If the idea of a total makeover or a complete revamp seems overwhelming, why not aim for a small shift? Sometimes a well-timed, quick reboot will do the trick and is more convenient, fun, and can infuse daily life with a cool and interesting vibe. The Thompson Free Library in Dover-Foxcroft is just the spot to mix things up a little.

The Dover-Foxcroft Historical Society invites all to the Wednesday, Sept. 4 meeting to be held at 7 p.m. at The Commons at Central Hall. Maine author Tim Caverly will present his “Jeopardy”-style PowerPoint program “So You Think You Know Maine.”

Landless farmers joining with elder homesteaders. Here's one interesting proposal to address a current problem in Maine: somehow connect people who want to farm but don't have land with people who have land but are getting too old to work it anymore. This will be the topic of the Sept. 6 First Friday public discussion at the Abbott Memorial Library (or the UU Church across the street depending on crowd size) in Dexter from 6 to 8 p.m.

This year marks the 132nd anniversary of the Piscataquis Valley Fair, which began in 1887. The 2019 fair will run from Thursday, Aug. 22 to Sunday, Aug. 25 at the fairgrounds located at 77 Fairview Avenue. The four days will feature exhibitions, rides, concerts and fun for all ages.

The Abbot Historical Society members will be holding a potluck dinner at the Abbot Town Hall on Tuesday, Aug. 27 at 5 p.m. followed by the regular business meeting.

Calling all shy, lazy actors. A play reading of “A Flea in Her Ear” will be at the Wayside Theatre on Sunday, Aug. 25 at 2 p.m. No experience needed, no lines to memorize, no rehearsals, no stage directions or costumes. Just sit on the stage, read a part (or two or three depending) and have fun. Scripts provided at the reading.

The Parkman Grange needs the community’s help. The Grange well has run dry and a new one must be drilled immediately in order to carry on scheduled and planned activities, such as the upcoming Smoke Off (Sept. 14) and the annual Military Appreciation Supper (Oct. 19).

“Relocating the 100 Mile Wilderness,” a presentation by Dave Field, overseer of Lands for the Maine Appalachian Trail Club and trail worker in Maine for 64 years, will be at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 15 at 7 p.m. at the Monson Historical Society.

August is one of my favorite months, not only because it’s usually nice and warm for boating and swimming at beautiful Moosehead Lake, but also because of all the activities offered in and around Greenville. This August is an especially busy one – there are so many things to pick and choose from. Here’s a sampling to consider for the weekend of August 16-18

The Center Theatre for the Performing Arts is presenting a live theatrical version of “Tuesdays With Morrie” in Dover-Foxcroft and Greenville between Aug. 17 and Sept. 8. The funny and heartwarming play was written by Jeffrey Hatcher and Mitch Albom and is based on the New York Times bestselling book written by Mitch Albom.

The Maine Red Hot Festival will be back in downtown Dexter on Saturday, Aug. 10 as the fourth annual event will feature activities with free admission from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. -- rain or shine.

Every five years Bowerbank Days returns to the community on the shores of Sebec Lake and in 2019 the festival features events in the village on the evening of Friday, Aug. 9 and throughout the day on Saturday, Aug. 10 with a theme of “We Love Bowerbank -- Hook, Line & Sinkah.”

On Wednesday, Aug. 21 at 2 p.m. the Abbott Memorial Library in Dexter will be hosting one of the Chewonki’s Foundation’s most popular traveling natural history programs “Owls of Maine.”

Daniel O. Hurd Jr. served as parade marshal for the 2019 Dover-Foxcroft Shiretown Homecoming parade on the morning of Saturday, Aug. 3, a “Home on the Range -- Take 2” procession rescheduled due to rain one year prior.

The Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District has opened registration for final sessions in its popular Families in the Outdoors series. Families in the Outdoors was started in 2018 from a grant received by the Davis Conservation Foundation. The goal of this program is to engage with families outdoors and provide fun, educational opportunities to learn and play together.

On Tuesday evening, July 30 nearly 40 people gathered at the Brownville Community Church to view home movies recorded in Brownville Junction and along both the Canadian Pacific and the Bangor & Aroostook rail lines by Sam Michaud and his son Andrew in the 1940s and 1950s.

Have you ever wondered about the stone wall you found when walking through the woods? Have you questioned why anyone would build a wall in the woods? Many of your questions will be answered on Thursday, Aug. 8 at the Abbott Museum on Church Street in Dexter. Kevin Gardner of Hopkinton, New Hampshire will present a program on the history of New England stone walls.

The peak months for shark activity in New England waters are August and September. To celebrate this annual event, the Abbott Memorial Library in Dexter will be showing the 1975 classic film about a giant man-eating great white shark that attacks beachgoers in a New England summer resort town. Directed by Steven Spielberg, the film stars Roy Scheider and Richard Dreyfuss.