Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument will celebrate its second birthday with a hootenanny this weekend. And there is plenty to celebrate.

The Maine Cancer Foundation (MCF) announced it is awarding a total of $50,000 in grant funding to six hospice programs throughout the state to increase hospice services available for Maine cancer patients, their caretakers, family and friends. Among the recipients is the Dover-Foxcroft-based Pine Tree Hospice, which will receive $10,000 to serve Piscataquis County and portions of Penobscot and Somerset counties.

Matthew Gagnon raised an important question in his recent column, “We shouldn’t cheer those secret recordings.” Based on Omarosa Manigault Newman’s recordings, especially those done against standing security protocols in the White House Situation room, Gagnon asked, “is that the world we really want to live in?”

Upcoming events around the region.

This year marks the 131st anniversary of the Piscataquis Valley Fair, which began in 1887. The 2018 fair will run from Thursday, Aug. 23 to Sunday, Aug. 26 at the fairgrounds located at 77 Fairview Avenue. The four days will feature exhibitions, rides, concerts and fun for all ages.

The Good Shepherd Food Bank’s Food Mobile will be distributing food, including fresh produce, perishable and non-perishable items, to people in need in the Milo area from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 29 at the Three Rivers Kiwanis, 24 Gerrish Road.

Were your ancestors naturalized American citizens? Naturalization isn’t something new on our national horizon. Even in the 17th century, the English colonies required an oath of allegiance to the English crown or confirmation from a Protestant minister that the alien was in good standing with the church before he could become a citizen of a colony.

A legislative watchdog found “no evidence” that Gov. Paul LePage’s administration diverted public timber from Maine millowners because they criticized the governor, though there was “very little documentation” to back that finding.

NAMI Piscataquis County is pleased to announce a special program Basic Reflexology for Relaxation to be presented at The Commons at Central Hall by Tara Smith, BA, BSN, CMT at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 5. This program is part of the NAMI Connections Senior Support program for older people experiencing the anxiety and/or depression that is so common to this age group.

The East Sangerville Grange is resurrecting its famed tradition of putting on a not-to-miss public dinner. The meal, a “Farm-to-Table Suppah,” is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 7. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., with “suppah” starting at 6 p.m. Live old-time Americana sting-band music will be played by the local band Timberdoodle.