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.

The Sebec Village Associates will be operating the community library at the Reading Room, 665 Sebec Village Road, again this summer. There are no fees to borrow books and media from the library which boasts an extensive collection of fiction and nonfiction.

The Abbott Memorial Library board of trustees are pleased to announce new summer hours for the library’s Makerspace. Mrs. Millette will have the Makerspace open Tuesday to Friday from noon to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Upcoming events around the region.

Many of us think of yoga as a relaxing exercise to improve our health. Indeed, the practice offers many health benefits including flexibility and stress reduction. It also embraces mind-body activities including breath work paired with poses to achieve more overall wellness as well as meditation, which has been extensively researched to improve so many aspects of health.

A special evening of music with the Lovely Family will be Friday, June 29 at 7 p.m. (refreshments at 6:30 p.m.) at the Brownville Community Church as part of the church’s 200th anniversary celebration.

The Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District (PCSWCD) will be offering a showing of “Inhabit: A Permaculture Perspective,” a feature-length documentary introducing permaculture. Permaculture is a gardening design method that offers an ecological lens for solving issues related to agriculture, economics, governance, and more, and utilizes the patterns and resilient features observed in natural ecosystems.

The Monson Appalachian Trail Visitor Center is offering a mindful nature walk along the trail Saturday, June 29 from 10 a.m. to noon (rain date is July 6).

A Ten Cent Whoopie Pie Book Sale will be held in the meeting room of the Thompson Free Library at 186 East Main Street. The sale runs Thursday, June 20 2-7 p.m.; Friday, June 21 9 a.m. to­ 5 p.m.; and Saturday, June 22 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Proceeds from this sale are for children's programs.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The 10th anniversary Maine Whoopie Pie Festival will take place on Saturday, June 22 from 10 a.

Upcoming events around the region.

The Katahdin Valley Boys, one of Maine's most popular and respected bluegrass bands, return to the Wayside Theatre on Saturday, June 29 at 7 p.m.

The Guilford Memorial Library is pleased to be hosting local resident Dolores Curtis as she shares slides and stories from her recent travels to northern Italy. This free event is Wednesday, June 19 at 3 p.m.

An art show and reception will be from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 30 at the Millworks, LLC building at 16 Church Street. Featured artists are Wally Warren, Joe Kennedy and Nellie Kennedy. All three are long-time friends and neighbors living and producing art in Ripley.

Every time I drive by the depot in Greenville Junction where it perches jauntily alongside the tracks, I think of the icon that old building is, with its unique “witches hat” roof covering the ladies waiting room.