By Kaileigh Deacon

As the ground freezes and snow starts to fall, the appearance of animals becomes more of a rare sight, and when people get a chance to see them they get excited. Oftentimes that excitement leads to people leaving food out for the animals, feeling they are helping.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Three people were killed and a fourth injured in a shooting rampage that took place at three locations in Machias and Jonesboro on the morning of Monday, Feb. 3. 

Calais Regional Medical Services is pleased to announce that Dr. James Eshleman has joined the Family Medicine office.   He will be seeing patients at the CRMS practice on a part-time basis 2-3 days per week.   Dr. Eshleman spent over four decades at his family practice office in Norway, Maine.  Following retirement he was able to spend more time at his vacation camp in West Grand Lake.   However, after three weeks he decided full retirement was not for him and reached out to Calais Regional Hospital to offer his services.   

The Calais Lady Blue Devils hosted the eighth annual Pink Zone game against the Woodland Lady Dragons on Wednesday, January 22, sponsored by Calais Regional Hospital to raise awareness about breast cancer. For this one evening, fans were asked to drop their team colors and unite together by wearing pink to the game. As in years past, the Pink Zone had additional Supporters: PCT Communications and V.L. Tammaro Oil Co. Breast Cancer Awareness information and promotional items were available at the game. 

At a special dinner ceremony at the St. Croix Knights of Columbus Hall on Sunday night, Calais Celtic Concert Director Tom MacDonald presented a check for $1,000 to the officers of the council for their High School Scholarship Fund. Each year the Knights of Columbus give out high school scholarships to both Woodland and Calais High Schools. For the past few years the scholarships have been funded by the Calais Celtic Concert Series. Left to right: Grand Knight George McLaughlin accepting the check from Calais Celtic concerts Director Tom MacDonald. (Submitted photo)

By Jayna Smith

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Calais Parks and Recreation Director Craig Morrison made the annual presentation of the Michael McPherson Award last Saturday.  The award, Morrison told those in attendance, began in 2000 and recognizes a community member who is a vital volunteer at the Calais Recreation Department. 

This large group of young athletes has had the winter at WES to practice basketball skills under the direction of Gena Maloney and Woodland High School athletes. They performed at a Dragon basketball game this past week. (Photo by John Rogers)

By Natalie Boomer

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The Indian Township cheerleading team is hosting a spaghetti dinner, auction and bake sale to fundraise for costs of travel to competitions, floor mats and other equipment. 

The dinner will be on Sunday, February 3rd at the Tribal Youth Center in Princeton. 

By Jayna Smith

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Two women are promoting wholeness and wellness and have worked to create a stress-free zone, a place where one can be relieved of both physical and mental stress.  Located on lower Barker Street, Sarah Marsanskis brings her experience in deep tissue massage therapy, while Kevin Sample brings her experience in counseling with her practice RiverLight Counseling.

By Kaileigh Deacon

On Wednesday night a small group of Calais High School students gathered in the school’s cafeteria with their friends, family, and school faculty to induct five new members into the National Honor Society.

The National Honor Society is an extracurricular organization that focuses on service to the school and its community. Over the course of the year, the group works both independently and with other groups to help their communities when needs arise.

By Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Washington County Commissioner Chris Gardner opened a public hearing last week explaining what the hearing was — and was not — for.

“I understand the large number of people in this room tonight is because there are some strong feelings on this subject. I want to make it clear that the commissioners are not the committee of jurisdiction for approving or disapproving this project,” said Gardner. “It’s approved or disapproved by the DEP and the LUPC.”

Brig. Gen. Dean Preston was promoted from colonel to his current rank Jan. 5 in a 1 p.m. ceremony at the 240th Regional Training Institute in front of an audience of family, friends and National Guard members.

In his new role as land component commander, Preston will be responsible for all training, manning and equipping of Maine Army National Guard forces and ensuring operational readiness requirements are properly met.

By Jayna Smith

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In an effort to restore the population of Atlantic salmon, the removal of the old power plant in Meddybemps began phase one of a project by Downeast Salmon Federation.  Atlantic salmon are considered endangered in the U.S. by the federal government.

By Kaileigh Deacon

For some, birthdays are just another cake and the addition of another candle on top. But for lifelong Calais resident Verna MacKechnie, this year marks a total of 103 candles on top of her cake.

Verna was born in Calais area on January 9, 1917, and has made Calais her home ever since. In addition to raising a family, Verna held a number of jobs over the years and was always known for her hard work and got get ‘em work ethic.

The Immaculate Conception Church Faith Formation children, grades kindergarten through eighth, recently held a bake sale which raised $384.01. They donated the entire amount to the Irene Chadbourne Ecumenical Food Pantry in Calais.

Pictured is the Calais Recreation JHS basketball team. Members include front l-r: Citaly Tinker, Avva Cassidy, Megan Mitchell, Brooklyn McCarthy, and Shayna Cook. Back l-r: Coach Nathan Farrar, Kayleigh Scott, Chloe Farrar, Brenna Critchley, Alexis Seavey, and Kate McPhee. (Photo by John Rogers)

By Jayna Smith

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Area Girl Scouts have begun their annual cookie sales campaign.  The girls are ready to demonstrate goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics--the “5 Skills" each Girl Scout learns through the cookie program.

By Jayna Smith

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Ruth Muller just celebrated her 105th birthday.  This likely makes her the oldest person in the City of Calais, possibly even in the state.  

Born in Germany on January 3, 1915, Ms. Muller immigrated to the United States with her parents and two sisters through Ellis Island.  Like others at that time, her parents were in search of a better life for her family.  Ms. Muller was eight years old and did not speak a word of English.

By Jayna Smith

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Common resolutions for the new year include losing weight, getting in better shape, and simply living a healthier lifestyle.  These goals don’t have to be difficult to attain, even after the season of sweets and merrymaking.  In Calais, there are many opportunities to accomplish these goals in 2020.

Pictured front l-r are members of the WHS varsity: Cyrus Sewell, Justin Overlock, Jaidyn Williams, Austin Murphy, Devon Wilder, Ian Howland, Chris Plissey, Ethan Monk, and Wyatt MacArthur. On the men’s alumni team back l-r: Todd Wormell, Chad James, Weston Kochendoerfer, Mark Seavey, Bill Smith, Chris Moreside, Sabre Phelps, Justin Worden, Bob Ferry Sr., Bobby Ferry Jr, John Kesel, and Frank Morrison. (Photo by John Rogers)

Calais Celtic Concerts, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus #149, collected $375 for the Irene Chadbourne Ecumenical Food Pantry at its Dec. 21st Celtic Christmas show at Calais High School that featured Coig from Cape Breton, N.S.  At each of their stops, Coig donated food and money for food pantries and fuel assistance programs. At their Farmington concert, the fuel collection qualified for a $5,000 matching grant.

Calais Celtic Concerts wishes to thank its loyal audience members and Coig for their generosity this Christmas season.