When the doctor tells you to open up and say, “Ahhh,” pretty much anywhere in the world, there’s a chance that the wooden stick pressing on your tongue was made in Maine. And the wooden stick in that Creamsicle? Probably also from Maine. Hardwood Products Co. in Guilford has something of a split personality. The company is divided into two operations, one right across the road from the other.

Upcoming events around the region

Developing quality depth has been at the core of a generation of wrestling success at Foxcroft Academy. But the Ponies may have taken that skill to a new level Saturday, Feb. 3 while capturing their third consecutive Penobscot Valley Conference championship at Sereyko Gymnasium on the campus of Penobscot Valley High School. The Ponies also won the conference title for the fifth time in six years.

The General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC)/Miosac Club will again be conducting its annual Sebec Lake Ice Out Contest in 2018. Tickets may be purchased from any club member from Feb. 15 through March 31.

The Foxcroft Academy indoor track and field closed out the 2017-18 Penobscot Valley Conference/Eastern Maine Indoor Track League regular season with a meet at the University of Maine on Feb. 3.

“Neither Wolf Nor Dog” will be at the Center Theatre on East Main Street in Dover-Foxcroft at 2 and 7 p.m. on Feb. 10 and Sunday, Feb. 11 and 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 12.

My week began with reading Bryan Stevenson's “Just Mercy,” a book recommended by Maine Hospice Council Executive Director Kandyce Powell. I've worked with Kandyce on prison hospice projects. Mr. Stevenson, a lawyer, heads up the Equal Justice Initiative, a nonprofit engaged in pro bono work for the poor, children, and women.

The January meeting of AARP’s Coffee Talk at The Mill in Dover-Foxcroft hosted speaker Beth Ranagan, president of NAMI Piscataquis County. The presentation focused on mental health programs available to area residents through NAMI Maine and the local affiliate.

Dover-Foxcroft Fire Chief Joseph Guyotte met with Sen. Paul Davis, R-Sangeville and Rep. Norm Higgins, I-Dover-Foxcroft at a Legislative breakfast in Augusta on Feb. 1.

Mayo Regional Hospital organized and hosted an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) conference and training program on Jan. 27 on the hospital campus. The conference was a collaboration between the Mayo EMS Service, the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Service (KPTI) at Tufts Medical Center in Boston and the Kiwanis Club of Dover-Foxcroft.