The hope of bright sunshine, longer days, blooming flowers and Easter egg hunts are the promises of spring just around the corner.

    GORHAM — Eight students from the region were named to the full-time Dean’s List at the University of Southern Maine for the fall semester.

    Wednesday, Feb.

    SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.

    PORTLAND — Elliotsville Plantation, which is considering a donation of land to create a national park and recreation area in Maine, on Feb.

    AUGUSTA — Brig.

    WATERVILLE — Hardy Girls Healthy Women is celebrating Maine girls in its sixth annual Girls Rock! Weekend April 5-6.

    PRESQUE ISLE — Two hundred and ninety-seven students at the University of Maine at Presque Isle have been named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2012 semester.

    The Maine Appalachian Trail Club (MATC) announced it has received a $20,000 grant from the Davis Conservation Foundation.

    Wednesday, Feb.

    FARMINGTON — A dozen students from the region were named to the fall Dean’s List at the University of Maine-Farmington.

ATHENS — Make-A-Wish Maine has awarded Athens resident and Madison High School  sophomore Lanie Howes, 15, with their Brendan Batson Award.

House Majority Leader Seth Berry (D-Bowdoinham) speaks at a press conference outlining the goals of the new Joint Select Committee on Maine’s Workforce and Economic Future on Jan.

    Maine cartoonist Jeff Pert who created “Bob the Lobster” plans to “fire up kids’ imaginations” when he puts on cartoon workshops at the Thompson Free Library and Guilford Memorial Library during February vacation week.

    Wednesday, Feb.

ORONO — The University of Maine recently recognized the following students for achieving Dean’s List honors in the fall 2012 semester: Abbott: Ian Maines and Anne Witick.

The Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District is beginning forestry management projects at both the Demonstration Forest in Williamsburg and the Law Farm property in Dover-Foxcroft.

    Wednesday, Feb.