Great fun, food, presents and people were part of the Dexter Book Club's "Second Day of Christmas" party at the Abbott Memorial Library on Dec. 26.

Northern Light Health is not paying a fee to acquire Mayo from the 13 towns that collectively own the institution -- that’s one of the arguments in a new lawsuit seeking to block the deal. But supporters of the merger have said that it will nonetheless provide something for the people who use Mayo Regional Hospital and its affiliated practices: the weight of a larger health care organization. 

Visiting Baxter State Park in the winter takes extra planning. The main road that leads into the park is unplowed and therefore closed to vehicles. Plus the cold, wet conditions of winter in Maine add more risk to any outdoor adventure. But the sight of Katahdin and surrounding mountains cloaked in snow makes the planning worth the effort.

The First Day Hike at Lily Bay State Park will be from noon to 3 p.m. on Jan. 1 with free park admission for participants. The park is on State Park Rd., Beaver Cove, Greenville (Lat 45.568853, Lon -69.538450); meet at the entry booth parking lot (Rte. 15/6 to Lily Bay Rd. to State Park Rd.).

Growing Through Grief is one of Pine Tree Hospice’s bereavement programs for adults. The Growing Through Grief program begins with a facilitated grief support group which is then followed by a presentation or workshop.

Upcoming events around the region.

Just two coaches have led the Dexter Regional High School boys basketball program since the current building the Tigers call home opened in 1968. Now each has more than 300 victories. Peter Murray joined his predecessor, the late Ed Guiski, in that club last Thursday with a 56-47 victory at Piscatquis Community High School of Guilford, extending a remarkable level of consistency within the program.

The Harmony man who allegedly shot at police and wounded a Waterville officer during a multi-town pursuit remains hospitalized with injuries, but a Maine State Police spokesman said Monday morning that no charges have been filed against him.

Last week’s cold snap covered many lakes and ponds in ice, but with the warming temperatures this week, the Maine Warden Service is urging people to use caution before venturing out onto any ice covering Maine’s waterways.

Families of Maine hunters will be eating plenty of venison this winter, as nearly 30,000 of those hunters successfully filled their tags. Nathan Bieber, the state deer biologist for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, said a total of 28,314 deer were tagged by hunters using bows and arrows, crossbows, rifles and muzzleloaders this year. That total is considered “preliminary,” and could be adjusted if new data becomes available.