The launch of a new program that aims to put a book in the hands of every Maine first grader each month during the school year by 2025 was announced Aug. 22. Dirigo Reads is co-founded by Dan and Karen Cashman of Brewer and operationally supported by United Way of Eastern Maine. The mission of the program is to improve the health and wellbeing of children in Maine through literacy and share a little optimism along the way.

At this moment around the state, bear hunters and outfitters are erecting treestands and servicing their bait sites. The bear season opens officially the last week in August. Bears are about as plentiful as they have ever been. First-time bear hunters, and those they share their wild game with, invariably ask the question: “What does bear meat taste like?”

If the idea of a total makeover or a complete revamp seems overwhelming, why not aim for a small shift? Sometimes a well-timed, quick reboot will do the trick and is more convenient, fun, and can infuse daily life with a cool and interesting vibe. The Thompson Free Library in Dover-Foxcroft is just the spot to mix things up a little.

In June, Gov. Janet Mills proposed a package of bonds that amounted to a whopping $239 million in new debt for the state of Maine. On Monday, Mills called for a special session of the Legislature to vote on many of these bonds, highlighting the most popular and widely supported among them by emphasizing the transportation bonds.

Gov. Janet Mills has called the Legislature back into special session next week to consider a smart investment package that includes money for transportation, to boost the economy, to clean up pollution and for the Land for Maine’s Future program.

There have been few University of Maine teams with as many Maine natives on their rosters as the 2019 Black Bear field hockey team. There are nine Mainers, all from different high schools, among the 20 players on the roster (45 percent). Maine-produced players have served the program well over the years.

Miles of new trails specifically designed for mountain biking have opened in the Katahdin region this summer, with plans for more biking trails to be added over the next few years.

What a relief it is to hear about campaigns that take aim at price gouging by pharmaceutical companies! It is a long-standing problem that just seems to be getting worse. Many Mainers find it very difficult to afford the medications they need.

The Dover-Foxcroft Historical Society invites all to the Wednesday, Sept. 4 meeting to be held at 7 p.m. at The Commons at Central Hall. Maine author Tim Caverly will present his “Jeopardy”-style PowerPoint program “So You Think You Know Maine.”

In reading John Holyoke’s recent piece, “Catch and release fishing not to blame for togue population explosion,” I was struck by the writer’s claim that catch and release is “under attack.”