Ridge View Community School seventh-grader Kaleb Ranquist, the son of Erin and Robert Ranquist, has been notified by the National Geographic Society that he is one of the semifinalists eligible to compete in the 2019 National Geographic GeoBee Maine State Competition. The contest will be held at the University of Maine Farmington on Friday, March 29.

The popular Dudley Trail up Mount Katahdin won’t reopen this year, according to Baxter State Park officials. In a post on the park’s Facebook page, park officials said it’s “difficult to gauge” when it will reopen.

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 at the next session of Lunch n’ Learn. Lunch ‘n Learn will take place Tuesday, March 19 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Dover-Foxcroft and is part of Pine Tree Hospice’s adult grief support program.

As a senior in 2017, Stearns lost to Dexter 47-44 in the Class C semifinals. Current Husson teammate Megan Peach was the star on that Dexter team.

In addition to running a public policy think tank and writing this column every week, I have also been blessed for the last three years to host the morning drive-time radio program on WGAN, southern Maine's biggest news and talk radio station.

The public is cordially invited to this year's Dexter Regional High School spring musical “Annie, Jr.” from March 21-23 in the cafeteria. This shortened version of the well-loved musical includes the well known story of the plucky and positive orphan Annie and all the songs you know in only 60 minutes.

Sen. Paul Davis, R-Sangerville introduced LD 555 “An Act To Reduce Colorectal Cancer Incidence and Mortality by Updating Screening Coverage” late last month to the Legislature’s Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee. With this bill, Sen. Davis hopes to remove the reference to the minimum age at which insurance companies must cover colorectal cancer screenings.

Musician and teacher, Susan Ramsey, has said more than once, directly and indirectly, how much she loves living in Piscataquis County. Piscataquis County -- the whole State of Maine -- is fortunate to have Susan Ramsey as one of its own.

Local resident Wendy Weiger is planning an exciting adventure this month. She is embarking on a hike on the relatively new American Discovery Trail (ADT). This trail system of 6,800 miles is, according to the ADT website, “a new breed of national trail — part city, part small town, part forest, part mountains, part desert — all in one trail.” It stretches from the east coast at Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware to Pt. Reyes National Seashore in California.

The Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District (PCSWCD) is calling all artists! The PCSWCD is holding a poster contest for its children’s garden at the Law Farm.