsorship with Head Penn Pickleball over the summer.  Upon signing this contact, he agreed to represent their company while playing in tournaments and other pickleball related activities. In return, they would provide him with equipment and gear.

Jon Reisman

Muttley Post-Election Notes
Muttley was a Hanna Barbera animated character, the sidekick/foil of Dick Dastardly. Muttley was infamous for his snickering, rasping laugh, usually unleashed after some Dastardly shenanigans backfired and foiled his plans. I could hear Muttley’s laugh as Terry McCauliffe and his dastardly Democrat campaigning compadres (Obama, Biden, cackling Kamala, Stacey Abrams and the Critical Race Theory (it’s not taught, but it’s awesome!) toting teachers unions crashed and burned in Virginia.