“Did the last bear referendum affect you in any way personally?” she asked. That question was unexpected. It caught me off guard. A good question, though. It took me back in time to the highly-charged bear referendum, when Maine voters decided the fate of recreational bear hunting as we know it.

When Amy Bagley Lake and her two children were killed by her estranged husband when he was out on bail in 2011 in Dexter, friends, family, co-workers and people across Maine dedicated themselves to trying to prevent such a tragedy from happening to others. By organizing and participating in an annual 5K race, they raised tens of thousands of dollars intended for the purchase of devices that could alert victims and police when alleged domestic violence offenders illegally showed up at the victims’ homes, schools or workplaces.

Local chapters of the National Honor Society.

Many Americans are fascinated by British royalty, following the romances, marriages, childbirths, divorces and the gowns and jewels. We may be the citizens of a democracy but we seem hypnotized by the bluebloods of Europe.

On Wednesday, June 12 at 6 p.m. the Abbott Memorial Library in Dexter will be presenting a recent film based on the life of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

On the evening of Friday, May 31 visual and performing arts students of Piscataquis Community High School in Guilford presented their second annual combined Arts Cabaret. This year’s theme was “An Ocean Odyssey.”

The Center Coffee House held its fifth annual Jacked Up 5K on the morning of Saturday, June 1 along 3.1 miles of River and Essex streets and the Vaughn Road. through town.

The Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District (PCSWCD) has opened registration for the third session in the popular “Families in the Outdoors series, Garden Fun!” This event will take place at the Law Farm in Dover-Foxcroft on Friday, June 21 from 9 a.m. to noon, with a rain date of June 28 at the same time. Registration is required.

Crystal Ward was the guest speaker at the Piscataquis County Retired Educators Association meeting May 29 at the Our FAMBily Restaurant in Dexter. She presented a lively and informative session regarding current bills being discussed in the Maine Legislature.

The summer food service program, sponsored by the RSU 68 food service program, returns this year from mid-June to mid-August at the SeDoMoCha School -- 63 Harrison Avenue. All children under 18 are welcome for free breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday with breakfast served from 8-9 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to noon. All meals must be eaten on site, and no application is needed.