In 1820 Maine became the 23rd state, separating from Massachusetts, and the Grand Lodge of Masons in Maine was established. The first Governor of the State of Maine, William King, was also the first Grand Master of Masons in Maine. In recognition and celebration of these historic events Chris Russell, District Deputy Grand Master of Maine’s 5th Masonic District, has organized a celebration for Saturday, Oct. 5 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Piscataquis Valley Fairgrounds.

On Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 1 p.m. at The Commons at Central Hall, “The Effect of Toxicity on Mental Health and Cognitive Decline and How to Overcome It” will be presented by NAMI Piscataquis County. This video will examine the extent of the toxicity problem today and share the natural and safe ways to detoxify your body to improve your mental and overall health. This program is free and open to anyone interested in the topic.

We walk around with a computer in our back pocket. We have answers to almost any question, almost instantly. Information is literally at our fingertips. But what’s missing? Human interaction. The small moments. This October, the Thompson Free Library in offers so many ways to interact and connect, to be heard and to listen -- and to have fun.

On Thursday, Oct. 10 from 10 until 11:30 a.m. the Dexter Age-Friendly Community Committee will hold its first "Tea Talks" session at the "Gathering 4 Main Street" community center at 4 Main Street.

Since opening more than a year ago, Head to Tails Family Pet Store proprietor Liz Martin has worked to provide local pet owners with all their needed supplies, saving them a trip out of town, and potential pet owners with additions to their homes. Fish, reptiles, small mammals and birds are available and with all the necessary educational information to ensure everyone is happy after leaving the store.

Peter M. Smith, president of the Maine Genealogical Society, will be the featured speaker at the Sunday, Oct. 6 meeting of the Wassebec Genealogical Society, to be held at 2 p.m. in the Piscataquis Room at Mayo Regional Hospital.

Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis Charities announces that the Kiwanis Park pond, directly adjacent to the Piscataquis Regional YMCA, has been stocked with trout for the month of October for the fishing pleasure of ages 15 and under.

The Dover-Foxcroft Historical Society will be holding its final meeting of 2019 on Wednesday evening, Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. The meeting will be held at The Commons at Central Hall.

Fall is just around the corner and the Piscataquis Regional YMCA is excited to announce a refreshed fall schedule, including new fitness classes, personal training, health and safety programs and the 2019 Sportsman’s Raffle.

Since 1923, the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR or DAR) has been awarding scholarships to help students attain higher education and achieve their career aspirations. There are a variety of scholarships for students pursuing different idea of study such as history, education, nursing, medicine, science, math and law. The amount DAR awarded last year was over $250,000.

Pine Tree Hospice brings your second chance to be named the trivia master of Piscataquis County. This fun event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. at The Commons at Central Hall, 152 East Main Street.

Girl Scouts of Maine announced that it will host new member sign-up events for potential members and volunteers at locations throughout the state every month, including at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 19 at the Ridge View Community School.

Thirteen General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC)/Miosac Club members gathered at the home of Roxy McGlauflin for a porch party dinner meeting. It was a lovely meeting and club members got to watch the deer in the backyard. McGlaufin, Brenda Quiet and Betsey Ryan served as hostesses. Members brought dishes to share and all were enjoyed.

The Dexter Historical Society and the Abbott Memorial Library will hold a ceremony on Sunday, Sept. 22 at 2 p.m. to rededicate the memorial urn at the foot of the Dexter’s Civil War Monument.

Released in 2017, Three Beliefs (www.portlanddiocese.org/threebeliefs) is a document that offers Maine Catholics valuable assistance, guidance and information regarding end-of-life issues. Suzanne Lafreniere, the public policy director for the Diocese of Portland, will offer free presentations at Maine parishes to discuss the document and help Catholics understand the Church’s teaching on the topic. One such presentation will be at the Holy Family Church at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 16.

Beginning on Tuesday, Sept, 17 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and continuing for six consecutive weekly sessions, residents of greater Piscataquis County will have the opportunity to learn about essential oils from Marcia Walden, BSN, RN, and one of three registered aroma therapists in Maine. Walden is well-known throughout the region as a home-health and hospice nurse associated with Community Health and Counseling. She shares her essential oil healing expertise with her patients in her clinical work.

The Dover Low Vision Group will meet at the Thayer Parkway Community Room, 33 Thayer Parkway, from 10-11:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 6. Leon Vlasak will talk about his self employment.

The first Growing Through Grief group will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 17 from 1-3 p.m. in Dover Foxcroft. Creative play coach, life stress reduction facilitator and local artist Terri Kelley Palin will facilitate the workshop/presentation portion of the program and will be addressing “artful grief.” Allowing grief to be expressed through creative processes can be incredibly healing and fulfilling and may even open new channels of creativity.