Beat the heat, escape the rain, and keep your mind active at the Thompson Free Library. July is jam-packed with exciting activities for all ages.

The free summer meal program is up and running at the SeDoMoCha School for the fifth summer. It began the day after school got out and had its official kickoff on June 23.

Established by Maine voters in 1987, the Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) program celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. This successful program awards money from voter-approved bonds to worthy projects that have been ranked and vetted in a rigorous public process.

Carolanne Dionne

John Patrick Cameron

The fourth annual event is set for Saturday, July 8 with a pre-hike ceremony for the “Miles for Memories Hike” and American Legion Post 116 barbecue, 50/50 raffle and door prizes to start around noon. For more information, please see the Wilderness Walk for Warriors Facebook page.

The Center Theatre, Slightly Off-Center Players, and Center Coffee House will host a paint and sip event at the Center Theatre from 3 to 6 p.m., on Saturday, July 8. The event, which will raise money for live theatrical events at the Center Theatre, is for people of all ages and all abilities who want to gather together with an experienced painter, to practice and enhance their painting skills.

On Saturday, July 15 at 11 a.m. the Monson Historical Society is pleased to have as a guest speaker Craig Denekas, president and CEO of the Libra Foundation. The Libra Foundation has been investing heavily in Monson and Piscataquis County and Denekas will provide an update on the progress to date and future plans.

As Maine's legislative leaders bring us to the brink of a government shutdown, it is worth diverting our attention to some other places in the country that are shutting things down. One such place is Evergreen State College, in Olympia, Washington, where an increasingly aggressive group of student "protesters" have been on a mission to destroy the First Amendment.

We're being told the economy of the Northern Penobscot region is on the mend thanks to the new national monument. Truth is it's up a little; instead of five visitors a day to a local business, they can expect six now. If we're willing to settle for such a small improvement, let's sign up now.