With the HAD 4 board of directors voting 15-3 last month to start a merger with Northern Light Health, Mayo Regional Hospital officials are looking to hold four public information nights across the region to share details of the process and hear from residents and answer their questions. One session is tentatively scheduled for 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2 in the Morton Avenue Municipal Building Gymnasium.

The Narrow Gauge Riders Snowmobile Club of Monson is sponsoring the 2019 Lake Hebron Ice Out Contest. Guess the date and time the ice officially goes out of Lake Hebron and win $100.

Announcing the first Highlands Death Cafe, an opportunity for conversation about topics related to death while enjoying cake and refreshments. It will be held at The Commons at Central Hall from 1:30-2:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 17 and is open to anyone wishing to just be with others to talk about death-related issues.

You have so much to offer – and we need you! Would you like to help people and make a difference in your community? Pine Tree Hospice volunteers offer non-medical support to individuals and families in Piscataquis, Penobscot, and Somerset counties who are dealing with progressive, life-limiting illnesses and/or grief.

At The Commons at Central Hall, there exists a Tai Chi weekly program that aims to put health in your hands. Wayne Ripley, Tai Chi Master, wants everyone to view their body as a garden to be nurtured in every way every day rather than as a machine to be worked until it is broken.

Dr. Deborah Drew, professor and director of counseling and human relations at Husson University and clinical consultant for Pine Tree Hospice will be addressing this topic at the next session of Lunch n’ Learn. Lunch ‘n Learn will take place Tuesday, March 19 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Dover-Foxcroft and is part of Pine Tree Hospice’s adult grief support program.

The public is cordially invited to this year's Dexter Regional High School spring musical “Annie, Jr.” from March 21-23 in the cafeteria. This shortened version of the well-loved musical includes the well known story of the plucky and positive orphan Annie and all the songs you know in only 60 minutes.

The Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District (PCSWCD) is calling all artists! The PCSWCD is holding a poster contest for its children’s garden at the Law Farm.

The Center Theatre is closed for three weeks for renovations. However, you can come see the progress, watch a great movie and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime event at the Center Theatre if you attend one of the two showings of the “Titanic Pizza Event” scheduled for 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 16.

This expo will be taking place at Dexter Regional High School from 3 to 7 p.m. with concessions available. Come join us for an afternoon of STEAM related fun and learning. All ages welcome.

On Thursday, March 14 from 5-7 p.m. Sackett & Brake Survey, Inc. of Dover-Foxcroft will hold a Business After Hours Mixer for the business community and general public. As the Piscataquis Chamber’s first Business After Hours of 2019, this event will provide Chamber members and local residents an opportunity to rub elbows with other local business owners in a casual setting, while learning more about other businesses and providers in Piscataquis County.

Upcoming events around the region.

Partners for Peace, a domestic violence resource center, will host a 44-hour training in Dover-Foxcroft for anyone interested in volunteering with the organization. The first session begins Thursday, March 28.

Miller’s “Healing in Wholeness” presentation via video will reveal his extensive understanding and experience in the field of trauma recovery. Sponsored by NAMI Piscataquis County and part of the Sounds True Healing Trauma Summit, this program will occur on Thursday, March 14 at 1 p.m. at The Commons at Central Hall in Dover-Foxcroft.

The Highlands Classical Chamber Ensemble will appear in concert at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 10 at the Dover-Foxcroft Congregational Church located at 824 West Main Street. Admission is by donation. For more information, please call 564-0043.

Fermentation as a method of food preservation is an increasingly popular topic, and Dexter Dover Area Towns in Transition (DDATT) is pleased that Mary Margaret Ripley (of Dover Foxcroft’s Ripley Farm) will share her fermenting knowledge and experience at a “Kombucha” workshop 10 a.m. Saturday morning, March 9 at Dexter’s Abbott Memorial Library.

Advance care planning isn’t just for those with life-limiting illnesses – but for all of us. Pine Tree Hospice is offering a free informative seminar at the First Unitarian Universalist Church, 17 Church Street, on Saturday, March 16, from 9:30 a.m. to noon.

The Center Theatre recently announced that registration is open for all the 2019 drama camps, including a new two-week drama camp being offered in Monson. The Theatre is also offering an April vacation camp at Central Hall in Dover-Foxcroft as well as the two classic drama camps taking place at the East Sangerville Grange.