Currently the younger students at Penquis Valley Middle School have little more than a decades-old basketball court and a small area with a pile of dirt and two roads going right by to use for recess but a group of educators, parents and community members are working to change this with a new playground.

Pine Tree Hospice participated in the 17th annual Maine Nonprofit Day at the Statehouse on Tuesday, Feb. 11. Nonprofit Day provides an opportunity for nonprofits and government to assert their commitment to working together in order to creatively, efficiently and effectively serve the people of Maine.

From 7-10 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 21 there will be a Contra Dance at The Commons at Central Hall. This a change, for this month only, from our usual second Fridays.

You are invited to attend Pine Tree Hospice’s “It’s All About You” from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 7 at the Guilford United Methodist Church. All area caregivers will have the opportunity to be pampered through massage therapy, manicures, guided meditation, Reiki and more.

On Feb. 5 the Sangerville Public Library hosted Chewonki's StarLab at Piscataquis Community Elementary School for all fifth-graders. StarLab is a portable, inflatable planetarium that introduces features of the night sky and explains how stars are formed. It also shows us human history with the constellations above, from early mythological characters to modern navigation.

Growing Through Grief meets on the third Tuesday of each month, September through May, from 1-3 p.m. in Dover-Foxcroft.The grief support group, presentation and delicious dessert are free of charge. Participants must pre-register by calling Pine Tree Hospice at 207-564-4346.

The first session in this program series is our Snowshoe Adventure at the Law Farm from 12:30-3:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 21. There is a snow day for this event, Saturday, Feb. 22 with the same time and location. Registration is required and open for this fun outdoor program.

Local NAMI leaders Jane Fairchild, Beth Ranagan and Joe Ranagan presented at the Dover-Foxcroft AARP Coffee Talk on Jan. 28 at Central Hall in Dover-Foxcroft.

February is American Heart Month, and as a leading community-based organization dedicated to improving the nation’s health, the Piscataquis Regional YMCA is offering a Fit February Challenge to help families in Piscataquis County be heart healthy. Participants will receive heart healthy tips and be encouraged to complete a variety of fun and healthy activities to receive entries into prize drawings throughout the month.

Growing Through Grief meets on the third Tuesday of each month, September through May, from 1-3 p.m. in Dover-Foxcroft. The grief support group, presentation and delicious dessert are free of charge. Participants must pre-register by calling Pine Tree Hospice at 207-564-4346.

Tisbury Manor Chapter NSDAR, based in Monson, has welcomed 111 members since the chapter began on Nov. 14, 1952. Tisbury Manor is excited to join the National Society in celebrating this milestone by spotlighting members of the chapter through the years.

Another year is here and it’s time for genealogists to consider resolutions.  Devoting more time to genealogy is a good place to start especially if you have problems finding time for research.  One of my first columns dealt with finding time for genealogy. If you’re like me a huge list of tasks prevents you from researching as much as you’d like.  The usual suspects are family, volunteerism, offices or committee work. If you’re not finding time for your favorite hobby, then you are likely overwhelmed with no “me” time left over.  

A Community Connection Day, an event for anyone who wants to get out, enjoy the company of others, have a great homemade lunch and have fun with games, cards and activities throughout the year meets the second Tuesday of the month at the JD Foundation Office, 107 Main Road in Abbot. For more call 207-343-1732.

At 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 5 in  the Mayo Regional Hospital conference room, the Wassabec Genealogy Chapter will be holding a business meeting and program. The program will be well known genealogist Nancy Battick who will be discussing how to research probate records and deeds.

Growing Through Grief is one of Pine Tree Hospice’s bereavement programs for adults. The Growing Through Grief program begins with a facilitated grief support group which is then followed by a presentation or workshop.

Eleven members of the General Federation of Women’s (GFWC)/Miosac Club attended a Christmas party at the beautifully decorated home of Barb Austin. Members brought something sweet or savory to share.

Just in time for a holiday outing, the beloved Louisa May Alcott class, “Little Women” comes to the Center Theatre stage as a musical adaptation. Written 150 years ago, the tale of sisters Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy March is generating extra buzz this year, both because of the anniversary and because the new movie of the same name debuts this month.

The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a women’s service organization whose members can trace their lineage to an individual who contributed to securing American independence during the Revolutionary War. More than one million total members have now joined the organization since its founding in 1890.