"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." That, of course, is the text of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.

The Dave’s World team is excited to reveal the new showroom. The grand opening will be from 5:30-7:30 p.m. as the Piscataquis Chamber will hold the event for members and the community to experience the new showroom for themselves. Guests can expect to find refreshments including hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar, and great door prizes. RSVPs by June 11 to 564-7533 are appreciated but not required.

In my last column I wrote about the importance journals can play in genealogical research. But how do you find an article in an obscure journal, perhaps one you never knew existed?

On Friday, June 22 the Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District (PCSWCD) will host a gravel road maintenance workshop from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Morton Avenue Municipal Building, 48 Morton Avenue.

A Superior Court judge has denied a new trial to a Guilford man serving two life sentences for the 1999 execution-style slayings of his ex-girlfriend and the toddler she was babysitting.

The Center Theatre hosted the first preliminary event for the Central Maine Talent Search on June 2. By the end of the evening, the three-judge panel and the 120-person audience had chosen Aidan Manning and Parker Kelley as the winners of the event. Both will continue on to the grand finale Sept. 15 where they will be eligible to win $500 and other prizes.

Upcoming events around the region.

The region's five chapters of the National Honor Society.

Allen Monroe from the Milo Historical Society spoke about the early history of Milo and presented a brief slide show at the May meeting of the Milo Garden Club. On Tuesday, June 12, planning for the August club fair will take place at Three Rivers Kiwanis Headquarters at noon.

Driving two-lane back roads along miles of woods, bordered and interwoven with old stone walls, I was exploring new areas of rural Maine. Up and down a rise in the road, around a curve, I see a red-winged blackbird perched on a lone cattail stalk rising from a small roadside wetland. Across the street a small cemetery catches my eye. I stop and visit.