On Wednesday, Aug. 14 at 1 p.m. at The Commons at Central Hall, NAMI Piscataquis County will present the first in the Depression and Anxiety Secrets series entitled “SSRIs, Antidepressants, and Alternative Remedies: Understanding Your Options.”

On Wednesday, Aug. 21 at 2 p.m. the Abbott Memorial Library in Dexter will be hosting one of the Chewonki’s Foundation’s most popular traveling natural history programs “Owls of Maine.”

The Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District has opened registration for final sessions in its popular Families in the Outdoors series. Families in the Outdoors was started in 2018 from a grant received by the Davis Conservation Foundation. The goal of this program is to engage with families outdoors and provide fun, educational opportunities to learn and play together.

Have you ever wondered about the stone wall you found when walking through the woods? Have you questioned why anyone would build a wall in the woods? Many of your questions will be answered on Thursday, Aug. 8 at the Abbott Museum on Church Street in Dexter. Kevin Gardner of Hopkinton, New Hampshire will present a program on the history of New England stone walls.

The peak months for shark activity in New England waters are August and September. To celebrate this annual event, the Abbott Memorial Library in Dexter will be showing the 1975 classic film about a giant man-eating great white shark that attacks beachgoers in a New England summer resort town. Directed by Steven Spielberg, the film stars Roy Scheider and Richard Dreyfuss.

Pollinators are vital to food production all over the world. In Maine, examples of well-known pollinators include butterflies, birds, beetles and of course, bees. In June, the Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District (PCSWCD) worked with local volunteers to plant its “Pollinator Sunflower Garden,” a garden space for the public to enjoy, observe and learn about native pollinators. In celebration of this new addition to the Law Farm, the PCSWCD will be holding a free Pollinators! event on Friday, Aug. 16 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Law Farm.

Upcoming events around the region.

To celebrate the 150th anniversary of Louisa May Alcott’s beloved book, the Center Theatre for the Performing Arts in Dover-Foxcroft is producing “Little Women the Broadway Musical” (music by Jason Howland, lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, book by Allan Knee.) The Center Theatre is seeking both a motivated director and music director, or someone with the energy and skills to do both.

University of Maine Cooperative Extension will offer a food preservation hands-on workshop on Tuesday, Aug. 6 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Piscataquis County office, 165 East Main Street.

On Tuesday, Aug. 6 at 6:30 p.m. the Abbot Historical Society will host the H.J. Crosby Band at the Abbot Town Hall for an outdoor concert. In case of rain the band will play inside at 7 p.m. Following the concert there will be a free ice cream social.

“I’m going to open doors for you, doors you never dreamed existed.” Rosalind Russell utters those memorable words as she ascends her impossibly lavish and dramatic staircase in the final scene of the wonderful film “Auntie Mame.” This August promises to open new doors -- for all ages -- at the Thompson Free Library in Dover-Foxcroft.

Code Maine Coding Academy, based in Dover-Foxcroft, is offering a 9-month, tuition-free coding program to any high school graduate residing in Maine. The aim of this nonprofit organization is to train Maine residents to learn valuable technical skills for rewarding lifelong careers.

Summertime in Maine is typified by fairs and festivals featuring fun, food and raffles. This year at Dexter’s Hot Dog Festival on Saturday, Aug. 10, the Dexter Public Health Association will raffle a summery quilt called “Sidewalk Chalk” by its creator, Rosemarie O’Toole.

Saturday, Aug. 3 will be the eighth annual Minnie Welts Bridge Memorial Scholarship Supper, sponsored by Parkman Grange from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Grange Hall. The supper, featuring smoked pork loin, baked beans, salads, cake and ice cream, is open to the public by donation. All monies will go to the Minnie Welts Bridge Memorial Scholarship Fund -- the 2019 scholarships will be awarded that evening.

Upcoming events around the region.

One thing I noticed years ago after moving to Piscataquis County was the large presence of “crafters” and artists. Coming from New York City I thought at the time it was quaint, a feature of rural living. But I now see it not only as a part of rural culture, but also as a significant element in maintaining longevity and health.

David Dodson and The Lowdown will play their folk, rock, blues, jazz and country music at 7 p.m. at the Wayside Theatre at 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 27. Tickets are $12. The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. No reservations are needed.

The Sangerville Public Library has announced the winners of the scavenger hunt which took place the week of June 24.