A traditional tonic in Eastern Europe, beet kvass is tangy fermented beverage that is consumed regularly, in small doses, to promote good health. In recent years, this vibrant red liquid has become increasingly popular in the United States among those seeking for natural remedies and healthy whole foods.

Wesley McNair, Maine’s former poet laureate, will return to the Thompson Free Library at 5:30 p.m.o n Thursday, Nov. 29, to read from his latest volume of poems, “The Unfastening.” The event is free and open to the public.

Maine author Paul Doiron will speak at the Thompson Free Library at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15 for the James Brown Lecture Series. The event is free and open to the public.

We all need something to look forward to. Anticipation of moments big and small can motivate, create excitement, or ease anxiety. It can help us through a tough time or a long day. Your mouth waters just thinking about that special Thanksgiving dish, you perk up after making a lunch date with a friend, smile at the prospect of browsing that cute shop, and get psyched when your favorite author is writing a new book: “Put me on the list!” (the library patron’s favorite refrain!). November at the Thompson Free Library will give you plenty to look forward to and wanting more.

The Center Theatre for the Performing Arts will be presenting a Pirate Dinner Theater at the Commons Event Center at Central Hall on Saturday, Nov. 10. There will be two shows on the 10th, a 2 p.m. show for kids and a 6 p.m. show for all ages which will include a cash bar by Pat's Pizza. Food and drinks are included in the ticket price for each show and a show-only ticket with no dinner is available for the evening performance.

Ed Hummel, retired meteorologist now living in Garland and a supporter of Dexter Dover Area Towns in Transition (DDATT), will once again present an overall look at how weather works on the planet, how it’s been changing recently, and implications for the area. This free public workshop is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Saturday Nov. 10 at the Abbott Memorial Library.

The Wassabec Genealogy Chapter members are pleased to have as a guest speaker Peter M. Smith of the Maine Genealogical Society and host of the Central Maine DNA Interest Group in Winslow. Smith will be at the next meeting at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 4 at the Mayo Regional Hospital conference rooms.

The Commons at Central Hall would like to honor this body of knowledge that is passed down among members of our culture, and share a space that welcomes and celebrates everyone. This year, our first year after a long restoration, we will be hosting an annual Fall Folk Festival. Please join us this Saturday, Nov. 3 from 2-7 p.m. as we fill the building with educational demonstrations, vendors, live music, and tasty treats.

Pine Tree Hospice and AARP are sponsoring a free family movie, screening “The Bucket List,” with popcorn, water, tea, coffee ,and juice at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 7 at the Center Theatre.

The Piscataquis County Soil & Water Conservation District (PCSWCD) is co-hosting a “Climate Change: Forest & Ecosystem Impacts” presentation with the University of Maine’s Piscataquis County Extension Office, and the Natural Resource Education Center at Moosehead (NREC). It will be held Friday, Nov. 9 at the Center for Moosehead History, 6 Lakeview Street in downtown Greenville, and will run from 6 to 8 p.m.

Doors at the East Sangerville Grange open at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 3 for its renowned annual Holiday Craft Fair.

On Friday, Nov. 2 Dexter Dover Area Towns in Transition (DDATT) will host Dexter Regional High School’s Key Club at the monthly free public discussion held every first Friday at 6 p.m. at the Abbott Memorial Library.

A number of events are planned for the weekend and on Halloween as part of the annual Dover-Foxcroft Halloween BooNanza. A full schedule and more information is available at http://www.boonanza.info/.

On Friday, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. the Center Theatre will be hosting its second annual Pumpkin Jam Battle of the Bands Fall Fundraiser. The event brings three favorite local bands together to compete for a cash prize and bragging right for the year. This year, Troy Youngblood and Deb Maynard's Little Big Band will be trying to knock last year's winners the Doughty Hill Band off their pedestal.

Members of the community are invited to attend the Piscataquis Regional YMCA annual meeting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 25. The meeting will be held at the Piscataquis Regional YMCA at 48 Park Street.

The Misty Mountaineers play traditional bluegrass, gospel, and a mix of older country tunes done bluegrass style at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27 at the Wayside Theatre.

The Guilford Memorial Library will be hosting William Geller as he leads a discussion on the history of the Piscataquis watershed. This discussion will also include the 1825 Guilford fire and local river logging drives. This will take place at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 17 at the library.

October in Maine has a cinematic feel. From the red, orange, and yellow-tinged backdrops to the fallen leaves swirling in the wind to the jack o’ lantern grinning from the porch. One minute a bittersweet Lifetime romance, the next the ominous foreshadowing of “Something Wicked This Way Comes,” before culminating in a tension building scene straight out of “Halloween.” Whatever lens you view the month through, the Thompson Free Library in Dover-Foxcroft has programs to fit your shifting mood as autumn takes hold and All Hallow’s Eve approaches.