The steamship Katahdin is as much a part of Greenville as Moosehead Lake itself. The ship has been a fixture on the lake for more than 100 years. Recently, however, she has experienced some major challenges.

On Saturday, Dec. 7 the Abbott Memorial Library will be celebrating the holiday season by hosting its annual Christmas Tea. The festivities begin at 2 p.m. The Euphonium Pandemoniums will be providing live Christmas music.

Many of us receive emails (or snail mails, for that matter) from unexpected sources and immediately file them as “trash,” without even taking time to look them over. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is encouraging Mainers to pay close attention to a survey that may be heading their way, and hopes those surveys are filled out and returned, rather than tossed away.

The Kris Kringle's Market Committee is gearing up for its 35th annual Kris Kringle's Market from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7 at the Monson Gym. Kris Kringle's Market offers a variety of crafts (aprons, furniture, fabric items, jewelry, etc.), homemade food and wreaths plus more for sale.

Denise Webb won the Maine trivia contest at the monthly Tea Talks on Nov. 14 at Gatherings 4 Main Street. For her knowledge, Webb received a fresh flower arrangement contributed by Spring Street Greenhouse.

For three and a half decades Pine Tree Hospice has served individuals and families, free of charge, during the time of dying and bereavement. The organization’s volunteers assist through all life changes -- as stated with the theme “Seasons of Change” on the cover of the 2019 annual report -- and those involved with and contributing to Pine Tree Hospice were honored during the annual meeting Thursday, Nov. 21 at the Dover-Foxcroft Congregational Church.

A railway company that owns tracks stretching through much of Canada and parts of the northern U.S. will buy Bangor-based Central Maine and Quebec Railway by the end of the year, adding 481 miles of track in Quebec and Maine to its network. Canadian Pacific Railway, based in Calgary, Alberta, will buy Central Maine and Quebec Railway from its parent company, New York-based Fortress Transportation and Infrastructure Investors LLC.

A week before the holiday, students at Piscataquis Community Elementary School enjoyed a Thanksgiving meal and were able to personally thank their teachers and school staff members.

Upcoming events around the region.

Back in October, I was pleased to share the stage for my book launch with Maine Secretary of State Matt Dunlap, an outdoors enthusiast I’ve known for more than 35 years, since the high school days when our respective track teams competed against each other.

The Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC) is pleased to announce confirmation of the appointment of Judy East as incoming executive director. East, a Washington County resident, brings over three decades of rural land use planning and conservation experience to LUPC.

The newest Students of the Month at PCES include fifth-graders Hailey Chambers, Olivia Goodwin and Desirae Maloon; Brady Ball and Molly Goodwin representing grade 6; grade 7 honorees Jordan Brown, Gavin Chase and Gabby Koscielny; and eighth-graders Braylin Bilodeau, Scott Chadbourne, Zachariah Demmer and Beau Talbot.

The Piscataquis County Ice Arena announced that the Center Theatre is sponsoring a free public skating session at the arena from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 29. Members of the cast of the upcoming production of “Little Women” will be on hand in Victorian costume to skate and help with the evening. Skates will be available for rental from the arena will also have the concessions stand open for snacks

The Commons at Central Hall currently needs volunteers to participate in programs, events and light custodial work. We are seeking qualified volunteers to work with us on an as needed basis. Volunteer hours can be made available to fit your interests and skills. Brief background check will be needed for all volunteers.

Gov. Janet Mills arrived in Greenville on Thursday afternoon, Nov. 14, to view the future home of the Dockside Inn and Tavern on the lakefront downtown, as part of her rural economic development discussions being held statewide. Mills had just come from Monson, where she visited the Monson Arts area, created in part by the Libra Foundation, and spoke with Monson businesses.

If you are a daily print reader, you may have accumulated a fair number of old newspaper that have been sitting in your house for days (or weeks … or even months).

When the winter winds come blowing in and temperatures hover in the single digits, cooking and consuming great food warms the tummy and the soul.

Traveling along the bank of Musquash Stream in Nahmakanta Public Lands, a scenic hiking trail visits a series of small waterfalls before turning back into the forest and forming a small loop. This 0.9-mile trail is one of the many hikes located on the state-owned property, which encompasses 43,000 acres about halfway between Moosehead and Millinocket.