This week I had a great discussion up at Blair Hill Inn and Restaurant in Greenville with business owners, residents, development leaders and local lawmakers. We focused on ideas and strategies for economic growth in rural Maine, particularly Western Maine.

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

Elementary and fifth-graders brought in food for Thanksgiving boxes for families in the community, and middle school students raised pledges in order to fund other items for the Thanksgiving boxes such as turkey, cooking supplies, gravy and anything else needed.

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.

Upcoming events around the region.

Upcoming sporting events around the region.

Ah winter… It’s on the way for sure. The north winds have been blowing, hardwood trees are practically leafless, and Mother Nature’s gift of snow has already made an appearance. In this part of Maine thoughts are turning to winter pastimes like skiing, snowshoeing and of course, snowmobiling.

There are currently 17 candidates running for the Democratic nomination for president in 2020, and there seems to be a little something for everyone?

Members of the Maine Legislature, judges and the governor deserve a raise -- not because they’re all great at their job, though many are, but because they are woefully underpaid for the difficult work that they do.