The Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District has opened registration for final sessions in its popular Families in the Outdoors series. Families in the Outdoors was started in 2018 from a grant received by the Davis Conservation Foundation. The goal of this program is to engage with families outdoors and provide fun, educational opportunities to learn and play together.

On Tuesday evening, July 30 nearly 40 people gathered at the Brownville Community Church to view home movies recorded in Brownville Junction and along both the Canadian Pacific and the Bangor & Aroostook rail lines by Sam Michaud and his son Andrew in the 1940s and 1950s.

Pollinators are vital to food production all over the world. In Maine, examples of well-known pollinators include butterflies, birds, beetles and of course, bees. In June, the Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District (PCSWCD) worked with local volunteers to plant its “Pollinator Sunflower Garden,” a garden space for the public to enjoy, observe and learn about native pollinators. In celebration of this new addition to the Law Farm, the PCSWCD will be holding a free Pollinators! event on Friday, Aug. 16 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Law Farm.

The annual Piscataquis River Festival returned to Guilford on Saturday with a morning parade celebrating the theme “Got Wood?”

The Tisbury Manor Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution welcomed a new member at the June meeting. Nancy Trogdon joined, proving her lineage to Revolutionary War veteran Thomas Taylor from North Carolina who provided civil service to the new nation by serving as a juror and overseer of the roads.

On Tuesday, Aug. 6 at 6:30 p.m. the Abbot Historical Society will host the H.J. Crosby Band at the Abbot Town Hall for an outdoor concert. In case of rain the band will play inside at 7 p.m. Following the concert there will be a free ice cream social.

“I’m going to open doors for you, doors you never dreamed existed.” Rosalind Russell utters those memorable words as she ascends her impossibly lavish and dramatic staircase in the final scene of the wonderful film “Auntie Mame.” This August promises to open new doors -- for all ages -- at the Thompson Free Library in Dover-Foxcroft.

Summertime in Maine is typified by fairs and festivals featuring fun, food and raffles. This year at Dexter’s Hot Dog Festival on Saturday, Aug. 10, the Dexter Public Health Association will raffle a summery quilt called “Sidewalk Chalk” by its creator, Rosemarie O’Toole.

Saturday, Aug. 3 will be the eighth annual Minnie Welts Bridge Memorial Scholarship Supper, sponsored by Parkman Grange from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Grange Hall. The supper, featuring smoked pork loin, baked beans, salads, cake and ice cream, is open to the public by donation. All monies will go to the Minnie Welts Bridge Memorial Scholarship Fund -- the 2019 scholarships will be awarded that evening.

The Hibbard Skilled Nursing Center and Dexter Healthcare, in Cooperation with Piscataquis Valley Adult Education Cooperative, recently recognized the most recently graduated CNA class.

The Penquis Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Council collaborated with local businesses and The Piscataquis County Sheriff's Department on Saturday, July 13, to host a one-of-a-kind diaper drive featuring the movie “Spider-man: Far From Home.” When families arrived with their diaper donations, they were greeted by Spider-Man himself.

One thing I noticed years ago after moving to Piscataquis County was the large presence of “crafters” and artists. Coming from New York City I thought at the time it was quaint, a feature of rural living. But I now see it not only as a part of rural culture, but also as a significant element in maintaining longevity and health.

Two videos compiled from home movies shot from 1939 into the 1950s around Brownville/Brownville Junction and Maine railroads are available on Youtube under “Michaud family home movies” and will be screened at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 30 at the Brownville-Brownville Junction Historical Society’s Parish House Museum on Church Street.

Pine Tree Hospice invites children ages 8 through 12 to explore an alternative to “talking through grief” in this free 90-minute workshop facilitated by Terri Kelley Palin a local artist, creative play coach and life stress reduction facilitator. No artistic skills are required.

Around 400 teenagers and adults will arrive in Dexter on Sunday, July 21 to work on and improve the homes of elderly, disabled and other area residents. The volunteers will work on various projects from July 22-26.

The General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC)/Miosac Club recently served the community dinner at the Dover-Foxcroft Congregational Church. Chef Dave Leighton prepared a delicious chop suey with green beans and hot biscuits. Club members provided bars and cookies. Members also worked in the kitchen and as servers and greeters.

A blacksmith demonstration will be held at Dunham Forge, 107 Dawes Road, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 13. The guest blacksmith will be Dwight King from Orrington.

Eighteen members of the Piscataquis County Retired Educators met Tuesday, June 25 for a delicious luncheon at The Lakeshore House. Registered Maine Guide and founder of Actor Earth Ways Wendy Weiger shared information on transforming lives while healing Earth. She offers programs on mindful nature walks, nature-focused meditation and celebrations of the seasons. She recently has authored her first book “Heaven Beneath Our Feet.” Though her job at the Appalachian Trail Center in Monson focuses on educating trail hikers, she shared a dozen or more helpful tips for safe, doable hikes for retirees.