Monson Arts announced that it will partner with the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) to support two month-long design residencies for RISD graduates this summer at its facility in Monson. This initiative will bring two to four industrial or furniture designers to the Piscataquis County community once widely known for furniture manufacturing.

The Dover-Foxcroft Firefighters Association’s eighth annual ice fishing derby returns on Saturday, March 2 and Sunday, March 3 at Sebec Lake with the weigh-in station open during the day at Greeley’s Landing

The new group beginning in March will be held on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month in Dover-Foxcroft. Participants in the group need not have utilized other Pine Tree Hospice services; the facilitated group is for adults in the community who are experiencing grief due to a death. Please call 564-4346 for more information and to schedule a visit or register for this group.

On Sunday, March 3 at 2 p.m. in the Piscataquis Room at Mayo Regional Hospital, the Wassabec Genealogy Society will be hosting a program by John Battick on tracing your immigrant ancestors. The public is welcome to attend and refreshments will be provided.

The General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) Miosac Club is conducting its 2019 Sebec Lake Ice Out Contest for the 43rd consecutive year. Tickets may be purchased from any club member through March 31. Monies raised will be used to maintain a variety of club projects in the Dover-Foxcroft area. The person who guesses the closest date and time the ice will go out of the Narrows at Sebec Lake will receive a $100 check.

The following births were recorded recently at Mayo Regional Hospital in Dover-Foxcroft

Ashley Bussell of Greenville received the third-place award at the 2019 American Legion State Oratorical Contest at Thomas College in Waterville Feb. 9.

One of my favorite techniques for fish collection is using our fish weir. I’d like to say it was a new idea, but Roger AuClair, the first regional fisheries biologist in the Moosehead Lake area, built a wooden weir on Socatean Stream in 1957-58. It was our desire to duplicate his work some 50 years later that led to the design and fabrication of our new steel picket weir.

In February, the PRYMCA will begin new session of Water Wellness. This effective program is suitable for members of the community who have arthritis, joint replacements, fibromyalgia, or other neuromuscular complications. Participants are led through a series of warm-water exercises designed to help reduce pain and inflammation and promote increased flexibility and strength.

The Center Theatre will be hosting Foxcroft Academy and Piscataquis Regional High School for two nights as students present their one-act plays before going to the regional one-act play competition. The plays will be performed on Friday, March 1 and Saturday, March 2 at 7 p.m., admission will be by donation.

On Saturday, March 2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. PRFC is hosting the first annual Winter Carnival, a family-fun event to include carnival-style games, snow art “canvases,” and human foosball. The event will be held at the Piscataquis Valley Fairgrounds, where a custom arena is being built to accommodate both a foosball tournament for teams as well as a $1 pay-to-play time for the community.

Dexter Dover Area Towns in Transition (DDATT) will host its regular monthly free film and discussion night on from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, March 1 (the First Friday) at the Abbott Memorial Library.

Upcoming events around the region.

The discussion was part of a project funded by the Maine Humanities Council which will also include a free showing of the movie of the same name at the Center Theatre at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 27.

Mayo Regional Hospital launches its inaugural employee ski day at Big Squaw Mountain in Greenville Junction on Saturday, Feb. 23. In an ongoing effort to encourage staff and community health and fitness, Mayo Regional Hospital is sponsoring a day of free skiing for Mayo employees and their families. “Get out and Get Active” is this year’s theme.

The Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District (PCSWCD) will be hosting an introduction to Permaculture and discussion at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5 at the Thompson Free Library.

Even though the snow keeps falling, we are starting to see and hear the signs of springtime! Now is the time to plan ahead for your orchards, gardens, and natural landscape. The Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District Tree and Plant Sale pre-order deadline is Wednesday, Feb. 27, with pickup from April 29 through May 3.

Richard Gurney of Rockwood maintains a bait pile on Brassua Lake that he allows local friends to use, whether they choose to hunt coyotes over it, or just sit and take photos of the scavenging animals that visit for a snack.