It’s impossible for me to think about food stamps and not think about my Uncle Buddy – my mom’s brother. He was a gun-owning, motorcycle-riding, construction-working, leave-me-the-hell alone Republican. He worked on my grandmother’s farm high up in the Appalachian mountains of southwest Virginia – raising green peppers, tobacco, beef cattle and horses – and during the season he worked in construction, when there was work to be had.

Greta Schroeder of Biddeford has been hired as the new director of library services for the Thompson Free Library in Dover-Foxcroft. Schroeder, who starts in her new position on May 18, will replace Helen Fogler, who is retiring after serving for 21 years in that role.

Summer vacation doesn’t have to mean the end of learning for the school year. Foxcroft Academy is pleased to announce the following summer school offerings for credit: Local Ecology, Practical Spoken French, Introduction to Human Services, Personal Finance, and Lobster Bowl Media Relations.

Leslie Lizotte, Aging and Disability Resource Center specialist from the Eastern Area Agency on Aging, will be holding a Medicare 101 class at the Piscataquis County office building (Peaks House) located at 163 East Main Street from 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, May 16.

The following births were recorded recently at Mayo Regional Hospital

Upcoming events around the region.

On Thursday, May 17 there will be two assemblies held in SAD 41 schools to honor 34 students who will be awarded $100 scholarships from the Maine College Circle’s College Aspirations Scholarship program.

Sponsored by Pine Tree Hospice and the Maine Humanities Council, this book club offers a wide range of readings that will make you think about the subject of tenderness as you never have before. Join this engaging book club that is facilitated by Greg Winston, a professor of English at Husson University. The group will provide a platform to read different, distinctive works that will fascinate and intrigue. Read, discuss, or feel free just to listen – and enjoy this experience. Members need not attend all events.

Dexter Dover Area Towns in Transition (DDATT) is sponsoring a free artisan bread-making workshop from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 12 at the Universalist Church kitchen on Hall Street.

A near-capacity crowd filled the Center Theatre on May 4 for opening night of “Disney's Lion King Jr.” They were treated to a local all-youth cast performance that brought them to their feet in a standing ovation. The play, directed by Ben Layman with vocal direction by Emily Allen, is a production of the Center Theatre and Slightly Off-Center Players.