If any non-human deserves a Nobel Prize, it’s the common fruit fly, according to a newly minted Nobel laureate and Maine retiree who used the tiny insect to unlock the mystery of the biological clock.

I recently came across Matthew Gagnon’s Sept. 21 BDN (and Sept. 27 Piscataquis Observer) column “The future of freedom of speech.” I found it interesting that Gagnon blamed political correctness as the reason college campuses are drifting toward speech codes and regulations on speech.

Upcoming October events

The Piscataquis County Retired Educators met for the last formal meeting of the year. Sixteen members gathered recently at the Bear's Den for a silent auction, meeting and lunch.

This year’s Moose on the Run events will be Sunday morning, Oct. 8 -- organized by the town of Greenville -- with the 1K at 9:30 a.m. and 5K walkers and runners departing at 10 and 10:30 a.m. respectively.

Speaking this week with Dover-Foxcroft based musician/teacher, Susan Ramsey, I found out Foxcroft Academy's String Program, which she directs, is a model other rural Maine communities can follow. From the start, I was surprised at the extent of FA's overall music programs. But I especially could not fathom why the FA String Program was so popular.

The Aroostook County community of Limestone’s search for a new town manager has concluded with the selectboard hiring Matthew S. Pineo, who previously held the same position in Brownville and later Sangerville on an interim basis.

I don't think that athletes and entertainers need to stay silent about issues they care about, nor do I begrudge them using their fame and wealth to advance causes they believe in. That tolerance for their opinions, however, does not mean that I need to celebrate what they say, or the means with which they say it.

The woods are getting a bit chilly. I know I’m used to hot summer days, but we seem to be running out of them. It’s getting to be long-pants weather, especially if you’re out walking in those cooling woods.

The Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce will be performing a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. on Oct. 6 at Whitney's Family Market in Guilford.