Senior Chief Mark Melia, a native of Guilford and who has served 17 years in the U.S. Navy, is a master-at-arms and is the U.S. European Command (EUCOM) Navy Element’s senior enlisted leader. As the senior enlisted leader, Malia’s job is the link between the enlisted community and the senior leaders.

Upcoming events around the region.

Just about a year ago, The Commons at Central Hall reopened after a 10-year hiatus from public view. It had been a public hall and served as town offices. Class plays were held here. They even had minstrel shows here. And they played basketball here for 75 years.

Canoeists and kayakers braved the rain to paddle approximately 10 miles from King Cummings Park in Guilford to the shore across Foxcroft Academy in the Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis’ 47th annual Piscataquis River Race on April 27.

Four women from the GFWC Miosac Club in Dover-Foxcroft attended the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) Spring Convention at the Hilton Garden Inn in Freeport May 2-3. Attending were Suzanne Raymond, who is GFWC Miosac club president, GFWC Bylaws Committee member, GFWC New England Region treasurer and GFWC Maine parliamentary advisor; Anne Cress, who is GFWC Miosac Club vice president and GFWC Maine Leadership chairman; Minnie McCormick, who is GFWC Miosac Club publicity chairman; Vicki Moschella, who is GFWC Maine Conservation chairman; and 63 other clubwomen from around the state.

In September the Foxcroft Academy Key Club decided to fund a well for clean drinking water through the Thirst Project. The goal was lofty, $12,000. In just six months the club was able to raise the necessary funds, and now for a second time in three years the Foxcroft Academy Key Club will have its name on a well in Africa.

The Dover-Foxcroft Police, Maine State Police and Will’s Shop ‘n Save sponsor a Youth Hooked on Fishing event from 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday, May 18 at the Kiwanis Park Pond in Dover-Foxcroft, and Save-A-Lot and the PRYMCA will sponsor another event from 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday, June 1 at Snow’s Pond on the Greeley’s Landing Road in Dover-Foxcroft.

Last Thursday, May 9 we received the terrible news that the $7.1 million highway reconstruction project scheduled to begin in Abbot has been pulled. My first reaction, perhaps like yours, is "why us -- how come we never get anything!" That is a natural reaction. In reality, these constructions decisions are made using set criteria.

Dr. Deborah Drew, professor and director of counseling and human relations at Husson University and clinical consultant for Pine Tree Hospice will be addressing this topic in a special seminar scheduled for Thursday, May 23 from 1-2:30 p.m. at the Thompson Free Library in Dover-Foxcroft. This free event is open to everyone in the community.

U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine will spend Saturday, May 25 visiting Milo and talking with constituents as he tours several venues in the area to begin the Memorial Day weekend. Local residents are encouraged to come out and meet with Golden and his staff at the American Legion in the morning and/or at Bissell Brothers Three Rivers in the afternoon.