Monson Arts -- a new arts center and artists’ residency program supported by the Libra Foundation -- will open a new exhibit on May 15 at its gallery in downtown Monson. “Artists of the Forest,” curated by folklorist Kathleen Mundell, features the work of six artists from Maine’s Northern Forest who work with one of the region’s most abundant resources- -- wood.

Local author Joe Siccardi will facilitate a second six-week class trying to demystify writing in general and taking the fear out of sharing your written words. The interactive Take the Fear Out of Writing class will begin Monday, June 3 at 1 p.m. at The Commons at Central Hall. It will continue weekly through July 8.

It is pretty hard to find someone more sympathetic to the plight of teachers than me. My wife has worked for years as a teacher in kindergarten through second grade.

On Saturday, May 4 28 volunteers gathered in the community to help manage one of Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation (PCSWCD) properties, the Law Farm on Lee Cemetery Road. Among the crowd were the Cub Scout Pack 61, Brian Roth from the University of Maine School of Forest Resources, Unity College Trail Crew and East Sangerville Grange members.

Trailing 3-0 after the top of the first during a May 8 contest against neighboring Dexter Regional High School, Foxcroft Academy would score 11 times in the home half of the inning. The Ponies would need most of the early offensive output in a 14-9 victory.

It’s a good bet that Maine is going to join the growing list of states that allow gambling on sports. I don’t like gambling. It’s too hard to make money to give it away to someone else for a few minutes of excitement.

There’s a lawsuit in the courts now regarding whether it’s legal to ask a person’s citizenship status in the upcoming U.S. Census. Historically, the question of whether a resident was an “alien,” naturalized, or when they came to this country has been asked in censuses back to the first one in 1790. But in today’s political climate it’s much trickier than it was in prior years.

Off to the East, behind Pagoda Peak, dawn was creeping upward. In the crimson half light, my horse picked its way along the rocky, mud-frozen pack trail. The boss, an elk outfitter I worked for, had given me the morning off and a loaned horse to get to the elk country above the Beaver Creek basin in Colorado.

Ridge View Community School student government representatives were recently invited to the Margaret Chase Smith Museum in Skowhegan and presented with a $200 check to continue their community service.

The Center Theatre was full of Seussified Fun Friday, May 3 as The Slightly Off-Center Player Kids took the stage to perform “Seussical Jr.” for the first time. Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat and more favorite Dr. Seuss characters sprung to life onstage with exciting songs and colorful costumes.