Congratulations, dear reader. Using my reality bending power to create alternative universes, I have now conjured a world in which you are reading this column in the Blaine House, and you are the governor of Maine. Everything else is the same. Same history. Same first year in office. Same COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the globe. The only difference is that now you are in the unfortunate position of having to make decisions.

President Donald Trump has made it clear – science or not – that he wants to quickly end the physical distancing requirements that are being used to slow the spread of COVID-19. And that he – alone – has the power to do it. Governors, including Maine Gov. Janet Mills among many others, are taking a much more cautious, science-and-public-health-first approach about ending orders that are keeping people at home

The club’s Prevent Child Abuse America Chairman Minnie McCormick thought spinning pinwheels might brighten some spirits so she decided to take the old ones and put them on her lawn in Dover-Foxcroft.

As expected, the popularity of eight-player football will continue to transform the Maine high school landscape for the 2020 season. The Maine Principals’ Association has approved several proposed football classification changes, including two divisions to accomodate 26 eight-player teams. That’s an increase of 16 programs from the state’s implementation of the alternative format last year.

That effort received a boost this month as The Commons was one of five historic Maine buildings -- two in Dover-Foxcroft --  to receive a Northeast Heritage Economy Program grant to continue the restoration of the 138-year-old edifice.

Full Plates Full Potential, Maine’s only statewide child hunger organization is proud to announce the Piscataquis County 2019 16 County Summer Grant Competition winner. The town of Milo will receive a $500 Summer Meals Program Grant to support the 2020 summer program.

Maine's annual moose permit lottery, which was to have been staged live in front of a large crowd in Jackman in June, has been switched to a 'virtual' format instead due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Fr. Aaron Damboise will offer the sacrament of reconciliation in a drive-through format at Holy Family Church, 145 Pritham Avenue, at 3 p.m. on Saturdays. 

Luckily, all of us can ease the pressure on our planet by filling our grocery bags — whatever they are made of — with delicious, healthy vegan foods. Researchers have found that animal-derived substances have carbon footprints two to 20 times larger than vegan foods.

The U.S. Census Bureau would like to remind parents and families who are staying at home amid the COVID-19 crisis to remember that the 2020 Census is here, and it is important to count their children.