Pine Tree Hospice invites children ages 8 through 12 to explore an alternative to “talking through grief” in this free 90-minute workshop facilitated by Terri Kelley Palin a local artist, creative play coach and life stress reduction facilitator. No artistic skills are required.

Water quality monitor training and certification will be held on Friday, Aug. 9 from 9 a.m. to noon on Wilson Pond. Snacks and beverages provided free of charge by Friends of Wilson Ponds.

A hike to Little Wilson Falls will be Saturday, July 13 with a July 20 rain date. Meet at the Monson Appalachian Trail Visitor Center at 12:30 p.m. Advance registration is required.

A blacksmith demonstration will be held at Dunham Forge, 107 Dawes Road, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 13. The guest blacksmith will be Dwight King from Orrington.

Upcoming events around the region.

Eighteen members of the Piscataquis County Retired Educators met Tuesday, June 25 for a delicious luncheon at The Lakeshore House. Registered Maine Guide and founder of Actor Earth Ways Wendy Weiger shared information on transforming lives while healing Earth. She offers programs on mindful nature walks, nature-focused meditation and celebrations of the seasons. She recently has authored her first book “Heaven Beneath Our Feet.” Though her job at the Appalachian Trail Center in Monson focuses on educating trail hikers, she shared a dozen or more helpful tips for safe, doable hikes for retirees.

Join attendees on Thursday, July 18 at 2 p.m. for this free family friendly concert sponsored by the Abbott Memorial Library. The concert will be held in the basement of the Universalist church, which is adjacent to the library. For more information, please call 924-7292.

The Commons at Central Hall board of directors and members of committees held the annual meeting at the camp of Cherie Stitham White on June 29. Tara Smith is the chief executive officer and she reported progress made this past year in the completion of all but the back area of the building. This past year has been successful with its offerings of activities, events and programs.

A play reading of “Arsenic and Old Lace” takes place at the Wayside Theatre at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 14. Calling all shy, lazy actors. No experience needed, no lines to memorize, no rehearsals, no stage directions or costumes. Just sit on the stage, read a part (or two or three, depending) and have fun. Scripts provided.

A new book about a fascinating man who moved to Monson in 1895 has caught the attention of historians and reviewers on a national scale. Based on a true story “Hermit: The Mysterious Life of Jim Whyte” by Maine author and historian Jeffrey Ryan, weaves a tale almost too fantastic to be believed.

A six-week Introduction to Drawing class will be offered at The Commons at Central Hall from 4 to 6 p.m. on Fridays from July 12 to Aug. 16. There will also be a Young at Heart Rounds Singing Class, led by Lauralyn Buie, offered from 11 a.m. to noon on Fridays from July 12 to Aug. 16.

Upcoming events around the region.

A presentation and demonstration of low-stress cattle handling will be held at the Shaw Road Farm on Saturday, July 20 from noon to 3 pm. Dr. Colt Knight, UMaine Extension livestock specialist, will discuss the impact of handling cattle on their stress levels and participants will see Shaw Road Farm’s practices of separating beef animals from a herd of 50.

The Sebec Village Associates will have a day of events on the Fourth of July next week, with proceeds benefiting the Reading Room. The day on Thursday, July 4 starts with a breakfast at the Sebec Village Community Christian Church at 7:30 a.m.

Women who own or manage farmland in central Maine are invited to participate in a free conservation discussion focused on soil health on Thursday, July 11 at Hall’s Christmas Tree Farm, 816 Douty Hill Road. The program, sponsored by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Women, Food and Agriculture Network, is called Women Caring for the Land.

Love a great deal? Want to stretch you summer budget? Forget coupons and Groupon and shopping apps, the best -- most valuable -- bargains can be found at the Thompson Free Library in Dover-Foxcroft. This July, banish boredom with free programs for all ages.

Attention veterans and surviving spouses of veterans, on Wednesdays during the month of July the American Legion service officer will be at American Legion Post 41, 18 West Main Street, from 1-4 p.m.

The newest item of interest to the general public is the receipt of two DVDS featuring home movies compiled by John and Joe Michaud (sons of Andrew Michaud). One of these videos shows scenes in Brownville Junction and people of the area; the second is video of scenes along the Canadian Pacific Railroad from Quebec, through Maine and into New Brunswick. These home movies were made by Andrew Michaud and his dad Sam Michaud from 1939 through the 1950s. These can be found on YouTube.com.