The free summer meal program is up and running at the SeDoMoCha School for the fifth summer. It began the day after school got out and had its official kickoff on June 23.

Established by Maine voters in 1987, the Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) program celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. This successful program awards money from voter-approved bonds to worthy projects that have been ranked and vetted in a rigorous public process.

The Center Theatre, Slightly Off-Center Players, and Center Coffee House will host a paint and sip event at the Center Theatre from 3 to 6 p.m., on Saturday, July 8. The event, which will raise money for live theatrical events at the Center Theatre, is for people of all ages and all abilities who want to gather together with an experienced painter, to practice and enhance their painting skills.

On Saturday, July 15 at 11 a.m. the Monson Historical Society is pleased to have as a guest speaker Craig Denekas, president and CEO of the Libra Foundation. The Libra Foundation has been investing heavily in Monson and Piscataquis County and Denekas will provide an update on the progress to date and future plans.

Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) volunteers, staff, supporters, and local contractors gathered June 24 for a celebratory barbecue in appreciation of the work done by local contractors on the rebuilding of AMC’s Medawisla Lodge and Cabins near Kokadjo.

Join us for the 11th annual Thoreau-Wabanaki Trail Festival July 12–15 at the Center for Moosehead History. The festival is a celebration of the Maine Woods and commemorates the history of the Wabanaki people and poet, philosopher, and naturalist Henry David Thoreau’s three trips into the Maine Woods.

Summer calendar of events

Fourth of July events are scheduled for Dexter, Greenville/Rockwood and Sebec.

Ed and Arlene Jewett, founders of Jewett Construction Inc. and part-time Greenville residents, have made a very gracious challenge donation toward the reconstruction of a replica of the old Big Moose (formerly Squaw) Mountain fire watchman’s cabin. The new cabin will be built next to the recently finished Big Moose fire tower at the Natural Resource Education Center (NREC) Visitors’ Center.

Members of Pirate Rec accepted a donation from the Abner Wade Lodge #207 A.F. & A.M. to help with the construction of the Sangerville Veterans Memorial Park project in Sangerville.

On June 17 Sarah Elizabeth Palmer Tent #23, Daughters of Union Veterans and Daniel Chaplain Camp #3, Sons of Union Veterans held a joint ceremony to honor four Civil War soldiers who are buried at the Rural Grove Cemetery.

The Center Theatre has announced the schedule for the 2017 Maine Whoopie Pie Festival being held on Saturday, June 24 in downtown Dover-Foxcroft. The festival opens at 10 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m. with bakers from across the state sharing Maine’s official state treat with over 8,000 whoopie pie fans. The full schedule and information about the festival can be found at www.MaineWhoopiePieFestival.com.

The arts came to life at Piscataquis Community Elementary School (PCES) during a day that more than one student describes as “the best day of school ever.” Principal Anita Wright describes Arts Alive as “a day that clearly demonstrates why we have the word ‘community’ in our school name.”

Window Dressers may sound like a home decorating business, but it is a volunteer-powered organization that builds low-cost window inserts to help keep people warm and save money on heating bills during Maine winters.

This summer one may see kids carrying “passports” around Dover-Foxcroft. The Piscataquis Passport encourages kids to have free summer meals as well as enjoy other activities in the community. Sign-up for the Passport will be at SeDoMoCha School on Thursday, June 22 and Friday, June 23 from 11 a.m. to noon.

The Piscataquis County Retired Educators Association met at the Bear's Den May 23 with 12 members present.

On Monday, June 19 please join the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council (PCEDC) for our summer quarterly meeting at the newly completed Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) Medawisla Lodge located northeast of Greenville.

Calendar of upcoming events