Dear friends and neighbors, I want to congratulate Paul Davis for retaining Senate District 4. Despite the toxic environment on both sides of the aisle at the state and national level, I believe we treated each other with respect and civility. I wish Paul the best as you continue to serve the people in our district and want to assure you that I will work at your side to promote the issues raised by so many local residents -- healthcare access and costs, property taxes, the quality of our educational system, and economic growth and sustainability for our large rural region.

The Executive Committee of the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council (PCEDC) has named Tom and Nancy Harrigan of Milo as the 16th recipients of the Warren “Pete” Myrick Award. Both Tom and Nancy Harrigan exemplify the criteria set by Pete Myrick, a Guilford resident, who was a longtime educator and founder of PCEDC. Criteria includes overall impact of the candidate’s accomplishments, the duration of the candidate’s engagement in community service activities, and the breadth of community involvement.

Five different Foxcroft running backs accounted for six touchdowns and 368 rushing yards as coach Danny White’s club defeated Bucksport 43-26 at a cold and windy Weatherbee Complex at Hampden Academy on Saturday night, Nov. 10 to capture its second straight Class D North championship.

Blood drives are scheduled for Monday, Nov. 19 from 1-6 p.m. at the Piscataquis Regional YMCA in Dover-Foxcroft, 48 Park Street, and from 1-6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 27 at the Dexter Unitarian Universalist Church, 35 Church Street.

Crystal Ward, U.S. Forum chairperson for the state organization of DKG Society International, was the guest speaker at the November meeting of Omicron Chapter of the Society of Key Women Educators. W

Upcoming events around the region.

While scrolling through my photos of past trips to Baxter State Park, I realized that in years past every trip included a photo of a moose. This year, I made a half-dozen multi-day trips to the park to both the north and south ends, and not only did I not see a moose, but it was only outside the park that I even saw evidence of moose.

It’s November 7, 2018. The morning after the 2018 midterm elections, the first day of campaign season for the 2020 general elections.

It is with great pleasure that the Baxter State Park Authority announces the appointment of its new Baxter State Park Resource Manager, Michael Pounch.

Can cattle be handled and moved around without all the hooting and hollering that cattlemen are known for? They can, some experts say, and doing so can mean better meat. Known as low-stress stockmanship, it will be a hot topic at the second annual Cattlemen’s College is slated for Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, in Charleston and Orono.