On Wednesday, Sept. 4 Foxcroft Academy will host its annual fall open house, a chance for all students and their families to see the school and get to know their teachers. In conjunction with the night, counseling services will host the fourth annual postgraduate fair (for grades 9-12) and a senior information session to follow for students and their parents/guardians.

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.

Upcoming events around the region.

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.

Maine Highlands Federal Credit Union congratulates Chris Gosselin, winner of a 65-inch UHD Smart TV that was raffled to benefit Ending Hunger. Over $1,600.00 was raised to benefit Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger.

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.

Each year, the Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District recognizes and honors a cooperator (land manager) in Piscataquis County who has implemented exceptional conservation practices on their land. This year, the PCSWCD will be honoring Joel and Wendy Huff of Huff Family Farm as the 2019 Outstanding Cooperator of the Year.

With students’ summer vacation nearing an end in several weeks, work continues on an upgrade to the heating system at the Penquis Valley School as well as an elevator installation for the building.

One year after announcing new President & CEO Lee Umphrey, EMDC (Eastern Maine Development Corporation) continues to evolve with a brand refresh and new website at https://www.emdc.org/.

The Mid-Maine Duplicate Bridge Club played on Aug. 12 at the Guilford Memorial Library with the following results: first place, Jennifer and Glenn Rogers of Bowerbank; second, Dennis Patterson of Abbot and Mary Canning of Dexter; and third, Herb Greenberg and Jim Greeley of Dexter.

Blood drives will be held in the region, on Friday, Aug. 23 from noon to 5 p.m. at Mayo Regional Hospital, 897 West Main Street, in Dover-Foxcroft and Friday, Aug. 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Greenville American Legion, 218 Pritham Avenue.

Longtime Dexter Regional High School teacher and coach Peter Murray was recognized through the Boston Red Sox’s Most Valuable Educator program during a recent home-plate ceremony at Fenway Park. Educators around New England are nominated by students from their school as someone who makes an effort to ensure that every child has the benefit of a great school.

The Dover and Foxcroft Water District was recognized by the Maine Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Standards for its safe and healthful workplace with a Safety and Health Award for Public Employees (SHAPE) Award. The honor was presented by department officials during the monthly district trustees meeting on Aug. 12 at the district office inside the Morton Avenue Municipal Building.

This summer area Democrats undertook a “Write On” service project and collected 3,486 pencils for SAD 41 schools. Pencils came in from different areas of Maine as well as North Carolina and Washington.

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.

Upcoming events around the region.

Every five years the town of Bowerbank celebrates community with Bowerbank Days, held Aug. 9-10 in 2019 with a mid-morning parade on Saturday as the procession traveled down the Bowerbank Road past the town hall and fire station.