Piscataquis Observer

Observer file photo/Stuart Hedstrom TRYING THEIR BEST TO STAY AFLOAT -- Over a half dozen groups of paddlers tried to traverse the Lake Hebron cove from the boat launch to the Lakeshore House dock during the 2018 Anything Floats Race during the annual Monson Summerfest. The “Blue Lightning” float ended up reaching the finish line first to claim top honors with the “Pirate Ship” coming in second and “Magic Carpet Ride” and the “Sunken Canoe” tying for third place. “False Trail” earned a ribbon for the most creative float and the Lakeshore House entrant earned most comical honors.

Observer file photo/Stuart Hedstrom TRYING THEIR BEST TO STAY AFLOAT -- Over a half dozen groups of paddlers tried to traverse the Lake Hebron cove from the boat launch to the Lakeshore House dock during the 2018 Anything Floats Race during the annual Monson Summerfest. The “Blue Lightning” float ended up reaching the finish line first to claim top honors with the “Pirate Ship” coming in second and “Magic Carpet Ride” and the “Sunken Canoe” tying for third place. “False Trail” earned a ribbon for the most creative float and the Lakeshore House entrant earned most comical honors.

Come join the fun! Monson Summerfest 2019

Monson’s annual Summerfest, on Saturday, July 20, is approaching fast and, according to organizer Dee Adams, this will be the best fest yet.

News Browse News

Milo house explosion nets couple $550,000 settlement from Dover-Foxcroft oil company

In the 11 months since their house in Milo exploded, Amanda and Ricky Badger have had to recover from their injuries, put their lives back together and deal with the explosion’s lasting impact. This week, they received a nearly $550,000 settlement to help.

Coyote control a hot topic in Maine

Recently Maine’s new fish and wildlife commissioner, Judy Camuso, was a studio guest on Maine Calling, an interactive radio program on the National Public Radio station in Portland. She performed well as she outlined the goals and challenges of the Department in the months ahead. The control of coyote populations in the North Woods by IF&W contractors, as well as recreational hunters, was a hot topic. There was a pronounced “urban bias” as some callers railed against coyote-population control as an institutionalized policy implemented by the Department.

Thoreau-Wabanaki Trail Festival set in Greenville July 24-26

The 13th Annual Thoreau-Wabanaki Trail Festival will take place July 24-26 on the shores of East Cove, downtown Greenville. Adventures begin at The Center for Moosehead History, 6 Lakeview St., on all three days. They range from a Thoreau-style guided hike up Little Moose Mountain to a Native American cultural workshop with directors from the Abbe Museum and the Penobscot Nation.

Mainers can save ticks and send them for testing after bite

The state of Maine is reminding residents that they can save ticks and send them for testing if they get bitten by the pesky arachnids. State officials say the testing can show whether the person bitten by the tick was exposed to anything. The UMaine Cooperative Extension Tick Lab tests for Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and babesia. The tests are $15 per tick for Maine residents.

Sports Browse Sports

File photo courtesy of Intersport HALL OF FAME COACH -- Foxcroft Academy boys soccer and wrestling coach Luis Ayala, who teaches health and physical education at the school, poses with U.S. Cellular Local Marketing and Brand Activation Manager Stacey York as Ayala was recognized as the U.S. Cellular Most Valuable Coach in January 2018 in Orlando. in August Ayala will be inducted into the Maine Amateur Wrestling Alliance Hall of Fame.

File photo courtesy of Intersport HALL OF FAME COACH -- Foxcroft Academy boys soccer and wrestling coach Luis Ayala, who teaches health and physical education at the school, poses with U.S. Cellular Local Marketing and Brand Activation Manager Stacey York as Ayala was recognized as the U.S. Cellular Most Valuable Coach in January 2018 in Orlando. in August Ayala will be inducted into the Maine Amateur Wrestling Alliance Hall of Fame.

Foxcroft Academy coach selected for Maine wrestling hall of fame

Luis Ayala, who has coached the Foxcroft Academy wrestling team to six state championships in 17 years, will be one of four new inductees into the Maine Amateur Wrestling Alliance (MAWA) Hall of Fame next month.

Road race news

On July 4 three area residents took part in the 39th annual Walter Hunt Memorial 4th of July 3K from Brewer to Bangor.

Anglers throw back ‘crap fish’ that might have been a record-breaker

Al Harris of Hampden and his brother-in-law, Joe Vachon of Toronto, spent a few days fishing together last week, landing an unlikely fish story in the process.

These Maine-made bats are being used at a MLB All-Star Game

Both will be prominent during this week’s All-Star Game festivities at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio, and both are using bats made in Maine.

Opinion Browse Opinion

In Truth? It’s Not Free

If I’m born with a right to free health care, who’s the guy born with the responsibility to pay for it? That question should be asked of all government services or programs. Other questions should be asked too. For example, what is the up side and bad side of government services or programs?

Column1 week ago

The spirit of indifference

Save for a few welcome exceptions, today’s political discourse at all levels is awful. From politicians to political staffers; political reporters and commentators across all media; political party communicators, activists, public policy non-profits — the bulk of all this messaging is negative, emotionally and physically draining, and culturally corrosive.

Column1 week ago

Some safeguards for a hospital in Dover-Foxcroft

My single proposed amendment to LD 1708 had nothing to do with “local control” but would have merely placed in statute some safeguards to ensure that standard fiduciary procedures were followed and that the citizens of the district would have an opportunity to keep a hospital in Dover-Foxcroft should something happen down the road.

Column1 week ago

Ross Perot changed American history

This week, H. Ross Perot, the enigmatic Texas billionaire, two-time presidential candidate and reform party founder, passed away at the age of 89.

Living Browse Living

Veterans assistance Wednesday at Milo post

The Milo American Legion, 18 West Main Street, will be open on Wednesday, July 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. to assist with veterans assistance (VA issues and other benefits).

Artful grief workshop for children

Pine Tree Hospice invites children ages 8 through 12 to explore an alternative to “talking through grief” in this free 90-minute workshop facilitated by Terri Kelley Palin a local artist, creative play coach and life stress reduction facilitator. No artistic skills are required.

Moosehead Lake needs water quality monitors

Water quality monitor training and certification will be held on Friday, Aug. 9 from 9 a.m. to noon on Wilson Pond. Snacks and beverages provided free of charge by Friends of Wilson Ponds.

After someone left out Doritos, Baxter State Park is seeing more bear activity

Baxter State Park was established with a goal of the land remaining “forever wild,” and one of the benefits of that focus is the wide variety of native animals a visitor might see on the park’s more than 200,000 acres. But one particular species -- the black bear -- has been a bit overly active this summer, prompting park officials to put a cautionary message up on its Facebook page.

Trail visitor center events

A hike to Little Wilson Falls will be Saturday, July 13 with a July 20 rain date. Meet at the Monson Appalachian Trail Visitor Center at 12:30 p.m. Advance registration is required.

Workcamp to provide Dexter residents with home repairs

Around 400 teenagers and adults will arrive in Dexter on Sunday, July 21 to work on and improve the homes of elderly, disabled and other area residents. The volunteers will work on various projects from July 22-26.