When I was a freshman in college, I got very involved, and very invested in the upcoming presidential race in 2000. Being a young, politically minded student, forming opinions and wishing to express them, I decided to try out column writing for The Maine Campus, the University of Maine's student newspaper.

Locked away. Out of sight. Out of mind. Out of luck. Kids are left in prison because there’s no place else for them to go. Men with autism are living in hospital emergency rooms, no other bed to be had. A child is locked up, gets sick and never gets better.

If your ancestor was naturalized how do you find the records? It’s important to determine where your ancestor was living at the time he was naturalized. Prior to 1906 any court could perform a naturalization ceremony. Your ancestor could have been naturalized in a municipal, county, state, or federal court, so having an idea where he lived at the time is of great importance.

Realizing our human connection to everything and everyone else in the world brings us to the point where we have the empathy needed for healing. This is a message from Bonnie Badenoch, PhD, in NAMI’s next Healing Trauma Summit video presentation called “Becoming a Healing Presence in the World” at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 13 at The Commons at Central Hall.

The Center Theatre and Slightly Off-Center Players have announced auditions for the fall and winter productions. Auditions will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 15 and at 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 17. Auditions will be held at the Commons at Central Hall, 152 East Main Street.

I just wanted to pass along some quick information on fall river flows and lake elevations. I know a lot of people are gearing up for September fishing and would like to make plans.

Three Maine teachers have been announced as state finalists for the 2019 Maine Teacher of the Year. Among the three is 2018 Piscataquis County Teacher of the Year Joseph Hennessey who teaches American, World, AP Literature and Composition and Camden Conference Seminar for grades 11-12 at Piscataquis Community High School. He has been teaching for six years.

The upcoming New England Fights mixed martial arts show scheduled for Friday, Sept. 8 at the Cross insurance Center in Bangor will have a distinct local flavor.

Upcoming events around the region.

The executive committee of the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council (PCEDC) is seeking nominations for the annual Warren "Pete" Myrick Community Service Award, to be presented at the annual meeting of PCEDC in December. Meeting date and location will be disclosed soon.