U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine recently met with Kaitlin Young, general and vocal music teacher at SeDoMoCha Elementary and Middle School, in her Washington, D.C., office. Young is the recipient of the 2018 Maine Teacher of the Year Award. She has taught at the SeDoMoCha School in Dover-Foxcroft for eight years and was previously named the 2017 Piscataquis County Teacher of the Year.

Two women were recently kicked out of restaurants. One holds a position of great power and influence. The other is a member of one of the most bullied and marginalized groups in our society.

On June 23-24 the Mid-Maine Rec Softball League held it playoffs at the Sangerville Veterans Memorial Park. Over 150 youth participated in the league this season. The grades 3-4 winner was Tri-Town (Palmyra) and the runner-up was Pirate Rec (Guilford/Sangerville). The grade 5-6 winner was Corinth and the runner-up was Dexter.

The Brownville-Brownville Junction Historical Society met on June 24 at the Parish House Museum. Yes, the museum is open for the season. Volunteers staff the museum on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m through September or by appointment (call 965-8070 or 943-7791).

The Sebec Village Associates will have a day of events on the Fourth of July next week, with proceeds benefiting the Reading Room. The day on Wednesday, July 4 starts with a breakfast at the Sebec Village Community Christian Church from 7-9 a.m.

On Friday, July 6 Dexter Dover Area Towns in Transition (DDATT) will host its monthly “First Friday” public discussion from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Abbott Memorial Library on “What is a Microgrid?”

Upcoming events around the region.

The Center Theatre and lead sponsor Shaw's Supermarket announced that 7,000 people attended the 2018 Maine Whoopie Pie Festival on Saturday, June 23. The festival brings bakers from around the state together with artists, crafters, and vendors to celebrate the whoopie pie, Maine's Official State Treat.

The Mallett Brothers Band performed at the Lakeshore House in Monson on Saturday, June 23 to a sold out crowd of about 300. The band is pictured posing with Lakeshore House owner Rebekah Anderson.

Once again the Maine Whoopie Pie Festival kicked off on the Saturday morning with the Piscataquis Regional YMCA’s Earn Your Whoopie Pie 3K and Kids’ 1K Fun Run, with both races starting on River Street on June 23.