A fire crackled in the woodstove as Mary Margaret Ripley chopped carrots and ginger root. Her husband, Gene Ripley, helped their 20-month old daughter, Harriet, sort the vegetables into glass jars. They then added a scoop of curry powder and a simple mixture of salt and water, brine that would ferment the vegetables over the course of five to seven days. For the Ripleys, fermented vegetables are a way of life.

In 2012 and 2013, we performed the first chemical reclamations in the Moosehead Lake region since 1984 when Sawyer Pond was reclaimed after white perch were illegally introduced.

Upcoming events across the region

Audiologist Chris Clukey of Dover Audiology, left, presents Rusty Willette with a $1,000 donation for the Unitarian Universalist Church of Sangerville and Dover-Foxcroft for the church food cupboard

Three Rivers Kiwanis will be serving the annual Christmas Dinner from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 25 at the Kiwanis Headquarters Building, 24 Gerrish Road off Park Street. This event is open to the public and is free. Donations will be accepted.

The highlight of the tournament came in when senior Brandon Weston reached a personal milestone. On his first match of the tournament Weston pinned his Washington Academy of East Machias opponent to earn his 100th career win.

The Calvary Chapel Highlanders, Outpost #68, a Royal Ranger Scouting group, recently enjoyed a tour of the Maine Army National Guard Blackhawk helicopter facility. The Highlander boys, their commanders and chaperones were treated to a tour by Blackhawk pilots Greg Raychard and Mike Harrington

Several inches of snow fell on Dover-Foxcroft over the weekend, leaving a lasting white coating over the town. More snow was forecast for Tuesday to help create a winter wonderland for the holiday season.

A dozen runners from the region headed north on Saturday, Dec. 9 to take part in the second annual Millinocket Half-Marathon and Marathon -- the races had no entry fees as participants were instead urged to spend their money in the Katahdin region.

Representative Paul Stearns, R-Guilford has announced his intention to run for the Maine House of Representatives in District 119. Stearns is currently serving his second term in that seat.