A number of area residents were recognized at the county-wide Spirit of American Awards ceremony Nov. 15 at the Valley Grange in Guilford.

he Moosehead Lake Region Economic Development Corporation has kicked off Phase 2 of the Wayfinding Initiative. Four information kiosks have been installed to help visitors locate the major outdoor public attractions in the Moosehead Lake region.

First National Bank recently announced a $50,000 donation to Foxcroft Academy toward the capital campaign for the construction of a new fieldhouse. The $5.5 million fieldhouse project will provide dedicated space for student activities including field hockey, soccer, wrestling, track, baseball and softball as well as future community use of the facility

Dexter town officials have been working to retain and attract businesses to the community. One economic development tool available to Maine communities is tax increment financing (TIF) and during a Nov. 14 council meeting Town Manager Trampas King discussed what the community may be able to do.

This will be the 16th annual Thanksgiving dinner offered to the community, by the community. The meal is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28 at the Guilford United Methodist Church on the corner of North Main and School streets. Take out meals are available. Delivered meals and rides to the event are available.

The leader of Maine’s second largest health care system is leaving her post for a job at a prominent national lobbying organization for hospitals. Michelle Hood, president and CEO of Northern Light Health, announced Thursday that she has accepted a job as executive vice president and chief operating officer of the American Hospital Association.

State regulators have given preliminary support to a proposed merger of Mayo Regional Hospital in Dover-Foxcroft with Northern Light Health, the statewide health care system that includes Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor.

A municipal solar power project will not be located at the town airport at the Charles A. Chase Jr. Memorial Field on Pine Street. During a selectmen’s meeting Tuesday night in the Morton Avenue Municipal Building Gymnasium, the board passed a motion to focus on a solar project at an alternate site other than the airport.

Next Thursday, Nov. 21 the Anah Shriners open the doors at 1404 Broadway for the eighth annual Feztival of Trees. Over the next two weekends the Feztival of Trees will host thousands of guests to visit the 62 trees sponsored by generous local businesses.

After much consideration, Wilson saw an option he believed to be the most logical. The town of Guilford would retain the C.H. Lightbody Medical Building, relocate the municipal offices there and provide the existing town office space on School Street to the fire/EMS service already housed there. Wilson made the recommendation and the select board endorsed the decision.

The Maine Bicentennial Commission (Maine200) recently awarded the first round of Bicentennial Community Grants. Out of 44 applications from organizations and municipalities across the state, the commission chose a total of 30 grant recipients: 21 large grants and nine small grants at varying amounts. Among those are a Bicentennial Birthday Bash in Rockland, theatrical productions in Portland and Dover-Foxcroft, as well as conferences, educational curriculum, art exhibits, lecture series and more, spanning several Maine counties.

Two corporate foundation grants have catapulted the Moosehead Lake Region Economic Development Corporation’s campaign for a waterfront park in downtown Greenville over the $100,000 mark. Grants totaling $10,000 from both Machias Savings Bank and the Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund now bring the campaign total to $111,000 on the way toward the $250,000 fundraising goal.

Citing what they feel is a non-proportional expense and lack of benefits, the Piscataquis County Commissioners are considering ending membership in the Maine County Commissioners Association. The commissioners discussed the possibility during a Nov. 5 meeting and plan to attend a meeting with officials from other Maine counties also pondering an exit to learn more.

Here’s your chance to own a little piece of Baxter State Park. Historic signs from the park are up for bid in an annual online auction and fundraiser organized by the nonprofit organization Friends of Baxter State Park.

Anyone who suspects someone they know may be a victim of elder abuse or would like to know more about the topic and how to help is invited to a free elder abuse awareness and response workshop from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Friday, Nov. 15 at The Commons at Central Hall, 152 East Main Street.

For nearly a decade Will’s Shop ‘n Save has been a fixture in Dover-Foxcroft, as a downtown grocery store and through the numerous ways the business has given back to the community. During National Veteran Small Business Week leading up to Veterans Day, the establishment was recognized as a success story by the U.S. Small Business Administration during an afternoon presentation on Monday, Nov. 4.

Students and staff throughout the SeDoMoCha School have been busy bringing in items for community resident in need by gathering warm clothing accessories and raising funds for Thanksgiving meals.

Piscataquis County winners of the 2019 Spirit of America Foundation Tribute for outstanding community service will be honored at a ceremony on Friday, Nov. 15 starting at 7 p.m. at the Valley Grange Hall (172 Guilford Center Road). The event is open to the public.