The bottom line is this: At a critical time in Maine’s deer recovery the state has ostensibly been without a seasoned, experienced deer research leader for far too long. It’s a typical bureaucratic situation: sudden departure, slow replacement.

The Maine Red Hot Festival will be back in downtown Dexter on Saturday, Aug. 12 as the second annual event will feature activities, with free admission, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. -- rain or shine.

The 26th annual Maine Forest Heritage Days is set to take place Aug. 10-13. The weekend includes a bus tour through Maine’s working forest, a craft fair, carriage rides, chainsaw carving, a “Roaring Twenties” cruise aboard the Katahdin, a woodsman demonstration featuring chopping and ax throwing, and the regional Game of Logging competition.

August calendar of events

Charles A. Dean Memorial Hospital invites the community to join in a celebration of 100 years of caring on Saturday, Aug. 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the hospital located at 364 Pritham Avenue.

Dexter Dover Area Towns in Transition’s (DDATT) Aug. 4 First Friday public discussion at the Abbott Memorial Library featured local grower and herbalist Linda Tisdale, owner of Alchemilla Herbal Apothecary. Over two dozen area people learned and shared knowledge of the many foods, flavors, and medicines that surround us.

The Center Theatre will be presenting the hilarious musical comedy “Nunsense” starting on Friday, Aug. 11. The show will be performed the weekends of Aug. 11 and 18 at the Center Theatre and then, for the first time, the theatre will be bringing the show to Greenville High School for two performances on Saturday, Aug. 26.

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

August calendar of events

Siesta Sanctuary will host an open house from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug 12 and Sunday, Aug. 13. Over 80 parrots are looking forward to talking, playing, and admiring visitors, too. The event has free admission, parrot feathers, games, a treasure hunt, and a donation table.

Tara McLaughlin of Brownville earned first-place honors in the Milo Historical Society's fourth annual art show with her winning painting "Lupine."

Reminders of “back to school” and autumn bombard us, in stores and online, signaling the dog days of summer are ending. But don’t bury your head in the sand, take advantage of the interesting, informative, and entertaining programs at the Thompson Free Library.

The Brownville–Brownville Junction Historical Society and Parish House Museum volunteers would like to thank all who contributed photos, negatives and offered artwork for use as a basis for the book cover contest announced last month.

Dover-Foxcroft Town Manager Jack Clukey thought it would be a good idea to get businesses more involved in the milestone anniversary as 95 years ago this summer the towns of Dover and Foxcroft became one.

The auction/open house at Central Hall is part of the Dover-Foxcroft Shiretown Homecoming on Aug. 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Partners for Peace, the domestic violence resource center formerly known as Spruce Run-Womancare Alliance, will provide an art-based support group for anyone affected by domestic abuse or violence. The group will meet at the Partners for Peace Mechanic Street office starting on Tuesday, Aug. 1 from 1–3 p.m. for four consecutive weeks.

Emily Curtis, a senior at Foxcroft Academy, recently published her first poetry collection, “in the absence of the sun.” Curtis, a student-athlete involved in field hockey, swim, and tennis as well as Key Club, National Honor Society, and Student Council, decided to share another of her talents, one that she has kept hidden -- until now.

The third annual Kiwanis Cruise-In will take place on Saturday, Aug. 5 (rain date is Aug. 6) from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at the Ridge View Community School.