Maine author Paul Doiron will speak at the Thompson Free Library at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15 for the James Brown Lecture Series. The event is free and open to the public.

“Grief through the Holidays” with Rev. Ray Beless, is the topic of Pine Tree Hospice’s Lunch ‘n Learn program from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 13.

When it comes to interpreting old handwriting most genealogists agree it’s a difficult task. I’ve done my share of puzzling over words that I’m sure were created by a malevolent clerk chuckling over the trouble he was creating for future genealogists. For example, I recently came across a word on an old marriage record that was nothing more than a series of bumps. Eventually, I was able to figure out it was supposed to be “Lincoln.”

A free Thanksgiving dinner will be served at noon on the holiday, Thursday, Nov. 22, at the Dover-Foxcroft Congregational Church, 824 West Main Street. Advanced reservations are requested but not required. For more information please call 564-2872.

This will be the 15th annual Thanksgiving dinner offered to the community, by the community. The meal is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22 at the Guilford United Methodist Church on the corner of North Main and School streets. Take-out meals are available. Delivered meals and rides to the event may be offered if enough volunteers are available.

Lilah McCormack, a sophomore at Dexter Regional High School, is an eager member of that school’s Key Club and chairs its “Thirst Project” which aims to provide clean water via a deep well to an impoverished area of Swaziland in Africa. Aino Rudloff-Eastman, a DRHS senior and Key Club veteran, recently helped McCormack present the well-drilling project to an attentive audience at Dexter Dover Area Towns in Transition’s monthly public discussion meeting at the Abbott Memorial Library.

There has been some discussion lately about the ongoing process of Mayo Regional Hospital’s plan to enter into a new agreement with Northern Light Health (formerly EMHS or Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems). We wanted to take the opportunity to provide an update and further clarification, because we understand as the region’s healthcare provider and largest employer, our future affects many, if not all, members of the community.

The Greenville Laker Key Club has been a vibrant and active member of the Moosehead community for over 50 years and this past August they were recognized at the Thirst Project International Convention in Chicago for funding well water in Swaziland, Africa.

In a book of collected letters, written by former President Herbert Hoover to American children, I was impressed with one letter to a kid who had written to the President of the United States with a question about how government can best help U.S. citizens.

Josh Harvey has made quick work of his first five professional mixed martial arts opponents -- none has lasted even one full round in the cage against him. Now, the 28-year-old fighter from Young’s MMA in Bangor -- who is a graduate of Dexter Regional High School -- is faced with a challenge that could elevate him from the regional scene much closer to the national ranks.