My first time visiting a solitary confinement unit at Maine State Prison in Warren was like walking into a Federico Fellini movie. I did not visit alone.

I am asking our legislators to return to Augusta to vote on a Land for Maine’s future bond. It is imperative that our legislators vote before the end of August in order for the bond make the November 2019 ballot.

“I’m going to open doors for you, doors you never dreamed existed.” Rosalind Russell utters those memorable words as she ascends her impossibly lavish and dramatic staircase in the final scene of the wonderful film “Auntie Mame.” This August promises to open new doors -- for all ages -- at the Thompson Free Library in Dover-Foxcroft.

Monday, to the apparent notice of no one, congressional leaders and the president came together and agreed to something: spending a lot more money, and putting it on the credit card. Again.

Two of the nation’s top credit rating agencies have expressed growing confidence that Northern Light Health will be able to pay back $391 million in outstanding debts, a change that could help the hospital system borrow money more cheaply in the future.

The Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce will hold a Business After Hours event for Chamber members and local residents on Thursday, Aug. 8 from 5-7 p.m. This event is being hosted by Hibbard’s Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 1037 West Main Street.

There are certain tasks most of us will face, assuming we have the good fortune to live long enough. One of those is cleaning out the house of our parents — perhaps the house where we grew up. My mother, Louise Farmer, died in October 2015, and I have put off dealing with her house for almost four years.

Code Maine Coding Academy, based in Dover-Foxcroft, is offering a 9-month, tuition-free coding program to any high school graduate residing in Maine. The aim of this nonprofit organization is to train Maine residents to learn valuable technical skills for rewarding lifelong careers.

Summertime in Maine is typified by fairs and festivals featuring fun, food and raffles. This year at Dexter’s Hot Dog Festival on Saturday, Aug. 10, the Dexter Public Health Association will raffle a summery quilt called “Sidewalk Chalk” by its creator, Rosemarie O’Toole.

Saturday, Aug. 3 will be the eighth annual Minnie Welts Bridge Memorial Scholarship Supper, sponsored by Parkman Grange from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Grange Hall. The supper, featuring smoked pork loin, baked beans, salads, cake and ice cream, is open to the public by donation. All monies will go to the Minnie Welts Bridge Memorial Scholarship Fund -- the 2019 scholarships will be awarded that evening.