The Center Theatre had hoped to open the new 2nd screen in mid-April, but unfortunately that will no longer be possible. Due to the global COVID 19 pandemic, the Theatre is now closed and some of the vendors working on the second screen have had to push back their start dates.

To our friends and supporters of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Sangerville and Dover-Foxcroft Food Cupboard and SoupsStock 2020 we regret to inform you that SoupStock 2020 as we know it has become a casualty of COVID.19. The supper planned for Saturday, April 4 is now postponed. Instead, baring an enforced lockdown, all the beautifully handcrafted bowls will be on display at the church from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 4.

The General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC)/MIOSAC Club meeting for Feb. 4 was held at Thayer Parkway. President Suzanne Raymond called the meeting to order with 11 members present. Diane Leighton and Brenda Quiet were hostesses for the evening. Program chairman was Wendy Hutchins.

The Center Theatre announced Monday that it is closing in an effort to slow the spread of COVID 19. According to an announcement posted on the website, "We are joining many other local organizations who are taking action to slow the spread of COVID 19 to give our healthcare systems and supporting infrastructure a chance to cope with this global pandemic. We do this not out of fear but from a sense of shared responsibility for the health and welfare of our community."

The board of directors for Three Rivers Kiwanis of Milo/Brownville have decided to suspend meetings for Wednesday, March 18 and Wednesday, March 25. Due to the Covid-19 virus the board is taking every precaution to keep people safe and healthy.

The Center Theatre is now accepting registrations for the 2020 April Vacation Drama Camp. The camp will run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, April 20 through Friday April 24 at the Center Theatre.

University of Maine Cooperative Extension will offer two sessions on using small-scale greenhouses to extend the growing season beginning 1-3 p.m. on Thursday March 12, at the UMaine Extension office, 165 East Main St. in Dover-Foxcroft. The program repeats from 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, March 25 at the Extension office, 307 Maine Avenue in Bangor.

Upcoming events around the region.

The Final Friday Community Conversations on Climate continued on Feb. 28 with a well-attended potluck dinner followed by a talk by Citizens’ Climate Lobby representative Peter Garrett from Winslow. He reported that both U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King are now members of the Senate Climate Solutions Caucus, an excellent representation for Maine which shows tremendous leadership of our delegation on climate issues.

The Clarks agreed to a $10,000 sale price with Friends of Community Fitness covering the $2,300 closing costs, allowing Friends of Community Fitness to officially become building owners as of Nov. 22. The now permanent home was recognized with a “Keys to the Building Celebration” on the morning of Saturday, Feb. 29 with Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Denise Buzzelli presenting a symbolic oversized key.

Valley Grange of Guilford is sponsoring a blanket-making event from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 28 and volunteers are needed. Organizer Pat Engstrom notes “no sewing skills are needed. If you can measure, cut a straight line with scissors and tie a simple knot you can become a ‘blanketeer’ and help support Project Linus.”

At 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11 at The Commons at Central Hall, NAMI Piscataquis County will host a video presentation entitled, “Meditation and Prayer: How Spiritual Practices Can Be Powerful Tools to Overcome Depression and Anxiety.”

At 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 12, Chris Clukey, MA, CCC-A, certified audiologist from Dover Audiology, will speak at the Dexter Age-Friendly Tea Talks at Gatherings 4 Maine Street.

The Dover Low Vision Group will meet at the Thayer Parkway Community Room, 33 Thayer Parkway, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Friday, March 6.

The Piscataquis County Soil & Water Conservation District’s (PCSWCD) 2020 Tree and Plant Sale has begun. We are pleased to announce PCSWCD is using several new, local and organic suppliers for our tree and plant sale this year. They are all located in Maine and some are very close to home.

Upcoming events around the region.

Anglers are invited to Sebec Lake for the ninth annual Dover-Foxcroft Firefighters Association Ice Fishing Derby on Saturday, Feb. 29 and Sunday, March 1.

This month, from compelling fiction to special programs to wonderful artwork, the Thompson Free Library in Dover-Foxcroft taps into a wellspring of empathy.