Maine’s woods are full of mysteries, large and small. Sometimes, those of us who spend time afield might not recognize all of the mysterious goings-on around us. At other times -- like when there’s a fresh coating of snow on the ground -- the evidence is much more clear.

Rep. Norman Higgins, I-Dover-Foxcroft announces his candidacy for a fourth term in the Maine Legislature.

I remember early in my career Roger AuClair, the regional fisheries biologist for the Moosehead Lake region at that time, told us a story about shore-spawning brook trout in the big lake. Roger knew a gentleman from Rockwood that was a caretaker for some camps, and he was also a trapper.

I recently received two emails from readers looking for great places to snowshoe in Maine. They were looking for trail suggestions, and boy did I have a lot to say. Too much to say, really. So I decided to write a whole advice column on the topic.

Welcome, friends, to the new year. And, welcome to the 200th year of Maine's existence. Our state has a very proud heritage, particularly given the nature of its official beginning. Maine was admitted as a "free state" to balance the admission of Missouri, which was being added as a "slave state."

The longer President Donald Trump talks, the more lies he tells. And now, at a time when the world may be teetering on the brink of war, the president and the U.S. are paying the price.

Upcoming events around the region.

The Dover-Foxcroft United Methodist Church “Pay It Forward” thrift shop is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the second and third Wednesdays of the month in conjunction with WIC. The shop is located on the second floor of the church.

Students from the Brownville Elementary School are participating in the WinterKids Winter Games in January. Students compete in a four-week series of outdoor physical activity and nutrition challenges designed to help them be active in the winter and learn healthy habits.  Each school is encouraged to involve volunteers, parents, healthy eating and active living organizations in their community and hold a winter carnival to close out the month’s events.

Tisbury Manor Chapter NSDAR, based in Monson, has welcomed 111 members since the chapter began on Nov. 14, 1952. Tisbury Manor is excited to join the National Society in celebrating this milestone by spotlighting members of the chapter through the years.