The author of a recent OpEd, “The 1950s were a wonderful decade,” states that “abortion was a rarity.” This is not true. According to the Guttamacher Intitute, in that decade illegal abortions are estimated to have numbered between 200,000 to 1 million each year.

For more than six months, the Maine Department of Transportation’s director of freight knew that a large portion of train track that runs through Maine was going to change hands. Recently news broke that one of the largest rail operators in North America would buy the 481 miles of track in Maine and Quebec run by Bangor-based Central Maine and Quebec Railway. The sale to Calgary, Alberta-based Canadian Pacific Railway is expected to close by the end of the year.

For two years Go Green has been helping the Earth. Go Green has a meeting and works on things to help the Earth. Last year Go Green grew potatoes big and small. This year Go Green started by planting plants.

Piscataquis County sets aside a day or two in early December to celebrate the wonder of Christmas and the magic of the holiday season. This year Dover-Foxcroft, Greenville (on Saturday, Nov. 30) Guilford, Milo, Monson, Sebec and Dexter are participating.

Great expectations. Not the Dickens’ classic or its various adaptations but those high hopes we have for the holidays vs. the sometimes less than joyous reality. Whatever your beliefs, rituals, traditions -- peace on earth and joy to the world can be especially elusive when you’re trying to buy gifts on a tight budget, go to everyone’s concert, party or special event much less plan and pull off Christmas dinner. Crazy schedules can dissipate the spirit of the season. December at the Thompson Free Library can help you recapture that spirit, catch your breath, and engage your mind.

Five high school golfers from the region earned postseason Penobscot Valley Conference recognition.

The first quarter or trimester of the school year has come and gone, and the autumn has clearly given way to the winter. Clocks have been turned back, the daylight hours have become shorter, and people across Maine and New England are preparing for what is sure to be an impressive season of snow and cold.

Fifteen Maine school staff members had the opportunity to take to the skies Nov. 14 in a UH-60 Blackhawk as part of an educator lift hosted by the Maine Army National Guard. Educators from the Tri-County Technical Center in Dexter and Foxcroft Academy were among the participants.

The winner of this years’ Dexter Sunrise Kiwanis Club fall raffle is Frank Reynolds. He chose the cash prize of $1,200 and Reynolds was presented a check at the Nov. 22 Kiwanis meeting. Ron Apel has chaired the raffle committee for several years and he was congratulated for a job well done.

Girl Scouts of Maine announces that it will host a new member sign-up event for potential members and volunteers at 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 2 at the SeDoMoCha Elementary School.