Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, pews across Maine were empty during live-streamed Masses at parishes across the state for Holy Week and Easter Sunday (April 12). That was not the case at Holy Family Church in Greenville, thanks to the inspired creativity of parish staff looking to offer support to Fr. Aaron Damboise, pastor of the parish as well as St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Jackman.

At a University of Maine commencement years ago, a good friend, Al, received his Ph.D. and was “hooded” by my husband, his adviser. When Al’s name was called he made his way painfully across the stage on crutches, losing his mortarboard on the way. The entire audience let out a spontaneous “Oh.” Al received the loudest applause of the afternoon. 

The Dover-Foxcroft Congregational Church will live stream the 9:20 a.m. Sunday worship service.

Out of concern for the health and well-being of Partners for Peace staff, volunteers and the survivors and community members we serve, all Partners for Peace in-person services will continue to be “on pause” at least until May 1 or until further notice. Our 24-hour helpline will remain open and available to anyone affected by abuse or violence, including community partners, at 1-800-863-9909.

With 9,053 coronavirus deaths as of the start of April, Spain trailed only nearby Italy among nations with the most fatalities stemming from the current global pandemic. That grim reality leaves 14-year-old Lucia De Villota uneasy.

One additional new program available to people in the region who are self-isolating at home or anyone who is having trouble doing grocery shopping due to concerns about risk, illness or disability is called Community Pulling Together. This is a program funded partly with a small grant from The New England Grassroots Environment Fund COVID-19 response program awarded to The Commons Energy Collaborative.

The board of directors for Three Rivers Kiwanis of Milo/Brownville have decided to suspend Wednesday meetings through April 27 due to COVID-19.

Rep. Norm Higgins, I-Dover-Foxcroft, left, and Sen. Paul Davis, R-Sangerville presented a Legislative Sentiment to Ethelyn Treworgy and Jeanne Hamlin in memory of Charles Edwin Treworgy.

University of Maine Cooperative Extension created a user-friendly webpage featuring links to recently completed resources related to COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

The March 3 meeting of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC)/Miosac Club was held at Thayer Parkway. The evening's hostesses were Wendy Hutchins and Roxy McGlauflin.  The program chairm was Minnie McCormick.

The General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC)/MIOSAC Club meeting for Feb. 4 was held at Thayer Parkway. President Suzanne Raymond called the meeting to order with 11 members present. Diane Leighton and Brenda Quiet were hostesses for the evening. Program chairman was Wendy Hutchins.

The Piscataquis Regional YMCA is pleased to announce the appointment of Mandy Adams as its new executive director/CEO, effective March 11. Adams was selected by the Y’s CEO search committee, following a 3-month search.

The Clarks agreed to a $10,000 sale price with Friends of Community Fitness covering the $2,300 closing costs, allowing Friends of Community Fitness to officially become building owners as of Nov. 22. The now permanent home was recognized with a “Keys to the Building Celebration” on the morning of Saturday, Feb. 29 with Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Denise Buzzelli presenting a symbolic oversized key.

Valley Grange of Guilford is sponsoring a blanket-making event from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 28 and volunteers are needed. Organizer Pat Engstrom notes “no sewing skills are needed. If you can measure, cut a straight line with scissors and tie a simple knot you can become a ‘blanketeer’ and help support Project Linus.”

At 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11 at The Commons at Central Hall, NAMI Piscataquis County will host a video presentation entitled, “Meditation and Prayer: How Spiritual Practices Can Be Powerful Tools to Overcome Depression and Anxiety.”

At 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 12, Chris Clukey, MA, CCC-A, certified audiologist from Dover Audiology, will speak at the Dexter Age-Friendly Tea Talks at Gatherings 4 Maine Street.

This month, from compelling fiction to special programs to wonderful artwork, the Thompson Free Library in Dover-Foxcroft taps into a wellspring of empathy.

Did you have an ancestor who changed his or her name? This was quite common in the past. If our ancestors didn’t like their given name and preferred a nickname or middle name, they usually didn’t feel the need to legalize a name change in a court of law as we do today. They just went ahead and used whatever they preferred.