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

Natalie Boomer
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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
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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
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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.

Jayna Smith
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One and a half years ago, in the August 5, 2020 edition of The Calais Advertiser, we shared details of the world’s largest plane–the Antonov An-225–that had landed at Bangor International Airport (BIA).  

Jayna Smith
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Students at Calais Elementary School recently had the chance to win a gift certificate to their favorite area restaurant, thanks to a competition held by the Calais PTO.  

Jayna Smith
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Woodland Parks and Recreation had a girls’ grades 7 and 8 travel basketball team this year, as well as a boys.’  The two teams played as part of the Eastern Maine Basketball League.

The Eastern Elite girls team, made up of a group of girls from various local schools, proved they can keep up with the larger-area teams, playing against teams from Orono, Ellsworth, and others.

The Woodland Junior High girls’ basketball team, coached by Kieve Leeman, won the Downeast Junior High Championship last week in a game against Calais held at Washington Academy.  The Dragons ended their season with a perfect 8-0 record.  Team members include Grace Howard, Cadence Roussel, Karleigh Smith, Kaylin Hamilton, Maddison Coleman, Mishun Cornelius, Baylee Fields, Audrina Moore, and Payton Walker.  (Photo courtesy of Chip Smith)

Natalie Boomer
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On Saturday, February 19th, the Dennysville Snowmobile and ATV Club hosted their Free Annual Family Fun Day.
Community members gathered at the Calais Rod and Gun Club in Charlotte at 9 a.m. to participate in some fun winter activities.

A fishing derby took place along with a joker run on the lake, trucker rides, hill sliding, and an ice fishing package was raffled off.

Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Healthy Acadia’s Food Program Manager Regina Grabrovac was the first to present at this month’s meeting of the Washington County Commissioners, held Thursday, Feb. 10, at the county courthouse in Machias.

Grabrovac, who is well known throughout the county for her work on behalf of food security and Downeast farmers, attended the meeting to deliver a Healthy Acadia proposal that would create a community gardening project on county land.

Calais played Woodland at Woodland in their last regular season game last week.  The Lady Devils claimed the victory with a score of 57-48.

Calais was led by Nevaeh Thomas with 15 points and Alexis Donahue with 14.

Brenna Critchley and Sage Phillips each added 11, while Kendra Stevens and Mercedes Owen each added 3.

Calais finished the season in second place for class C North.

Jayna Smith
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The Calais High School cheerleaders, coached by Heidi Braughton, have been back on the sidelines this year after COVID-19 halted them last season.  With the enthusiasm and cheers they bring, they have not disappointed the Blue Devils fans.

Kaileigh Deacon

Some may think that there is a deadline on finding love and movies on television and in theaters often reinforce this idea. But just across town on South Street, two residents at the assisted living facility learned that love is more than just the numbers that follow your birthday.

Kaileigh Deacon

In sight for schools is the end of another academic year, as the most normal of the last three years has almost come to a close.  The question that many schools are now starting to ask is when will it be time to remove the masks?

Jayna Smith
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At Woodland on Thursday, February 3, Coach Dean Preston’s Blue Devils were quite possibly considered the underdogs going into the contest, but Calais took the win over the Dragons, 55-39.  

Skinny Dana led all, dropping in 18 points to go along with his 15 rebounds for Calais.

Jace Cook added another 16 points and Jacob Sockabasin 12.  Sockabasin also grabbed 20 rebounds.  

Jayna Smith
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On Saturday, February 5, just before the start of the final regular-season home games at Calais High School, athletic director Randy Morrison made a special presentation.  This presentation recognized Jeff Demmons and Mike Ellis, both of whom have been announcing Calais basketball games for more than 20 years on WQDY and who each recently announced their retirements from doing so.

Ten winners from the St. Croix Valley area were named local champions of the 2022 Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship.  All five boys and five girls have now earned the right to compete at the state level in March.

St. Croix Council #149 in Calais sponsored the local competition at Calais Elementary School last Saturday, February 5.  All youngsters ages 9 to 14 were eligible to participate.  

Each was allowed 25 free throw attempts in the contest.  High score for the day was 18 shots made out of 25 attempts.