By Marie Weidmayer, Bangor Daily News Staff BANGOR — For Marilou “LuLu” Ranta, winning a James Beard award wasn’t nearly as exciting as the morning she spent at the federal courthouse.

As summer approaches and classes come to an end, many students are excited to take a break from learning.

WASHINGTON, D.

By Kathleen O’Brien, Bangor Daily News Staff DEXTER — One of the state’s major health care providers will close a Dexter-based facility next month.

MILO — Three Rivers Kiwanis’ annual yard sale and auction is coming on Friday, Aug.

MONSON — There will be a Finn Dance at Monson’s Finn Hall on Route 15, 467 Tenney Hill Road, at 7 p.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Babysitting is a rewarding way for pre-teens and teens to gain valuable work experience and earn extra money.

MONSON — Twelve members of the Piscataquis Region Retired Educators Association and two guests met July 23 at the Lakeshore Pub in Monson for the monthly meeting.

Contributed photoABBOT REUNION — The Abbot annual school reunion was held July 28 at the town hall with about 40 in attendance.

WASHINGTON, D.

WASHINGTON, D.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Dover Low Vision Group will be meeting at the Central Hall Commons, 152 E Main Street, from 10-11:30 a.

By Elizabeth Walztoni, Bangor Daily News Staff The walls of a straw house are under construction in a former boat shop at a Rockland industrial park.

By Christopher Burns, Bangor Daily News Staff Maine saw home sales fall in June, snapping a four-month climb.

ABBOT — The Abbot Historical Society will be hosting a free band concert at the Abbot Town Hall at 6 p.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The new school year will be here before we know it, and there’s a lot to think about: school supplies, healthy lunches and snacks, required vaccines, bedtime routines, and more.

Penquis C.

MILO — Thursday, Aug.