Monson Arts -- a new arts center and artists’ residency program supported by the Libra Foundation -- will open a new exhibit on May 15 at its gallery in downtown Monson. “Artists of the Forest,” curated by folklorist Kathleen Mundell, features the work of six artists from Maine’s Northern Forest who work with one of the region’s most abundant resources- -- wood.

Local author Joe Siccardi will facilitate a second six-week class trying to demystify writing in general and taking the fear out of sharing your written words. The interactive Take the Fear Out of Writing class will begin Monday, June 3 at 1 p.m. at The Commons at Central Hall. It will continue weekly through July 8.

The Center Theatre was full of Seussified Fun Friday, May 3 as The Slightly Off-Center Player Kids took the stage to perform “Seussical Jr.” for the first time. Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat and more favorite Dr. Seuss characters sprung to life onstage with exciting songs and colorful costumes.

The ice was declared to be “out” at 9:48 a.m. on Friday, May 3. The winner of this year’s contest is Larry Miller of Howell, New Jersey. His was the closest guess with a time of 10:04 a.m.

Students and staff of Piscataquis Community Elementary School recently announced several public events of interest to families and the community.

The General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC)/Miosac Club met at Thayer Parkway April 16 for a spring tea. President Suzanne Raymond called the meeting to order. Vicki Moschella led the Club Collect, Americans Creed and Pledge of Allegiance. She then introduced Pam Pultz who spoke about "senior dogs." Pultz has these pets and she says the dogs are very good to have for companionship and exercise.

The Rose and Samuel Rudman Library Trust of the Maine Community Foundation has awarded grants totaling $22,363 to 30 libraries across the state. The grants, which range from $300 to $1,000, support programs and activities that creatively and practically integrate with a library’s collection.

Clip out this column and pin it to the refrigerator. For online readers, pin your computer to the refrigerator. Eleven birding highlights are about to happen.

Baxter State Park is pleased to announce that Hunter Law, who is a graduate of Foxcroft Academy, has been selected as this year's Visiting Artist. Law's submission was selected from an extremely competitive field of very talented artists.

The Wassabec Genealogical Society will meet at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 28 in the Piscataquis Room at Mayo Regional Hospital. Speaker will be Carol McCoy, past president of the Maine Genealogical Society, and she will discuss finding a Mayflower ancestor.

A large cast of local kids will take the stage on Friday, May 3 at 7 p.m. for the opening night of “Seussical, Jr.” at the Center Theatre. The musical, based on the works of Dr. Seuss, will also be performed on Saturday the 4th at 2 and 7 p.m., Sunday the 5th at 2 p.m., Friday the 10th at 7 p.m., Saturday the 11th at 2 p.m. and Sunday the 12th at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 12 is also Mother's Day and the Slightly Off-Center Players will be hosting a Seussical Mother's Day Tea Party at 10 a.m.

Dexter Dover Area Towns in Transition’s (DDATT) May 3 version of First Friday will be a free public screening of "No Impact Man" -- a 2009 movie -- at 6 p.m. in the Abbott Memorial Library with discussion afterwards.

Hot after its performance at the Shrine Circus in Bangor on April 27, the Harold J. Crosby Community Band will present a free public concert on Sunday, May 5 at 1:30 p.m. in the Dexter Town Hall. They will be performing “Circus Classics, Cowboy Classics and Classics” from the era of Rock and Roll.

Join us for a morning birdwalk on Saturday, May 11 as we explore springtime birds at the Law Farm. The Piscataquis County Soil & Water Conservation District (PCSWCD) will be hosting birding expert Bob Duchesne for a birdwalk starting at 8 a.m. to view year round birds in Maine and also some returning springtime birds!

Brooks & Kennedy, featuring Ken and Jane Brooks and Joe and Nellie Kennedy, will perform classic country and Evergreen-style Americana music at the Wayside Grange Theatre on Saturday, April 27 at 7 p.m. This is the first show for the 2019 concert series and the seventh year of an ongoing concert series.

A dozen pieces created by students at Foxcroft Academy and Piscataquis Community High School were on display at the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC)/Miosac Club’s annual art show on Sunday, March 24 at The Commons at Central Hall.

The Center Theatre is looking for input from the community about its events, concessions, pricing and any other feedback from the community. While people are always welcome to send suggestions, Kathy Reardon, the chair of the Theatre Fundraising Committee, developed the survey to encourage everyone to give the Theatre their opinion.

Hailing from Ormstown, Québec and the surrounding Chateauguay Valley, the Durham County Poets will bring their soulful folk music with hints of blues and jazz to The Commons at Central Hall at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 27. The Commons Executive Director Tara Smith said that both spectators and dancers are encouraged to attend.