As you likely already know, the Maine Legislature adjourned in the early morning hours of April 19 with a great deal of work left undone. We returned on Wednesday, May 3 to act on various bills that the Governor had vetoed. That day I voted to extend the session one day to take up some important bills. The vote failed.

Once again the media and the political establishment have anointed who they think should be the candidates, explained to the voters why we should just except their established infallibility, and just embrace the inevitable by voting the way they indicate. So again, it's the same old, same old. Two candidates, who the “powers that be” have foisted upon us, to which we are expected to accept without question.

Is the proposed citizen initiative question legal according to the Maine Constitution?

The Dexter Regional High School boys finished fourth among a field of seven teams during a May 4 meet at Bucksport High School. The Tigers scored 66 points.

On the morning of Saturday, April 28 hundreds of participants took part in the Abbot-based JD Foundation’s third annual 5K Walk/Run to Wake the Silence, raising funds for the organization, honoring those who have died by suicide and supporting survivors and families impacted.

Area youth are invited to a Hooked on Fishing Not Drugs event from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 19 at the (Dover-Foxcroft) Kiwanis Park Pond behind the Piscataquis Regional YMCA -- those stopping by are asked to bring bait and tackle. The session is sponsored by the Maine State Police, Dover-Foxcroft Police Department and Will’s Shop ‘n Save.

On May 1 a special assembly was held at Foxcroft Academy to announce the Class of 2018’s outstanding scholars at the annual Rose Award ceremony. This year the recipients are Jinlin “Wayne” Chen, Jenna Clukey (the Class of 2018 valedictorian), Emily Curtis, Maya Hagelin, Charlotte Jolin, Gabrielle Jolin, Shu “Will” Lin, Griffin Loomis, Virginia Macomber, Avery Nelson (the salutatorian), Jacob Olson, Esau Olson, and Joshua Reed.

The public is invited on Saturday, May 19 for the annual Three Rivers Kiwanis Sebec River Canoe and Kayak Race. Registration is at Sebec Village Reading Room from 8:30 until 9:45 a.m. The race starts promptly at 10 a.m. as participants will travel to the boat launch in Milo.

Piscataquis County Democrats and guests gathered on April 29 for the annual spring Brunch at American Legion Post 29. Over 100 people enjoyed a delicious brunch prepared by David Ziemer, Sue Mackey Andrews and numerous volunteers while listening to candidates for governor, the Second Congressional District and local candidates for the Maine House and Senate.

In the 1980s and early 1990s, in May and June, you could catch a fresh run Atlantic salmon on the Penobscot River. And you could play your king of game fish within eyeshot of downtown Bangor. As a result, salmon clubs popped up along the river banks like ostrich ferns.