With so many snowshoe designs out there, selecting a pair to purchase for yourself or as a gift for someone can seem like a daunting task. To help, we reached out to experts at local outfitters for some tips. Here’s what they had to say.

Just in time for a holiday outing, the beloved Louisa May Alcott class, “Little Women” comes to the Center Theatre stage as a musical adaptation. Written 150 years ago, the tale of sisters Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy March is generating extra buzz this year, both because of the anniversary and because the new movie of the same name debuts this month.

The Commons at Central Hall will be kicking off the New Year with an 1980s-themed dance party in the stunning Event Center. The event will start at 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31, and will feature the elegant 1980s DJ dance mixes of Absolution Bangor.

In Piscataquis County a blood drive will be held at Holy Family Parish, 145 Pritham Avenue, in Greenville from 1-5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12 and at the Milo Town Hall, 6 Pleasant Street, from 1-5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 26.

When the former Guilford Primary building went up for sale last summer, the organization operating a fitness center at that location decided it was time to act.

There will be a meeting of the Piscataquis County Republican Committee on Friday, Dec. 13 at the Mayo Regional Hospital Resource Center. The meeting begins at 7 p.m.

The Commons at Central Hall has been selected as one of three sites in Maine to oversee a new program aimed at improving the quality of care for older adults diagnosed with dementia. The Northern New England Network, the Tri-State Learning Collaborative on Aging and national healthcare consulting company, Qualidigm, brought together key leaders within nine communities (three per state) across northern New England to work together to identify and share successful approaches, models and supports that can improve the health, care and care coordination of community-dwelling older adults diagnosed with dementia, as well as their care partners.

A former technology storage area off the SeDoMoCha Middle School art classroom is now a space for students to try their hand at metalworking and plans are being made for area residents to learn new skills through adult education offerings at the site. Following two years of planning and construction, with contributions from many community partners, the metalworking studio is now fully equipped after initially opening last year.

The Moosehead Community Choir, directed by George Wiese, will perform its Sounds of the Season concert at three locations Dec. 13-15. Performances are at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13 at the Union Church in Greenville, 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14 at the Guilford United Methodist Church and 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 15 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Greenville. Admission is by donation.

Upcoming events around the region.

The executive committee of the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council (PCEDC) is saddened to announce the resignation of Executive Director Christopher Winstead. On Dec. 4 Winstead notified the board of the PCEDC that he has accepted a position with Eastern Maine Community College. Winstead joined PCEDC in 2015, and served as executive director.

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, chairman of the Housing Appropriations Subcommittee, announced that Western Maine Community Action and Penquis will receive a combined total of $130,814 to support efforts to develop and preserve affordable housing and supportive services for persons with disabilities in Franklin, Penobscot, Piscataquis and Knox counties.

Dexter Regional High School is proud to announce that the following pupils have been selected by the faculty as "Students of the Month" for October -- grade 9: Emma Alexander; grade 10: Caitlyn Chabot; grade 11: Jylian Lupo; and grade 12: Logan Perkins.

Dexter Regional High School is proud to announce that the following pupils have been selected by the faculty as "Students of the Month" for September -- grade 9: Payson Reinhardt; grade 10: Molly Bennett; grade 11: Lilah McCormack; and grade 12: Rachael Sickles.

The Hon. Kevin Stitham of Dover-Foxcroft has been nominated for reappointment to the Maine District Court for his fourth term. The Hon. Stitham was first sworn in on Sept. 2, 1998 and previously practiced law in Piscataquis County for over 20 years.

For both Dan and Karen Cashman, childhood revolved around books. With mothers who were librarians, they were each exposed to reading at an early age. They devoured timeless favorites like Ramona Quimby and the Berenstain Bears as well as authors like Roald Dahl.

The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a women’s service organization whose members can trace their lineage to an individual who contributed to securing American independence during the Revolutionary War. More than one million total members have now joined the organization since its founding in 1890.

Sen. Paul Davis, R-Sangerville has announced his bid for reelection in Senate District 4.