Girl Scouts of Maine announces that it will host a new member sign-up event at 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 7 at the SeDoMoCha School.

In 1820 Maine became the 23rd state, separating from Massachusetts, and the Grand Lodge of Masons in Maine was established. The first Governor of the State of Maine, William King, was also the first Grand Master of Masons in Maine. In recognition and celebration of these historic events Chris Russell, District Deputy Grand Master of Maine’s 5th Masonic District, has organized a celebration for Saturday, Oct. 5 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Piscataquis Valley Fairgrounds.

The United Way of Eastern Maine invites the public to a Fall Day of Caring at the Piscataquis Regional Food Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 4. Those taking part will spruce up the grounds to help create a welcoming space for people receiving food assistance.

On Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 1 p.m. at The Commons at Central Hall, “The Effect of Toxicity on Mental Health and Cognitive Decline and How to Overcome It” will be presented by NAMI Piscataquis County. This video will examine the extent of the toxicity problem today and share the natural and safe ways to detoxify your body to improve your mental and overall health. This program is free and open to anyone interested in the topic.

The nine newest Students of the Month at PCES are fifth-graders Chase Lander and Haylee Marshall, Violet Bolduc and Caleb McKusick representing grade 6; grade 7 students Shyann Dever and Devan Pelkey; and eighth-graders Dominic Cookson, Chy-Leigh Duncan and Emily Easler.

A company that spent years trying to bring two resorts, 1,000 second home lots, a golf course and other tourist attractions to the Moosehead Lake region appears to have finally given up on those efforts amid economic challenges that started with the Great Recession.

We walk around with a computer in our back pocket. We have answers to almost any question, almost instantly. Information is literally at our fingertips. But what’s missing? Human interaction. The small moments. This October, the Thompson Free Library in offers so many ways to interact and connect, to be heard and to listen -- and to have fun.

On Thursday, Oct. 10 from 10 until 11:30 a.m. the Dexter Age-Friendly Community Committee will hold its first "Tea Talks" session at the "Gathering 4 Main Street" community center at 4 Main Street.

Now located in The Mill complex, for the last decade Dental Hygiene Associates of Maine, LLC has been providing the community with affordable, quality preventative dental care for all ages in a non-traditional setting. The "spa-like" dental oasis is intended to ease dental anxiety through a relaxing, cozy office.

The flower urn was presented to the town in 1929 in memory of the G.A.R. Restored by Tina Santos of Dexter it has stood at the foot of Dexter’s Civil War monument for 90 years.

Since opening more than a year ago, Head to Tails Family Pet Store proprietor Liz Martin has worked to provide local pet owners with all their needed supplies, saving them a trip out of town, and potential pet owners with additions to their homes. Fish, reptiles, small mammals and birds are available and with all the necessary educational information to ensure everyone is happy after leaving the store.

Peter M. Smith, president of the Maine Genealogical Society, will be the featured speaker at the Sunday, Oct. 6 meeting of the Wassebec Genealogical Society, to be held at 2 p.m. in the Piscataquis Room at Mayo Regional Hospital.

Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis Charities announces that the Kiwanis Park pond, directly adjacent to the Piscataquis Regional YMCA, has been stocked with trout for the month of October for the fishing pleasure of ages 15 and under.

Upcoming events around the region.

Say “Highlands” and people often think bagpipes, kilts, clans, castles and the rugged green hills of northwestern Scotland.

The winners have been announced for a recipe challenge that encouraged Mainers to put their cooking skills to the test while helping parish food ministries in the process.

The Dover Low Vision Group will meet at the Thayer Parkway Community Room, 33 Thayer Parkway, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 4. We will discuss plans for the White Cane Walk.

More than 20 students in the younger grades at Piscataquis Community Elementary School are now HEROs for their outstanding conduct during the first few weeks of the new school year. The HERO honorees were recognized with the presentation of certificates during the elementary morning meeting on Friday, Sept. 20.