At 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 5 in  the Mayo Regional Hospital conference room, the Wassabec Genealogy Chapter will be holding a business meeting and program. The program will be well known genealogist Nancy Battick who will be discussing how to research probate records and deeds.

Kenneth Hatchette’s first attempt at a novel loosely based on his memories (and those of his friends) of Brownville Junction can be enjoyed in his new book “The Great Chase” available on Amazon.com.

Though Peace, Love, & Waffles has been open since November, there will be a grand opening celebration from 3-5 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 9 with a 4 p.m. Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting ceremony. Coffee and baked goods will be offered. The event is open to the public. An RSVP is appreciated at 207-564-7533.

Great fun, food, presents and people were part of the Dexter Book Club's "Second Day of Christmas" party at the Abbott Memorial Library on Dec. 26.

Northern Light Health is not paying a fee to acquire Mayo from the 13 towns that collectively own the institution -- that’s one of the arguments in a new lawsuit seeking to block the deal. But supporters of the merger have said that it will nonetheless provide something for the people who use Mayo Regional Hospital and its affiliated practices: the weight of a larger health care organization. 

The First Day Hike at Lily Bay State Park will be from noon to 3 p.m. on Jan. 1 with free park admission for participants. The park is on State Park Rd., Beaver Cove, Greenville (Lat 45.568853, Lon -69.538450); meet at the entry booth parking lot (Rte. 15/6 to Lily Bay Rd. to State Park Rd.).

Growing Through Grief is one of Pine Tree Hospice’s bereavement programs for adults. The Growing Through Grief program begins with a facilitated grief support group which is then followed by a presentation or workshop.

Upcoming events around the region.

Seventy five beautiful parrots and one emu will celebrate the holidays at a free open house from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday Dec. 28 at Siesta Sanctuary. No snow date -- if you can travel safely, we're here.

The following are the 20 winners in the SeDoMoCha Middle School Builders Club’s annual Miracle Tree Event held earlier in the month at The Commons at Central Hall:

Early on the morning of Dec. 21, Dexter Regional High School student government and Key Club members, along with several Dexter Sunrise Kiwanis members, gathered at P&L Country Market to assemble and wrap 55 Christmas food boxes to be given to area families.

The honorees are Hayden Jones, kindergarten; Libby Yeo, grade 1; Aurora Youngblood, grade 2; Kaylyn Ryder, grade 3; Annabelle Turgeon, grade 4; Ella Annis, elementary unified arts; Maddox Weidman, grade 5; Alexis Burdin, grade 6; Shayli Cirulli, grade 7; Lily Smith, grade 8; and Chloe Strout and Kenadie Strout, middle school unified arts.

Earlier this month the executive committee of the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council (PCEDC) announced the resignation of Executive Director Christopher Winstead, who after joining the council in 2015 has accepted the new position of director of workforce development at Eastern Maine Community College. The Piscataquis County Commissioners learned more from Winstead during a Dec. 17 meeting.

Ann Mailloux, right of Dover-Foxcroft pictured with Piscataqius Observer Customer Service Represenative Jeannette Hughes, is the winner of the 2019 Find the Shop Local Tree Contest.

Upcoming events around the region.

Eleven members of the General Federation of Women’s (GFWC)/Miosac Club attended a Christmas party at the beautifully decorated home of Barb Austin. Members brought something sweet or savory to share.

With 37 people in attendance at Dexter Age-Friendly’s December Tea Talks, Wanita Grant answered the most Christmas trivia questions correctly to win a seasonal fresh-flower arrangement contributed by the Spring Street Greenhouse. Gratitude is extended by everyone on the Dexter Age-Friendly Committee to Susan LaFerriere and her team for the monthly floral donation.

He will retire Dec. 31 after 38 years on the bench, the last six as chief judge of the Superior Court. Cole became a District Court judge in 1981. He was elevated to the state’s trial court five years later, which makes him the longest serving Superior Court justice still on the bench and the second longest-serving judge in Maine after Supreme Judicial Court Justice Donald Alexander.