The General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC)/Miosac Club welcomed the New Year with a pot luck dinner. Several members braved the cold to gather at Thayer Parkway on Jan. 2.

There was a day when Ski-Doo was simply a generic name for a snowmobile. Early on, as I recall, Ski-Doo was the only game in town.

On behalf of the 178,000 unpaid family caregivers who reside in our state, AARP Maine applauds U.S. Sen. Susan Collins for her leadership in sponsoring the Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage (RAISE) Family Caregivers Act.

After our recent visit from Winter Storm Grayson, I want to thank postal employees for making every reasonable effort throughout this storm to transport, collect and deliver the mail where it was safe to do so.

Nominations are now open for the 2018 County Teachers of the Year and 2019 Teacher of the Year. Members of the public are encouraged to nominate educators who demonstrate a commitment to excellence and nurturing the achievement of all students at http://www.mainetoy.org through Feb. 5.

Too many Maine families are facing skyrocketing property taxes that strain household budgets. Our elderly on fixed incomes are particularly vulnerable to these increases. School budgets are often blamed for annual increases in property taxes. But there’s another reason. A tremendous amount of land and property value has been taken off the tax rolls, leaving homeowners to pick up the tab.

Member of the public can help people affected by disasters. Learn more at an American Red Cross information session about how to help fulfill the humanitarian mission of the Red Cross. The session will be held at the Thompson Free Library, 186 East Main Street, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 18.

The Forest Society of Maine (FSM) is celebrating the completion of the permanent conservation of thousands of acres of productive forest land and access to popular recreation lands near Gulf Hagas and Whitecap Mountain in Maine’s North Woods in Piscataquis County. After four years of collaboration with the forestland owner, the state Bureau of Parks and Lands, and conservation partner Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust, an area used by thousands of people annually is permanently conserved for hunting, fishing, hiking, snowmobiling, and camping.

Reg Mossey, representing the Dexter Area Food Closet, accepts a donation of $500 from Ridge View Community School Builders Club President Maureen O'Roak.

Barry Higgins of Maple Lane Farms in Charleston received the Commissioner’s Distinguished Service Award Jan. 9 at the 77th annual Maine Agricultural Trades Show Commissioner’s Luncheon.