The year was 2008, and the country was in the midst of a presidential election that would eventually hand the White House to Barack Obama.

There’s a strange bipolar effect that happens every election season. We want people to run for office. We want more choice. And then we bemoan the fact that so many people run — writing some folks off prematurely, even before they have a chance to make their case.

The Shaw Public Library recently received a $400 grant from the Rose and Samuel Rudman Library Trust Fund of the Maine Community Foundation. Library director Linda Wohlforth said the grant will be used to support the purchase of the collection development of a new genre of book titles which will be called “New Age/New Adult.”

At the end of February, three Maine men set out on snowshoes to hike the 100-Mile Wilderness, the most remote section of the Appalachian Trail stretching about 100 miles from Monson to Baxter State Park. They completed the arduous journey, over mountains and across half-frozen streams, in nine days, a feat very few hikers accomplish in the winter.

Partners for Peace, a domestic violence resource center will host two 44-hour trainings, one in Dover-Foxcroft and the other in Bangor, for anyone interested in volunteering with the organization. The first training begins June 16 in Dover-Foxcroft. The second will take place in September in Bangor.

The best way to stop the drug problem in Maine is to concentrate on drug enforcement. If the drug flow into Maine is stopped, then the rehab problem will take care of itself. No drugs, no need for expensive rehab programs.

NAMI Piscataquis County is happy to announce the presentation of “Mindfulness: Being Present for Your Life” at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 4 at the Dover-Foxcroft Congregational Church. Elaine Ecker from NAMI Maine in Augusta is the manager of The Peer Recovery Center in Waterville and co-author of “Inspiring Minds,” a skills-based, peer education course.

Greenville is about to hear from some powerful women. At 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 28 at the town office panelists Alexandra Conover Bennett, Jennifer Dumont, and Aislinn Sarnacki will discuss their outdoor experiences and what it’s like to embark on remote adventures, alone.

Upcoming events around the region

The Piscataquis County Republican Committee will host a debate of the Republican gubernatorial candidates on Friday, March 23 at the Center Theatre. Doors open at 6 p.m.