Natalie Boomer 

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For years Bill and Arlene Gibson of Grampie Bill’s in Calais have served the public with free Easter and Thanksgiving meals out of the kindness of their own hearts.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the two were not able to host an Easter dinner for the 2020 year. Although they had to cancel, they knew they would still find a way to help out the community. 

Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Heavy rains held off just long enough to allow a solemn ceremony dedicating Acadia National Cemetery, which took place on Saturday, Aug. 30. In keeping with coronavirus restrictions, a small group was invited to hear remarks from Sen. Susan Collins, Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Randy Reeves, and Secretary of Veteran Affairs Robert Wilkie. Music was provided by Maine National Guard’s 195th Army Band. 

Submitted by Ann Montgomery

Jayna Smith

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With schools resuming soon, Calais Police Chief Dave Randall reminds motorists to be cautious.  

Jayna Smith

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Many community members came together Monday night to remember those lost to addiction, as well as to show support to those affected by drug use and to share stories of recovery, all in honor of National Overdose Awareness Day.

Jayna Smith

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A local woman has created some very intricate depictions of familiar Calais buildings, and she’s put them all together and made them available for purchase in the form of notecards.

Nell Walton has never taken an art course, but one would be very surprised after seeing her work.  Her first love was pen and ink, and she had never painted with watercolors until just last October.  

Jayna Smith

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Sen. Marianne Moore (R-Calais) and Rep. Kathy Javner (R-Chester) recently traveled to three eastern Washington County dams after hearing concerns from constituents on lake water levels. 

Employees of First National Bank recently raised $532.54 for the Calais Recreation Department through its Casual for a Cause program. Employees make a contribution to a nominated non-profit organization in exchange for dressing casually on Fridays for one month.

The City of Calais Recreation Department offers team sports and fun individual and family activities indoors and outdoors year-round. 

For more information visit www.calaismaine.org/parks-and-recreation/ or visit their Facebook page. 

Jayna Smith

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Last year in Maine, 380 lives were lost due to drugs, a 7 percent increase over 354 in 2018.  Of those 380, 84 percent were caused by opioids, nearly always in combination with other drugs or alcohol, according to the Office of the Maine Attorney General.  Although the numbers for each of the two years were a decrease from the 418 in 2017, the opioid crisis continues to be a public health epidemic.  

Jayna Smith

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A benefit to help one in need is a big undertaking to plan and execute, but doing so during a pandemic is even more difficult, considering restrictions on gatherings and many guidelines to follow.  For one local woman, recently diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, a friend has thought of an innovative way to host a benefit drive-up Chinese auction.

Jonathan Reisman

Growing up and attending public schools in Philadelphia in the 1960s, I got an up close and personal view of the American founding, race relations, diversity and its discontents.  The Pledge of Allegiance’s promise of “liberty and justice for all” would probably be termed white supremacist systemic racism by today’s mostly peaceful protesters, but in Philadelphia I was taught America was founded in freedom in 1776, not slavery in 1619.

Jayna Smith

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A pug is a breed of dog recognizable to most by its short-muzzled, wrinkly face, curled tail, and big, beady black eyes.  This breed brings true friendship to owners through the unconditional love they demonstrate, and for one couple, John and Robin Bouchard, of Robbinston, pugs certainly complete their family.

Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Osprey circled above municipal and state officials gathered where Downeast Correctional Facility’s control center and dormitory number three once stood. Both buildings were demolished earlier this year to make way for the Bucks Harbor prison’s next act as a pre-release center, now on schedule to open in the summer of 2021.

Gilbert O’Brien, known affectionately as Gibby, passed away last week, leaving behind his wonderful wife of 68 years, Louise, their son Bobby and his fiance Stephanie, and numerous friends and family members.  

Gibby made his living driving trucks and was well-known and well-liked in the Calais area and beyond.  In recent years, it was common to see him and his wife Louise taking a trek around town in an antique vehicle, a daily routine for the couple.  

Kaileigh Deacon

For those in the Calais area, there has been a go-to place for flowers for a number of years. Flowers by Janie has been a staple in the Calais community for many special occasions. After a busy 24 years, the little flower shop on the corner of North and Garfield Streets is closing its doors for good. 

CLIV DORE

Perry – Cliv Dore, 78, passed away unexpectedly on August 15, 2020 while at his camp on Dobsie Lake. Cliv was born in Pleasant Point on July 12, 1942, the oldest of twelve children born to Stafford and Dorothy (Altvater) Dore.

Cliv was the patriarch of his family, the mentor and the storyteller.

Newspaper Publisher/Owners Pierre and Wendy Little are very pleased with the excellent paving job done by Certified Paving & Sealcoating at the office at 23 Church Street in Calais.  It was long overdue. They were pleased to be able to support a local business and want to thank the crew of Certified Paving and Sealcoating for their excellent work. (Photos by Wendy Little)

Jayna Smith

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High school-aged summer baseball made it’s return to the Calais area this year, with the Downeast Storm team.  Storm finished the regular season in an impressive fourth place in the north division and earned a home playoff game against the fifth-placed Mid Coast (Belfast/Searsport) team.

Jayna Smith

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Dale Crafts, Maine 2nd Congressional District Republican candidate on a quest to unseat incumbent Jared Golden, recently gained support from President Donald Trump.  In a tweet, the POTUS said, “Dale Crafts will be a tremendous Congressman for Maine!”  He went on further to share that Crafts is “an experienced businessman” who “knows how to create jobs,” loves our veterans and military, and “will always defend your Second Amendment” rights.  

Jordan Donovan

The Chosen is a first-of-its-kind, multi-season television drama following the life of Jesus depicted through the eyes of his followers and those with whom he interacted. Fabricated, directed and co-written by American filmmaker Dallas Jenkins, it broke the all-time crowdfunding record for a media project, reaching  $10 million from over 16,000 investors for the first season alone. The second season that is still in production has fundraised over $7 million from more than 365,000 investors.