Shopping from home just got more fun! Pine Tree Hospice’s “Bid It To Win It” Facebook auction will have you on the edge of your seats. We will auction heirloom-quality works created by staff, volunteers and others close to the organization, people you know, for a very special fundraising event for Pine Tree Hospice.  Needlework, mixed media, photography, stained glass, woodwork and more will be posted on Pine Tree Hospice’s Facebook page beginning on Monday, May 18.

The SAD 4 school board gave approval to a 2020-21 budget totaling $7,397,862 during a May 12 meeting conducted remotely. The directors also scheduled the district budget meeting for Thursday, June 25 -- time to be announced at Piscataquis Community Elementary School. The total approved that evening will then be moved to a referendum for a “yes” or “no” vote on Tuesday, July 14 in the district member towns of Abbot, Cambridge, Guilford, Parkman, Sangerville and Wellington.

The Moosehead Lake Region Economic Development Corporation proudly announces the name of the new waterfront park at 3 Lakeview Street in downtown Greenville – Crafts Landing and Park. Park Planning Committee members Tom Watt, a senior at Greenville High School whose grandparents lived across the street from the park, and EJ Richardson, the property owner and our partner on this project reviewed the history of the property and recommended its name.

If you are a caregiver of people younger than 22 years of age who are experiencing an emotional or behavioral disorder, NAMI Maine is offering the National Alliance on Mental Illness signature course, NAMI Basics, that you might find helpful.  The course will be delivered online, via Zoom, free of charge.  Classes begin Thursday, May 28 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and run for six consecutive weeks.

On the list of "least welcome critters," many Mainers would put the porcupine somewhere between ticks and skunks. Dan Crocker of Exeter said he's never had much use for them, either. That's beginning to change, at least a little bit for him though, thanks to a baby albino porcupine that he's been seeing on his property.

Teachers from all 16 of Maine’s counties were honored May 14 in a virtual announcement that was broadcast live on the Maine Department of Education Facebook page. Piscataquis Community High School English instructor Jessica Gregory was named the 2020 Piscataquis County Teacher of the Year.

University of Maine Cooperative Extension and the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry will offer two free webinars Thursday, May 21, in support of National Invasive Species Awareness Week. Invasive plant biologist Nancy Olmstead will teach “Invasive Plant Ecology and Identification” from 9–10 a.m. and “Invasive Plant Management” from noon–1 p.m.

Bissell Brothers Brewing had a product to sell in late March but suddenly lacked the most direct method of distribution -- its taprooms in southern and central Maine.

University of Maine Cooperative Extension is launching a food preservation webinar series at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 26. The weekly series continues through Oct. 27. 

In a unique arrangement, four diverse Maine organizations are teaming up to address hunger relief and support Maine dairy farmers. Good Shepherd Food Bank, Pineland Farms Dairy Company, Libra Foundation and Dairy Farmers of America, will distribute thousands of pounds of cheese to food insecure Mainers through Maine’s emergency food distribution network.

The RSU 68 school board approved a proposed budget totaling  $11,970,877 for the 2020-21 academic year, during a May 12 meeting at the SeDoMoCha School streamed live via YouTube. The directors also scheduled the annual district budget meeting for Tuesday, June 23.

Jokingly referred to as the “Maine State Bird,” black flies are one aspect of the Maine outdoors that most people would prefer didn’t exist. Dotting the air in early spring, these tiny bugs have an annoying habit of flying into people’s eyes and ears. And their bites can be especially itchy.

The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting all facets of the nation’s economy, including government coffers at the state and municipal level. Dover-Foxcroft officials are anticipating a near $212,000 combined shortfall between state revenue sharing and excise tax but adjustments have been made in the 2020-21 town budget.

The virtual announcement will be streamed live on the Maine Department of Education Facebook page. The pictures and a recording of the presentation will also be available after the announcement.

More than 60 Maine nonprofits have received nearly $900,000 from Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation for COVID-19 relief efforts, including Maine Highlands Senior Center dba The Commons at Central Hall of Dover-Foxcroft and Penquis.

Join the Piscatquis County Soil and Water Conservation District (PCSWCD) from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  on Wednesday, June 3 to learn about invasive plant ecology, impacts, identification and management with presenter Nancy Olmstead, invasive plant biologist from the Maine Natural Areas Program in the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.

The Center Theatre announced that it will be giving one side of the marquee over to congratulatory messages to Foxcroft Academy graduating seniors starting on Sunday, June 21. One hour slots can be reserved from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday the 21st through Friday the 26th.

Yet a steady stream of customers made their way to opening day of the new season at Butterfield’s Ice Cream in Dover-Foxcroft for a hearty scoop of the iconic parlor’s handmade, hard-serve ice cream -- perhaps as a cool change of pace from recent daily routines fraught with COVID-19 concerns.