By Mike LangeStaff Writer     DEXTER — With 41 years in education, Patrick O’Neill knows the challenges of balancing a strong curriculum with available funding.

Staff Report     GREENVILLE — After a lengthy discussion among selectmen, the town manager and members of the public, the Greenville Board of Selectmen voted on Dec.

THE DARK SIDE AND DARK KNIGHT OF GINGERBREAD Observer photos/Stuart Hedstrom      As part of a unit involving gingerbread, kindergarteners in the four classes at SeDoMoCha Elementary School in Dover-Foxcroft took home a gingerbread figure to disguise however the students and parents chose.

GINGERBREAD POPULATION Observer photos/Stuart Hedstrom      SeDoMoCha Elementary students brought home a gingerbread figure they then disguised with their parents as part of a unit involving gingerbread — such as reading stories about gingerbread men and playing instruments during music lessons involving gingerbread men tales.

    DEXTER — Jack Does That, the locally based hour-exchange organization, will be the featured topic at the monthly Dexter Dover Area Towns in Transition (DDATT) meeting on Friday, Jan 10 (Jan.

    DOVER-FOXCROFT — Chief Justice Leigh I.

MAKING MUSIC TOGETHER Photo courtesy of Brownville Elementary      The PTO helped Brownville Elementary bring Maine childrens’ singer Rick Charette to the school for a holiday concert before vacation.

    DEXTER — Students in the Ridge View Community School’s Cooking Matters teens class were put to the test on Dec.

    DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Audubon Christmas Bird Count will be held in the Dover-Foxcroft area on Monday, Dec.

SCOUT-MADE WREATHS Photo courtesy of Nancy McCloskey/Cub Scout Pack 61      The Bear’s Den from Sangerville’s Cub Scout Pack 61 proudly show off the Christmas wreaths they made at their recent den meeting.

FRESH FROM FLORIDA Contributed photo Every fall the Dexter Sunrise Kiwanis Club sells Florida oranges and grapefruit as a fundraiser to support its projects.

    DOVER-FOXCROFT — USDA Rural Development State Director Virginia Manuel has announced that Penquis Mental Health Association has been selected to receive a $180,000 Community Facility Direct Loan.

    MILO — The Piscataquis Public Health Council will be holding a supermarket tour to show area families how to make healthy choices at the store on a limited budget.

By Mike LangeStaff Writer     GUILFORD — Piscataquis County revelers don’t have to drive to Bangor to see a New Year’s Eve ball drop this year.

    DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis Club morning meeting falls on Tuesday, Dec 31 at 6:30 a.

The students and staff at the Brownville Elementary School are in the middle of their annual food drive for the local food cupboard.

By Mike LangeStaff Writer     DEXTER — A Corinna businessman, who recently converted two portable classrooms into apartment duplexes, is now seeking tenants for the former Dexter middle/elementary school buildings on his property.

    DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Tractor Supply Company (TSC) store in Dover-Foxcroft was recently recognized with two awards for its outstanding performance during this year’s 4-H/TSC Paper Clover Campaign.